can I convert to a ball joint style pitmman arm?

Is there a way to make this work. The old steering box had a pitman arm with just a ball on the end that clamped in. With my new style I have a ball joint on the end. Is there a way to make this work or will I be signing my death certificate

 

What car, what steering?? There is a surprising amount of interchangeability between pitman arms...only a few different splines out there. Your old arm might fit the new box.

 

I'm glad you brought this up! I'm working on putting a Vega steering box in a 55 Chevy. I figured I'd salvage the ball off of the 55 Pittman arm and weld it in the Vega arm. I'd welcome some ideas and input too.
Larry T

 

if i was trying to connect that draglink and tie rod end to the pitman arm in the picture i would drill and taper ream the pitman arm to accept a bolt in steering ball , like this:

 

I guess my question is, if that's the stock tie rod, then where did that pitman arm come from? Are you using a different one than stock for some clearance issue? I think it would be easier to get a different pitman arm rather than modify what looks like a new one.

 

57 Pontiac I believe he told me once.

 

Frank, its not the stock steering box or pitman arm. Had to chage boxes for clearance issues.

 

id second that as the correct, safe way to do it.

 

Isn't a 55-57 Chevy a little large and heavy of a car to be using a VEGA steering box??

 

thanks. ill look and see if speedway or one of the other places has them

 

I think this one is gonna come in WELL under 3000 lbs. It's basically a couple of steel quarter panel skins and roof with the rest fiberglass.

Chandler,
If the pitman arm has a ball joint built into it, it might be pretty hard to remove the ball and drill a taper in what's left. You might be better off finding another arm. Have you tried the stock pitman arm on your new box?
I looked some more and Danchuk has a ball stud that might work in something. PN012375

 

thanks Larry. i found what I need on that site.