Is this correct for a stock steering arm?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Don-T

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2022
Posts
64
Reaction score
66
Location
Vermont
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
383
I recently bought a '73 K10 that needs a lot of work. The truck came with a 6" lift on it. I have removed the lift and replaced it with springs that are closer to stock. I am now trying to get the steering sorted out. I have removed the steering arm for the lift and bought a stock steering arm from an Ebay seller. Now that I have set the stock arm in place I am not so sure it is the corrent arm. It doesn't seem to me that the tie rod end of the arm should be as close to the axle housing as it is giong to be. Take a look at the pictures and let me know if the arm looks correct, or do I have the wrong one. I would like to install the correct arm on not have to take it back off. If it is not the right arm, maybe someone can post a picture of the right one. Thanks for the help.



You must be registered for see images attach
You must be registered for see images attach
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,939
Reaction score
2,423
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
That's the correct stock arm, that shape is normal.

You didn't say what size lift you went to, if you use the stock style drag link it will have about a 1" fall from the pitman arm to the steering arm. Any more that 1" fall and you may need to get a steering arm spacer or an offset drag link.
 

Don-T

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2022
Posts
64
Reaction score
66
Location
Vermont
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
383
Sorry, I could have made that clearer. I have a set of springs from General Spring. They are supposed to be the stiffest stock spring they list. There are four leaves in the front springs. With the weight of the truck on them, they are flat. I don’t think the front will be more than an inch higher then stock. I believe the pitman arm is stock. It had an offset tie rod between the pitman arm and steering arm. I have ordered the stock parts for the link from the pitman arm to the steering arm, they have not come in yet. If I were to need a spacer, where would I be able to find one?
 

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,688
Reaction score
3,706
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
Yup... looks right to me

You must be registered for see images attach
 

nvrenuf

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2010
Posts
1,939
Reaction score
2,423
Location
Mobile, Al.
First Name
John
Truck Year
1991
Truck Model
K5
Engine Size
454
PartsMike is a good site and pretty reasonable - http://www.partsmike.com/index.php/products/1-pm0010-arm-spacer

Honestly, the spring arm in the pic looks close to a typical 2.5" lift spring. It could settle but I see the motor is in it so I doubt they'll come down a lot.

Once you think they've settled you can check the lift by measuring between the bottom of the frame and the top of the front axle tube, stock is about 8.5" so any amount greater than that is the lift.
 

Don-T

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2022
Posts
64
Reaction score
66
Location
Vermont
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
383
Yup... looks right to me

You must be registered for see images attach
It does look the same as your truck, except yours looks new.
 

Don-T

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2022
Posts
64
Reaction score
66
Location
Vermont
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
383
PartsMike is a good site and pretty reasonable - http://www.partsmike.com/index.php/products/1-pm0010-arm-spacer

Honestly, the spring arm in the pic looks close to a typical 2.5" lift spring. It could settle but I see the motor is in it so I doubt they'll come down a lot.

Once you think they've settled you can check the lift by measuring between the bottom of the frame and the top of the front axle tube, stock is about 8.5" so any amount greater than that is the lift.
Thanks for the info. I lowered the truck back down on the front axle so I could get a measurement. I have 9 5/8” from top of axle tube to bottom of frame on both sides. Once I am able to drive it for a some miles I will check it again.
 

CalSgt

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2021
Posts
1,688
Reaction score
3,706
Location
CA
First Name
Casey
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
Chevy K-10 Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350
It does look the same as your truck, except yours looks new.
A little elbow grease and a rattle can of paint go a long way
 

Don-T

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 28, 2022
Posts
64
Reaction score
66
Location
Vermont
First Name
Don
Truck Year
1973
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
383
The EBay seller I bought the steering arm from is “thepartfinder”. I looked on the site but did not see any at this time. Good luck, they are hard to find.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,439
Reaction score
5,572
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
Do you happen to have info on the bay seller? Looking for a stock arm too. Thanks
I've got one sitting in my back yard. If you want it I'll drop it in a flat rate box if you pay for the shipping. It is about a week away from going to the scrap yard with a bunch of other stuff otherwise.
 

squaredeal91

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
Posts
2,502
Reaction score
4,502
Location
Cave junction Oregon
First Name
Greg bush
Truck Year
1991 SB
Truck Model
K30
Engine Size
5.9 Cummins 12 valve
@Bextreme04 , Maybe list some of the other parts on here for fun. I understand when things got to go but dangit! people need stuff lol
 

brooksman9

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Posts
551
Reaction score
1,592
Location
Olive Branch, MS
First Name
Patrick
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Silverado & Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350 & 305
Yessir, would love to have it. Just let me know the details and I'll gladly pay you for it. Thanks.
 

brooksman9

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 26, 2021
Posts
551
Reaction score
1,592
Location
Olive Branch, MS
First Name
Patrick
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
Silverado & Custom Deluxe
Engine Size
350 & 305
I've got one sitting in my back yard. If you want it I'll drop it in a flat rate box if you pay for the shipping. It is about a week away from going to the scrap yard with a bunch of other stuff otherwise.
Yessir, would love to have it. Just let me know the details and I'll gladly pay you for it. Thanks.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,439
Reaction score
5,572
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
@Bextreme04 , Maybe list some of the other parts on here for fun. I understand when things got to go but dangit! people need stuff lol
Springs, grills, fuel tanks, etc.. I have posted them up on local Oregon groups and even offered them for free on some of the local squarebody groups and get no interest. I'd love for someone to come take whatever they want... but seems no one wants any of it.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,075
Posts
948,869
Members
36,146
Latest member
Nuggets40
Top