Axle build with ram assist (1 Viewer)

[PPFJ60]

Here is a link to the anti-warp bar I built for the front.

https://forum.ih8mud.com/60-series-wagons/222772-heavy-duty-traction-bar-front-axle.html

I snapped one front pinion with less than 100 miles on it. Granted it was because of a skinny pedal display but the anti-wrap bar has saved the drive shaft many time.

 

[PPFJ60]

The PSC ram came in but I am still waiting for a seal kit to arrive before I port the steering box. I have the spare box off the parts cruiser and it's cleaned up and ready to go once the parts arrive.

Still not sure how I am going to mount the ram to the axle since the 4x4 labs steering puts the tie rod behind the axle. With the C&T the ram mount will need to be more than just short tabs welded to the top of the diff.

 

[PPFJ60]

The steering box seal kit finally came in so I drilled, taped, resealed and painted the steering box so it's ready to go. It took me about 3 hours to complete including paint.

I still need to decide on the mount for the ram. I am thinking of building a mount off the spring plate. Any other ideas?

 

[boots4]

Not too keen on the spring plate mount but it doesn't look like you've got many options with being behind the axle. Would you beef up the spring plate?

 

[PPFJ60]

I have a new U-bolt to replace the shorter old one in the picture. I would then make a 1/4" steel plate to add to the top and put the mount on it.

I could turn the ram around and bend a tube to add to the driver side axle housing and mount the ram to it. The truss in the picture is just setting on the axle so making modifications is not a problem.

 

[PPFJ60]

I worked on a mock up of a hoop on the driver side axle as a mount for the ram last night. The hoop and the ram are not attached in the pictures. They are leaning against the tie rod for support. If I go with this mount I will have to do a little fit adjustment for the hoop to the axle and get it welded so the ram is spaced off the tie rod. The anit-wrap bar is removed from these pictures and would take some additional work to get it installed. Or I could just leave it off and see if I break another pinion.

Comments or suggestions on this option?

 

[greencruiser]

you should set yours up like how i did mine with a mount on top of the diff and on the third its way cleaner

ill snap some better pics of what i did if you want

 

[PPFJ60]

Well, I commited to the hoop idea in the picture. I welded it on last night. I need to swap out the steering gear box with the one I ported and get some fittings to connect the hose to the ram and then drive it.

 

[Man Jerk]

Nice fab Chuck. Better boogers than I am capable of.

 

[PPFJ60]

It's pretty much done. I just need to route the hydraulic line a little better, replace a crushed brake line I found while doing this job, check the alignment again and burn in the tie rod mount. I have been under the weather all week so progress has been slow. I will post up the final pictures as soon as I feel up to it.

 

[PPFJ60]

I have about 160 miles on the axle now including one trail run. The axle with the ram assit works great. I do have slow steering at low rpm's but will be fixed next week when the high volume pump comes in. I do miss the anti-wrap bar since I pulled the front drive shaft apart on the trail run when climbing a steep rock. The drive shaft has 3" of splines in the tube at road height.

 

[PPFJ60]

I had the front drive shaft lengthened so I hope it doesn't pull apart again.

People seem to be surprised that I had a front anti-wrap bar but without it I have lots of axle wrap so how is everyone else dealing with the axle wrap on the front?

Here is a picture of the 60 just as before the drive shaft separated.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

It simply hasn't been an issue for me. Maybe it's because I've got more leaves in my pack than you do?

 

[PPFJ60]

I was thinking about adding another leaf to the front. I have some old spring packs laying around so it would be easy to try.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I'd try that. I have 62 front leaf packs with a long AAL added. They're stiff but don't let the axle wrap much.