[Damo]

Gwagonsteve was talking a bit a while back about steering arm lengths and steering ratios. I was in the shed tonight and had a couple boxes handy and measured them up.

Pitman arms
~~~~~~~~
Sierra: 130mm
Vitara: 125mm
Tarago: 120mm
Sierra steering knuckle: 160mm

BTW, the Tarago one is there because I run a Tarago arm on my Vit p/s box.

So ratio wise:

Sierra: 1.23:1
Vitara: 1.28:1 = 3.9% slower steering compared to stock
Tarago: 1.33:1 = 7.5% slower steering compared to stock

Remember this is just the difference the pitman arm lengths make. If the steering boxes themselves have different ratios this will compound the difference.

I'll measure the steering box ratio when I get a chance. If anyone has Sierra and Vit boxes (or anything else for that matter) handy feel free to post up the figures.

[shep]

why the targo one?

[Damo]

shep wrote:

why the targo one?

Same spline as the Vit one but has a bit of drop on it instead of being flat.

[BlueSuzy]

Vit ps box use straight arms. Tarago are drop arms.

[Gwagensteve]

I don't have all the figures with me as I don't have a vitara knuckle handy, but the difference in ratio between vitara and sierra is not quite as simple as your figures.

Vitaras run a idler arm, and that effectively lengthens the pitman arm in relation to the knuckle about 25mm, and the arm on the knuckle is a different length, which is why vitara pitman arms on sierras make for slow steering.

That tarago arm looks good, but they require machining of the taper, no?

Steve.

[bazook]

you forgot jimny arm on sierra

[Damo]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I don't have all the figures with me as I don't have a vitara knuckle handy, but the difference in ratio between vitara and sierra is not quite as simple as your figures.

You're right, the figures are derived from comparing directly to the stock Sierra steering, not Sierra vs. Vitara. If we could get the idler arm info and the steering box ratio data it would allow a complete comparison which should give a pretty good picture of what you're talking abou RE: slow steering.

Gwagensteve wrote:

That tarago arm looks good, but they require machining of the taper, no?

That's correct, the Sierra draglink is not a direct for for the taper in the Tarago pitman arm. Mine has been fitted with a tapered sleeve that allows the stock Sierra draglink and TRE to be used.

[Damo]

bazook wrote:

:helloo: you forgot jimny arm on sierra

Didn't forget, I just don't have one. If you do then post up the measurements.

[JrZook]

Damo wrote:

bazook wrote:

:helloo: you forgot jimny arm on sierra

Didn't forget, I just don't have one. If you do then post up the measurements.

Jim ps arm is exactly the same length as sierra. Different spline diameter tho.

[shep]

what model tarago? did you just make a sleeve or did you find a off the shelf jobbie?

there might be enough drop in the toyota arm to stop me needing a high steer when i change to a vit steering box

[Damo]

shep wrote:

what model tarago? did you just make a sleeve or did you find a off the shelf jobbie?

there might be enough drop in the toyota arm to stop me needing a high steer when i change to a vit steering box

YR21 Tarago.

The sleeve was machined, you might be able to get ball to do you one. Alternatively try a 40 series cruiser TRE, I think they are the same taper. You could do an upgraded tie rod & drag link assy at the same time Check Rusho's build thread, he's got something like what i'm talking about.

[mr.green]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I don't have all the figures with me as I don't have a vitara knuckle handy, but the difference in ratio between vitara and sierra is not quite as simple as your figures.

Vitaras run a idler arm, and that effectively lengthens the pitman arm in relation to the knuckle about 25mm, and the arm on the knuckle is a different length, which is why vitara pitman arms on sierras make for slow steering.

That tarago arm looks good, but they require machining of the taper, no?

Steve.

and that why vitaras don't have slow steering but on a sierra the ratio can only be effected box by ratio and pitman arm legnth....


shep, depending on how much drop you need a jimny arm might be for you. direct fit off the shelf. can get a pic for you later