Hydro Assist questions... (1 Viewer)

[Broknrunner]

I know that there are a lot of threads on this but I am going to ask anyway...

What ram lenght is the best for a 60? I have seen some discussion about 7" but most seem to be 6"?(not sure what type of hysteer setup I have, came on the vehicle)

Are there any positive/negatives to the surplus Center rams vs TG or Redneck Ram vehicle?

What is the best location/part numbers for box and pump rebuild kits?

With a stock pump and box is a cooler necessary and if so, where do you locate it, and in which line?(84 fj60)


Sorry about all the questions, this is my first post. I bought an already very capable 60, but want to start making it better...

 

[high country cruiser]

Try PSC

I liked the service, I asked lots of questions...

I had many changes before I got it right and some problems along the way, but they were great.

Offroad - Motorsport Specific Products

 

[boots4]

The stock toyota pump may not be up to the task of pushing the fluid needed so looking into a saginaw conversion is probably a good idea.

6" ram works fine. I get all the throw the system has with a 6". I'm running a TG ram but any of your options would work fine.

Coolers are good ideas and tend to be necessary if you are constantly taxing the system like turning big meats in slow crawling situations. A cooler would be attached to your low pressure line out NOT the high pressure in.

Hydro Assist is the best steering stabilizer and helped save my family's life when we had a blowout on a steering tire going down the hwy. It makes rock work easier.

Got any pics of your steering set up? We could probably help identify it for you.

 

[Tapage]

Got PSC ram pump and fancy reservoir my Factory ( tired) old 2H pump wasn't up to the task .. I first try wrangler pump then mode it and end with the PSC stuff ..

My ram it's 6" and its just perfect with my 40" mtrs

 

[Broknrunner]

The PSC stuff is nice, but going to try to keep it as inexpensive as possible...

Here are a couple pics of the steering, maybe you guys can identify what I have?

PS fluid is leaking like crazy, which is prompting the Hydro Assist if I am going to rebuild the box anyway...

 

[boots4]

Looks like an All-Pro Hy-Steer crossover kit. It uses FJ80 TREs.

 

[high country cruiser]

That set-up w/b a good candidate

Here's some pics for your viewing pleasure

I hope they help w/ your set-up and understanding the dymamics of the situation.

You can go a much cheaper route, farm supply ram, port your own steering box and source the hose. I had a friend that did the set-up for a few hundred bucks.
I got my cooler from Summit racing and mounted it behind the winch 2"x18".

You will need a high volume pump w/ an external reservoir and if you decide to go w/ the ram-assist....mmmm sweet, I love it on the trail and it has great street manners. I drove mine around today on the street and it's nice.

Things to watch out for;
ram must be mounted w/ ports up for bubbles to escape.
cooler line in @ the bottom out @ the top, so you don't trap air bubbles.

Good luck

 

[high country cruiser]

o'yea

DO A FRONT-END ALIGNMENT FIRST (TOE-IN) afterwards it's not possible.

 

[ntsqd]

Weld the tie rod tabs to a pair of these, then you can adjust the toe.

 

[Broknrunner]

The pics are great thanks! Very cool setup.

Does anyone have any input on a Saginaw pump conversion? Do the Saginaw pumps with the attached reservoir have enough capacity? This seems like a cheap solution to the high volume pump issue...

 

[CruisinFJ60]

I run the trail gear set up on both of my trucks cause well it was cheap. A ram is a ram plain and simple. Mine is a 6". I still have the stock yota pump on both of them and on my crawler it struggles pretty heavily at times when twisted up in the rocks, but I am also running large heavy tires (39.5x18-15 boggers) I plan on putting a saginaw on the crawler to hopefully boost its power and maybe delay me from going to full hydro (will happen in time anyhow tho).

Run a cooler as you will be needing it especially if you wheel the truck, the fluid get hot and fast depending how hard you are working the pump, I have had mine get so hot it spews out even when just low speed but having to work the wheel.

hydro assist is pretty awesome tho, well worth the small investment.

 

[rolladude1166]

I've noticed that all the pictures on here are SOA. Is it possible, or reasonable to run it with a SUA setup?

 

[Mace]

Of course it is. You just have to mount the ram differently. I am about to do it to my 60 with a surplus center ram.

 

[Broknrunner]

Mace, are you building your brackets? What hardware/hoses etc. are you using? I like the price of that ram, but I am not sure if it will be much cheaper than a TG setup once I source everything...

 

[Mace]

Yes I am going to build my own brackets, it really is not that hard. Mine will be ties into the front diff cover that has been strengthened. And I have been looking for a clamp like ntsqd posted up to match up to the Stock FJ60 Tie rod. (1.15 OD by my crappy HF caliper)

the extra wide 1" bore shaft collar may be the ticket. If not, I can probably machine it out to be an interference fit.. I have not decided if I want one piece or two piece.. One piece may have superior clamping power and easier to mount tabs to.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#shaft-collars/=gchuw9


Hoses will be from a local hose place. Not terribly expensive either.
The nice thing about having your hoses custom made is that you will have the correct length hoses, not something that might work..

 

[Broknrunner]

Starting the project...

Well, I got all of the big stuff ordered. GM pump, pulley, cooler, ram, box rebuild kit. All that is left are hoses, fittings and fab... I will post my totals, problems and results when I am done. Hopefully a week or two but no promises...

 

[rolladude1166]

Alright! Keep us up to date! I'm looking forward to the result!

 

[high country cruiser]

The hoses are the easy part

I used the hoses that you cut the end, screw on the outer section and then screw in the inner section. They work well and you have a custom fit.

 

[Broknrunner]

Where did you get the house and fittings?

 

[high country cruiser]

PSC

but I'm sure the same design is available anywhere.

It has to be the high pressure hose.