HYDRO-ASSIST: Protection for the ram?

[cracker]

Well, I have mocked up where my ram will work and damn, it is a tight fit. I've got a 3/8" between my track bar mocked up IF I bottom out so hard that I blow through all my bump stops (Lincoln style poly prothane coil inserts) that my diff hits my track bar bracket brace (only happened once and it was not BOTW ). I also have 3/8" between my hydraulic fittings and my UCA tower. Tighter than a snare drum.

The issue as I see it, is that I WILL hit it in its current placement and I cannot move it elsewhere without re-fabricating all new front axle brackets.

Here is a pic of the front end straight on (note track bar is disconnected as placed to where I MAY bottom out). It is not TOO bad as far as being exposed but JV will eat it up

A closer shot:

An example of how tight it is (with the track bar disconnected and hanging as if I bottomed out). 3/8" clearance :shocked:

And here is a pic from what I THINK is the view from the underside of the axle looking up:

The reason for this thread is what various designs of 'armor' for the have people done to protect the ram.

I can do something like 2" square from my 'over axle bracket' a foot or so to the pumpkin and tie it back to the axle.

My biggest concern if I do something like that, how much would that hinder me offroad having a bar 5 inches infront of my axle, starting 1-2" above the bottom of the axle tube? I can go 'higher' (3-3.5") to give me the clearance but then if it is too high I think i risk bending it upwards into the ram.

Thoughts?

 

[Mr.OverKill]

It is not TOO bad as far as being exposed but JV will eat it up

Thoughts?

well lets state the obvious, DONT DO J.V!! or you could just not drive normal roads or mellow trails when you go to JV. that should solve the proablem for you, according to the better half you are just a crappy driver if there are no obsticles.:laugh3:

 

[CRASH]

Mines a bit higher than that, and it's OK. Some marks on it.

If you armor the cylinder, the rod is still going to bend.

 

[David Taylor]

Avery, With the new box and pump do you still feel like you need the assist ?

 

[cracker]

Avery, With the new box and pump do you still feel like you need the assist ?

It was better on Clawhammer but I still find there could be room for improvement. I still end up wrenching hard on it to get it to turn . I'd also like there to be a little less stress on the unibody at the steering box.

 

[Paul S]

Unless you can find a way to get it above the TR, I don't see it lasting more than a run or 2. I know that Dave & I hit our TR's all the time, a cylinder underneath wouldn't stand a chance.

I've come to the conclusion that with 37's it's not needed, & if/when I go 4D's it will be with coilovers to open up way more steering options.

Paul

 

[cracker]

You know, of all the searching I did, almost everyone who had it directly behind or on top of the TR was wither running leaf springs or not running high steer.

I was thinking a 2" square plate below the ram tied into my OAB and somehow reconnected to the axle before the diff. I would almost always hit the tube before I hit the ram.



Yay/Nay?

 

[CRASH]

Have you thought of running a double ended steering arm and putting the ram behind the axle? If I had the time, that's what I would do.

You know, of all the searching I did, almost everyone who had it directly behind or on top of the TR was wither running leaf springs or not running high steer.

I was thinking a 2" square plate below the ram tied into my OAB and somehow reconnected to the axle before the diff. I would almost always hit the tube before I hit the ram.



Yay/Nay?

 

[tealcherokee]

Have you thought of running a double ended steering arm and putting the ram behind the axle? If I had the time, that's what I would do.

although that would require a new drag link also, its probably the best way.

you could just make a hoop on the axle tube (where you marked yours) and have it stick out as far as you like. that SHOULD help w/ protection

 

[CRASH]

although that would require a new drag link also, its probably the best way.

you could just make a hoop on the axle tube (where you marked yours) and have it stick out as far as you like. that SHOULD help w/ protection

Why would it require a new drag link?

Just need one passenger side double ended arm, and the ram attached to that.

 

[cracker]

Have you thought of running a double ended steering arm and putting the ram behind the axle? If I had the time, that's what I would do.

Funny you should bring that up. I am in the process of building a D/60/9" front axle and that is what I definitly want to try to do. I have seen it before and it seems like the way to go. It won't work easily on my 44 right now and I am still months away before having a new axle to install.

 

[Mr.OverKill]

I was thinking a 2" square plate below the ram tied into my OAB and somehow reconnected to the axle before the diff. I would almost always hit the tube before I hit the ram.



Yay/Nay?

Close on the idea but i was thinking more like three or four gussets along the tube and a piece of flat bar approxamately 4" by the length of the cylender by 1/4"

attach the bar to the forward center line of the axle tube angled up at aproxamately 45* with the gussets evenly spaced for rigidity and it will have an added bonus of working like a truss as well and with a few drain holes, there you go. by the way, the gussets will be radioused to conform to the axle tube ( common sense )

just a thought, let me know before i leave saturday

 

[tealcherokee]

Why would it require a new drag link?

Just need one passenger side double ended arm, and the ram attached to that.

gotcha crash, i was picturing mounting the whole tierod in back of the axle, there for the draglink would have to connect to the kunckle up front

 

[Roxtar]

Why not reverse the ram, mounting the base end to the diff truss.
Wouldn't this put it behind the tie rod and out of the way?

 

[cracker]

Why not reverse the ram, mounting the base end to the diff truss.
Wouldn't this put it behind the tie rod and out of the way?

I tried that. Not enough room. Unfortunately the axle was built without hydro assist in mind.

I mounted it a tad higher than what you see it there with some serious protection for it. I should have the ram installed tonight and I'll take pics.

 

[Roxtar]

I tried that. Not enough room. Unfortunately the axle was built without hydro assist in mind.

I mounted it a tad higher than what you see it there with some serious protection for it. I should have the ram installed tonight and I'll take pics.

Do you need that much stroke from the ram?

 

[cracker]

Do you need that much stroke from the ram?

I am assuming you are looking at the pic and see the ram fully extended. It won't be that way unless I turn full driver.

It is an 8" ram and my tie rod travel is 7.6"

 

[cracker]

Well, I have had it done (for a short while) but I didn't want to post up the results until I ‘field’ tested it.

It is tight, REAL tight, possibly too tight in regards to the tolerances. Thanks to Troy, it came out well. It uses a 3/8" plate on the bottom with 1/2 solid square (doubled up) on the end. It connects to my panhard ‘tower’, the UCA ‘tower’ and the diff brisge. With my driving style (or lack thereof) I am hoping this will work out really well.

 

[lugie]

3/8" plate on the bottom with 1/2 solid square (doubled up)

You aren't in the lightweight clique are you.

 

[Paul S]

You aren't in the lightweight clique are you.

Wait till you see the HEAVY JUNK he's building now. Cracks gonna be slow as a snail winching up every fall, but at least he won't break:moon:

Paul