Drop Pitman Arm
A drop pitman arm lowers the drag link attachment point to match a lifted axle, reducing bumpsteer. Cheaper than crossover steering for moderate lifts.
A drop pitman arm adds 1.5-2.5" of drop to the steering box output, lowering the drag link's frame-side mount to better align with the lifted axle. This reduces drag link angle and bumpsteer without going to a full crossover conversion.
Drop pitman arms come from RuffStuff, Tuff Country, Skyjacker, and others, typically $80-150. They use the stock pitman arm splines so they bolt right onto the ZJ or XJ steering box. Different drop amounts suit different lift heights — match drop to lift roughly: 2.5" lift = 1.5" drop pitman, 4.5" lift = 2.5" drop pitman.
The trade-off: a drop pitman lowers steering ground clearance and exposes the drag link to more rock contact. For street-biased lifted XJs, it's a great cheap bumpsteer fix. For dedicated trail rigs at 5"+ lift, crossover steering is the better permanent solution.
Install: pitman arm puller required. Drain power steering fluid first. Bolt-on, ~30 minutes.
Why it works
- Cheap bumpsteer fix
- Bolt-in
- Pairs with HD drag link
Trade-offs
- Reduces steering ground clearance
- Limited effectiveness at very high lift
- Not as good as crossover
Tools required
- pitman arm puller
- large socket (1-1/8")
- torque wrench
Parts
| Part | Vendor | Est. price |
|---|---|---|
| Tuff Country drop pitman arm 2.5" | Tuff Country | ~$95 |
| RuffStuff drop pitman arm | RuffStuff Specialties | ~$110 |
Sources
Related
- Crossover Steering (High Steer) Conversion
- Heavy Duty Drag Link
- All Jeep Cherokee XJ guides & tools
- Browse the full DIY database
Written and maintained by an AZ wheeler and driveway wrencher. How we source guides. Always cross-reference your factory service manual — modifications affect vehicle safety and warranty. Work at your own risk.