hydro assist Q's

[BionicCruiser]

so it's time to do it. my steering has been howling when it gets warmed up on the rocks. I figure I need to rebuild the pump, then add hydro assist and a cooler. I've had a death wobble issue that's is still lurking. I can feel it want to start sometimes on the pavement.

so I measured the tie rod movement and it's a total of 5.5". I only see 1.5x 4 and 6" rams so far. anyone know if there's 5" rams out there I can use? 4" seems like it will limit my steering way too much.

I figure to rebuild the steering box when I tap it for the lines. looks like about $250 to do it all myself for everything and red neck rams is $500 for a stage II kit.

other suggestions?

 

[BionicCruiser]

oh, and does it matter if I measured without the truck running? I figured it's the same either way, just harder to turn.

 

[camcruiser13]

6inch ram would do the trick. 4 is no bueno amigo

 

[camcruiser13]

oh, and does it matter if I measured without the truck running? I figured it's the same either way, just harder to turn.

Nope!

 

[BionicCruiser]

6inch ram would do the trick. 4 is no bueno amigo

can you go longer than the box turns? I thought that was bad.

Nope!

as in, my measurement was good?

 

[Bret]

You want the ram to limit your steering, if the ram throws farther than the knuckles can handle you may be looking for new knuckles and steering arms next. Be sure to keep your knuckle studs tight, the additional force can cause them to loosen. If you have small pattern knuckles keep an eye out for some FJ60/62 knuckles, they have bigger studs and a larger pattern. The steering arms are also beefier.

With FJ60 knuckles and arms 6.75" was perfect wiithout steering stops.

 

[BionicCruiser]

You want the ram to limit your steering, if the ram throws farther than the knuckles can handle you may be looking for new knuckles and steering arms next. Be sure to keep your knuckle studs tight, the additional force can cause them to loosen...

I have a dana 60 with monster arms. forget who the maker was off hand, but they are huge thick. just not very long, hence the short tierod movement.
I thought the ram had to limit the steering, that's why I was looking for a 5" ram. 4" just seems too short.
the knuckles have a little more room to go, but the steering box doesn't. I think the 6" ram would put a lot of stress on the box and it's mounts.

 

[BionicCruiser]

...forget who the maker was off hand...

Over the Top Industries made them.

 

[Bret]

When I got my ram from PSC I thought they said they could shim it to whatever length I needed. It would prolly be a 6" ram destroked to 4-3/4.

 

[Mace]

a simple 1" wide puck of HDPE would word admirably to limit the ram.

6" ram is what you need, unless you call a ram shop and have them build a custom ram for ya.. Its really not that much more expensive.

BTW, OTT's stuff is super beefy and excellent..

 

[BionicCruiser]

cool, this is the info I was looking for. Mace, how does the HDPE work. put inside the ram for limiting it?

I was hoping to get a cheaper ram from surplus center. they are half the price of PSC and redneck., but if it needs mods, I guess it's worth the extra.

 

[Mace]

it's a limiter, you can put it on the outside easily.
Inside would be better tho.

Also, if you build your steering stops strong enough, the slight extra ram length won't be an issue.

 

[BionicCruiser]

ok, the image just hit me. placed around the shaft so it keeps the ram from shortening all the way. man that sounded bad.

 

[peesalot]

Look thru psc site
There is a kit with upgraded p pump with remote res.
, the resivior, all the hoses and mounts, and ram with ends.
IMO this is the way to go.

 

[4rnr]

I run a 6" ram with a 1/2" thick shaft collar bolted on the end of the ram to limit it, It stops just as I hit the steering stops. Been doing it now for 4 or 5 years with no problems. (4runner with a Marlin Hi-Steer)

 

[Tapage]

along with the thread .. as 7" aren't made .. anyone running 8" and just stoping with the steering stops ?

 

[PPFJ60]

I have the 8" ram with a spacer on the end of the ram. Works fine.

I have a 2" x 8" ram. I had to go to a hi preformance pump to keep up with the ram. If I had to do it again I would be looking at 1.5" or 1.75" x 8 " rams. The hi performance pump cost more than the ram does.

 

[BionicCruiser]

I run a 6" ram with a 1/2" thick shaft collar bolted on the end of the ram to limit it, It stops just as I hit the steering stops. Been doing it now for 4 or 5 years with no problems. (4runner with a Marlin Hi-Steer)

where did you get the collar?

 

[Tapage]

where did you get the collar?

Ditto interested on that too

 

[4rnr]

along with the thread .. as 7" aren't made .. anyone running 8" and just stoping with the steering stops ?

Cant use the steering stops...well I suppose technically you could, but you will quickly rip the arms off the knuckle.

where did you get the collar?

Mc Master Carr. I imagine Grainger would have them as well.