80 Series Ram Assist?
- Thread starter VZLAFZJ80
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I've wondered the same thing. Sure would be sweet when your in the rocks locked front and rear and need to make a sharp turn. It would also be cool to do something a bit different thatn the rest of the 80s you see. Rock Logic has a nice looking set up.
Curran
Curran
- Thread starter
- #3
Yea, I am debating between Rocklogic and Howe Performance.
I have already gone through 2 steering boxes, another problem I have is that when running really low pressure on my tires it becomes almost impossible to turn the wheels when the weight of the truck is resting on the front tires.
I have already gone through 2 steering boxes, another problem I have is that when running really low pressure on my tires it becomes almost impossible to turn the wheels when the weight of the truck is resting on the front tires.
Ale, you’ve gone through 2? Is that since going to your new set up, or does that include prior to that? I asked about this about 2 years ago and was told it wasn’t DOT approved and therefore would not be street legal. I never confirmed that though.
Junkster,
I full hydro steering is not DOT approved. However, I "think" that an assisted system is. The key safety difference here is that if the hydraulics fail, you would still have steering unlike a full hydro system. I could be wrong-- it happens frequently.
I full hydro steering is not DOT approved. However, I "think" that an assisted system is. The key safety difference here is that if the hydraulics fail, you would still have steering unlike a full hydro system. I could be wrong-- it happens frequently.
I'd heard a ton of great things about Red Neck Ram from the dudes in TX. Not sure if they're brewing some 80 stuff.
- Thread starter
- #7
No, my steering box went about two years ago at Dave’s place; you can see it in the pic how it is leaking!
http://www.yourlandcruiser.com/wheeling/20020525daves/1_0055.jpg
I wasn’t driving my truck very often so I never got it fixed since on the pavement it worked fine. I finally decided to replace it about 6 months ago with one that had about 3K miles on it. I have probably put about 2k miles and it is once again leaking. When I air down its does not work at all. So Im tired and decided to go to RAM assist. I don’t think it has anything to do with the 37” because the previous one went while I still had the 35”.
I spoke today with Von at RockLogic and was very helpful, very cool guy by the way. I think im going to go with their kit! It cost about $50 to get it tap and I already have the rebuild kit so that is what I think im going to do. My main concern really it is how to mount the RAM on the 80 series axel!
As for if it is street legal, im almost sure it is, since you still have a mechanical connection between the wheels and the steering wheel. What I know for sure that is not legal is full hydro. And either way who cares, im ordering beadlocks, cops would probably notice those before they do the RAM!
http://www.yourlandcruiser.com/wheeling/20020525daves/1_0055.jpg
I wasn’t driving my truck very often so I never got it fixed since on the pavement it worked fine. I finally decided to replace it about 6 months ago with one that had about 3K miles on it. I have probably put about 2k miles and it is once again leaking. When I air down its does not work at all. So Im tired and decided to go to RAM assist. I don’t think it has anything to do with the 37” because the previous one went while I still had the 35”.
I spoke today with Von at RockLogic and was very helpful, very cool guy by the way. I think im going to go with their kit! It cost about $50 to get it tap and I already have the rebuild kit so that is what I think im going to do. My main concern really it is how to mount the RAM on the 80 series axel!
As for if it is street legal, im almost sure it is, since you still have a mechanical connection between the wheels and the steering wheel. What I know for sure that is not legal is full hydro. And either way who cares, im ordering beadlocks, cops would probably notice those before they do the RAM!
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lowenbrau
SILVER Star
Curran said:Junkster,
I full hydro steering is not DOT approved. However, I "think" that an assisted system is. The key safety difference here is that if the hydraulics fail, you would still have steering unlike a full hydro system. I could be wrong-- it happens frequently.
There were factory installed ram assist in domestics at least up until '79 so I would say there was some DOT approved setups. The agricultural rams that most of us use would fall more into a modification category. Is there a DOT approval on other modifications such as bumpers, lifts etc? Who checks for these?
Many of the full hydraulic setups can be steered without a pump as long as the fluid is still in them. Obviously not so much if you tear off a hose.
you may want to contact TrailCarnage on this board (Tom) was not an 80, was a locking 80 front 3rd with 60 knuckles on a custom housing and a IH scout Saginaw steering box (similar concept to the 80 box) , he used a standard hydraulic cylinder.
biggest problem was reservoir capacity. the cylinder adds a variable volume to the system, at full lock one way the reservoir overflowed, full lock the other it emptied letting the pump suck air. was a Taco V6 engine (5f-something?) and pump but it has a similar looking reservoir size as the 80, you will need a larger one, the 80 has a divorced reservoir so it will be easier to come up with something.
picking the spots to tap on the box is intersting also, you basically put the assist ram in parallel with the steering box piston. on the Saginaw there were thick area's on the box casting to accept 1/4NPT, hopefully there are similar spot on the 80 box, you are also suppose to enlarge the ports in the boxes valve, the Saginaw valve was surface hardened, I broke off the bit in his only spare valve when I hit the hard layer, gave up on that part, having stock valving just slowed the steering rate not the force.
and if after installing everyhting you cannot steer flip th two lines running to the assinst cylinder and it will work great.
biggest problem was reservoir capacity. the cylinder adds a variable volume to the system, at full lock one way the reservoir overflowed, full lock the other it emptied letting the pump suck air. was a Taco V6 engine (5f-something?) and pump but it has a similar looking reservoir size as the 80, you will need a larger one, the 80 has a divorced reservoir so it will be easier to come up with something.
picking the spots to tap on the box is intersting also, you basically put the assist ram in parallel with the steering box piston. on the Saginaw there were thick area's on the box casting to accept 1/4NPT, hopefully there are similar spot on the 80 box, you are also suppose to enlarge the ports in the boxes valve, the Saginaw valve was surface hardened, I broke off the bit in his only spare valve when I hit the hard layer, gave up on that part, having stock valving just slowed the steering rate not the force.
and if after installing everyhting you cannot steer flip th two lines running to the assinst cylinder and it will work great.
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Yo Ale, get this figured out then let me know 
