Hydro-Assist just got cheaper! under $100

[BrettM]

update on this, I bent the 3/4" shaft on my ram. It still works, but on the street the steering doesn't return to center and it feels like it's catching in the middle. based on the rock-rash on the bottom of the ram, it appears as though it was the result of direct rock contact. I thought the tie-rod was protecting it well enough, but I guess not.

This time around I'm going to order the ram in this post with the 1" rod. I'm a little concerned about it's lesser surface area on the pull, but I think it will do fine.

 

[XJ_ranger]

update on this, I bent the 3/4" shaft on my ram. It still works, but on the street the steering doesn't return to center and it feels like it's catching in the middle. based on the rock-rash on the bottom of the ram, it appears as though it was the result of direct rock contact. I thought the tie-rod was protecting it well enough, but I guess not.

This time around I'm going to order the ram in this post with the 1" rod. I'm a little concerned about it's lesser surface area on the pull, but I think it will do fine.

any plan of making a skid for it?

im thinking that might be the way to go.

sadly - i need to re-build my steering box and pull my axle out anyway to take care of some stuff - so maybe now is a good time to do this one...

did it used to return to center just fine?

and here for the Noob to hydro setups question -
8" throw means that from full lock one direction, to full lock in the other - a fixed point on the tie rod moves 8" correct?

and did you modify your steering stops to get more angle out of the knuckle?

 

[BrettM]

any plan of making a skid for it?

im thinking that might be the way to go.

sadly - i need to re-build my steering box and pull my axle out anyway to take care of some stuff - so maybe now is a good time to do this one...

did it used to return to center just fine?

and here for the Noob to hydro setups question -
8" throw means that from full lock one direction, to full lock in the other - a fixed point on the tie rod moves 8" correct?

and did you modify your steering stops to get more angle out of the knuckle?

if you're tearing apart your steering box, at least tap it and put plugs in until you're ready to hook a ram up.

It used to return to center just fine.

yes, my Chevy/Waggy knuckles have 8 inches of travel (parallel to the axle tubes) from full right to full left. I have the stops adjusted so they hit just a tiny bit before the yokes contact. Many steering setups would be best to have a piece added inside the ram to limit travel to match the tie-rod.

 

[BrettM]

I got the new ram ($50 1" rod) and I'm impressed with the build quality. It's also very easy to disassemble, perfect for adding washers or spacers to limit travel.

one thing I'm slightly concerned about is the lesser pull strength of having a 1" rod (vs. 3/4") so I decided to modify my ram so that it will actually have greater pull strength than one with a 3/4" rod:

here it is taken apart:


And since the pull strength is a function of the the surface area on the rod side, I reduced the rod diameter right at the end using a bench grinder. This allows more surface area for the fluid to push against and therefore more force.


I can't imagine why it wouldn't work, and it took all of 15 minutes including disassembling and reassembling the ram.

 

[VegasAnthony]

I agree, and you can't do a ram without heims on an inverted Y steering, you need a knuckle-to-knuckle tie-rod.

so basically this is a good DIY for someone with a D44 or 60 but not for the D30 correct..??

 

[cracker]

so basically this is a good DIY for someone with a D44 or 60 but not for the D30 correct..??

I think it would be very difficult to do with the lastara XJ stock steering set up especially when the vehicle has been lifted.

 

[BrettM]

okay guys, ignore my "brilliant" idea of grinding the rod. I thought about it for about 1 minute and decided to do it since it won't weaken the rod anyway. Tonight, after a few beers, I was thinking about it again much more clearly :cheers:

I created more surface area for fluid to push the rod side, but I also made a place for the fluid to push the rod the other way. net gain = zero, zilch, nada.

oh well, it was kinda fun to take apart....

 

[Lucas]

are you sure about that? I'm gonna dig up my old physics textbook to brush up on hydraulics.

 

[BrettM]

are you sure about that? I'm gonna dig up my old physics textbook to brush up on hydraulics.

yep, pretty damn sure. it did seem too easy, figures...

 

[bj-666]

alrighty sorry to hijack but could someone explain a little about how you go about putting washers in the ram to limit travel prob be self explanitory with one sitting in front of me but i don't have that luxury:laugh3:

 

[BrettM]

alrighty sorry to hijack but could someone explain a little about how you go about putting washers in the ram to limit travel prob be self explanitory with one sitting in front of me but i don't have that luxury:laugh3:

pretty basic. figure out how much you need to limit the throw so it doesn't try and push past the steering stops, then add that thickness of washers or something else to the rod. You can see in my picture how you can take the plunger part off and slide washers or something on the rod. most 1" washers will have an outside diameter too large to fit in the ram though. I would use delrin rod.

 

[xjj33p3r]

I've read through this, but I don't remember seeing anything about it... but would this project be a good/intelligent idea to start on a d30? Considering, I've got a tie-rod and diff cover that are strong enough to hold the ram.

 

[bj-666]

no you need a full length tie rod

 

[kubtastic]

would ORO's U-turn setup qualify? I see a weakspot in the bracket that attaches the tie rod ends to the knuckles. You depend on the tension strength of 2 of the 3 bolts that attach the hub to the knuckle.

 

[xjj33p3r]

So, lets say I used a design such as Rock Krawler makes for my steering, would it then be a smart idea to add the hydro assist?

 

[Avanteone]

Thank you for posting this VERY USEFUL information. I just finished my HPD44 install and will be using this setup on my new steering:

John

 

[rpili2001]

Can someone post of pic of the ram mounted either on the axle tube or ? But not on the diff cover.

Thanks

 

[MontanaXJ]

Brett and others, I made note of this thread some time ago so that I could refer to it later on. I am undergoing a D44 install and will be upgrading my entire steering setup. The plan is as follows:

PSC Steering Gear for assist
PSC Power Steering Pump
Surplus Center 1.5x8x1 Hydro Cylinder setup

My question is about the length of the hoses. A 36" hose doesn't seem very long, and I would be concerned about them being too short. I have short arms with drop brackets and some time in the future will probably end up running long arms. Would I be better off getting hoses that are a little longer?

Thanks for any replies.

Greg

 

[cracker]

Brett and others, I made note of this thread some time ago so that I could refer to it later on. I am undergoing a D44 install and will be upgrading my entire steering setup. The plan is as follows:

PSC Steering Gear for assist
PSC Power Steering Pump
Surplus Center 1.5x8x1 Hydro Cylinder setup

My question is about the length of the hoses. A 36" hose doesn't seem very long, and I would be concerned about them being too short. I have short arms with drop brackets and some time in the future will probably end up running long arms. Would I be better off getting hoses that are a little longer?

Thanks for any replies.

Greg

Greg,

I expect some good pictures of your junk when you'r doing it cuz I'm in the same boat.

I also need a DVD from ya :laugh3:

-Avery

 

[rockwerks]

the 100.00 setup with 36" hoes, they could be even a little shorter. they are plenty long. on 2001 xj with dana 60 hp front