Has anyone mounted the ram to the axle without one of those huge axle trusses? Does anyone have pictures of their ram mounted with 4x4 labs hi-steer? I'm sure it won't be to difficult to fab something up once I have the mount in hand, but was just wondering about this.
Hydro assist ram mounting
- Thread starter '74 UA FJ
- Start date
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best photo I can find of mine, Marlin arms though:
A truck im building. I had to put it in front to clear the oil pan. It has plenty of room between the drag link and tie rod. I may slap a tube below the ram to protect it
LC_Hamma
The Anti-Leafer
I mounted both of mine where the steering stabilizer used to go. Didn't have clearance anywhere else 
boots isnt mounted on the truss, it is the same as i will be doing mine as well
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/160807-family-haulin-20.html#post3625442
then where he moved it farther passenger
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/160807-family-haulin-26.html#post4083042
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/160807-family-haulin-20.html#post3625442
then where he moved it farther passenger
https://forum.ih8mud.com/hardcore-corner/160807-family-haulin-26.html#post4083042
Boots' install is great because it allows adjustment. That's the route I'd like to go as well.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
mine ..
I agree it would help make any potential adjustments easier for whoever does them.
only thing i had planned on doing differently was welding a ring on the tie rod at both ends of the clamp to help limit any potential side to side movement. but not weld the clap to the TR leave it so it can still be loosened and turned.
I too had planned to weld on some rings as stoppers but I haven't seen the tierod mount move at all so I didn't go any further. It's still a good idea and definitely would make it easier to line up the clamp whenever you put it back on. I'd get the alignment just right and the throw of the ram just right before welding those ring stoppers on.
it get tricky with the 4x4labs kit, i sat and looked and asked a million questions before i figured out what would be best for me. take a look came out nic and have no probs
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/165295-camcruisers-ram-assist-write-up.html
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/165295-camcruisers-ram-assist-write-up.html
i also have the 4x4 labs style setup and i mounted my ram to the spring perch plate drivers side on a soa. 2 yrs now and no issues. believe me i pound the pie out of it.
It looks like some people attach the ram to the tie rod and some attach it to the drag link. Any advantages/disadvantages to one over the other? I am thinking that keeping the ram parallel to what it's attached to would be best? Attaching it to the drag link could change the angle as the axle moves. Maybe it doesn't matter?
I am certainly no expert as I am in the process of building my first hydro assist setup. That said everyone I've talked with about it including PSC has said to mount the ram to the tie rod, in line and parralell for the best results. I would think mounting the ram to the drag link would be asking for trouble but again I don't really know.
LC_Hamma
The Anti-Leafer
Using a male & female rod end allows angular movement & as long as you don't exceed the max. angle allowed, I don't see a problem. It's only a 4" stroke anyway & I've articulated the suspension w/ no binding. I tried many different mounting configurations & this was the best use of space for my application.
Ram should be mounted to the tie rod...and mounted so it is parallel to the rod when at FULL LOCK, not when driving straight ahead. Alternatively, you could attach to the steering arm - I've seen 4x4 Labs double arms used for this, mounting in front of the axle to a double arm on the drivers side - I prefer protecting the ram behind the axle and believe the better mount is on the tie rod.
In part, this is due to where the forces act on the system...mounting to the tie rod pushes on one arm and pulls on the other. Mounting to the drag link means it must push thru one arm and thru the rod then finally the other arm. If this wasn't an important part of the design, then none of us would remove the center arm
The 'body' of the ram should be mounted stationary to the axle with the rod itself to the tie rod. I prefer a double shear at both ends.
In part, this is due to where the forces act on the system...mounting to the tie rod pushes on one arm and pulls on the other. Mounting to the drag link means it must push thru one arm and thru the rod then finally the other arm. If this wasn't an important part of the design, then none of us would remove the center arm
The 'body' of the ram should be mounted stationary to the axle with the rod itself to the tie rod. I prefer a double shear at both ends.
To piggy back on Woody's statement, The best placement for the ram is to have the moving end as close to the end of the tie rod as you can get it. The closer the ram mount on the TR is to the middle of the TR, the more likely it is to bend the TR.
And, Mounting it to the Drivers side knuckle is better due to the length of connecting rods you are supporting. The DS is the terminal end of the system (mostly, damn wrong side drivers) and sees the most stress.
And, Mounting it to the Drivers side knuckle is better due to the length of connecting rods you are supporting. The DS is the terminal end of the system (mostly, damn wrong side drivers) and sees the most stress.
I'm not sure I completely agree with that. If the ram is parallel to the tierod I think it's better to mount closer to the middle because it will distribute the force between the TREs better. With mine more driver side I've seen that joint go out twice whereas the passenger side has been fine. I can see mounting it directly to the knuckle being better since it sees the most stress. Then the ram takes more of the shock than the TRE.
If you put the mount in the middle, you increase the chances of bending your TR significantly. The concept of a "Parallel" Ram is a fallacy, there is always a slight angle to it. That is probably why you are killing your DS TR faster than the PS. If you put that stress in the middle of the TR and then put the TR is compression (during a turn) you are essentially putting a bar on your knee and bending it.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
wondering if you attach the ram to the middle or close to the DS it's always a matter of which tire get more abuse in the rocks or off road in general .. if you are usually " atacking " an obstacle with your DS front wheel this DS TR will get more abuse and will fail sooner .. than the PS TR..
