Hydro assist ram (1 Viewer)

[bwakeling]

Would like to add a hydro assist setup to my 80 and trying to figure out what ram to go with. I would like to install it in the factory tie rod position behind the axle which I believe requires a 10 in ram. Have to rebuild the steering box so a bit of a while I am in there project.

PSC has a 1.75" by 10" stroke ram but I am worried 1.75 bore will be too slow with the stock ps pump. Any suggestions for rams?

 

[pandathrust]

west texas offroad. Used one on my brothers hydro assist SOA 62 and it works well with the stock components. I think it was around $500 for a rebuilt and tapped steering box with the ram kit, but you can see the pricing on the order form if you only need specific parts.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

I think an 8" ram would be sufficient. I run a 10x1.75" ram. The stock 1fz power steering pump isn't as efficient as I'd hoped, but it works as long as you're not really driving it... you'd fail a slolem course for sure. As long as you're not doing any quick back and forth steering it's good, make sure you have a good power steering cooler and it would probably be better.

 

[Oscar Witte]

I'm looking into a hydro assist system soon as well. I'm not ruse what makes the difference between different bore and rod diameters. On pirate someone was running 6x1.5 with .75 rod diameter.

 

[bwakeling]

Bigger bore as I understand it means slower steering....not great from a truck driven on the road.

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

Big bore with big piston (rod) is equivalent to a smaller bore with smaller rod. The sluggishness factor depends on the difference in fluid space. Example being if you have a ram with a cylinder with say 200 cm^3 of space and the rod takes up 100 cm^3 you have 100 cm^3 of fluid space. Now if you have a 400 cm^3 cylinder and the rod is 300 cm^3 you still have 100cm^2 of fluid space. So you can have a big ram and quick response or a small ram with slow response. It's all in the cylinder to piston ratio. Keep in mind these figures are figurative not realistic and this example has been overly simplified.

 

[Oscar Witte]

That makes sense, but I'm guessing less fluid space equals less strength. What size is the rod on your ram @LandCruisinMy93 ?

 

[LandCruisinMy93]

That makes sense, but I'm guessing less fluid space equals less strength. What size is the rod on your ram @LandCruisinMy93 ?

I'm not sure on the exact dimensions of my ram, it's been a few years since the install.

 

[nukegoat]

Use a rhd steering arm and run a 8x1.5 in the front. Less throw on the front of the arm.

 

[joez]

Use a rhd steering arm and run a 8x1.5 in the front. Less throw on the front of the arm.

What he said. With my steering up front, the 8" ram is dead on perfect for the travel. If you are staying behind the axle, you will probably need a 10".

 

[Tapage]

What he said. With my steering up front, the 8" ram is dead on perfect for the travel. If you are staying behind the axle, you will probably need a 10".

8" it's little short .. like an inch or less .. ideally a 10" with a inch stop .. but 8" will even help to take care of your birfs and knuckles ..

I would not go over 1.5" with stock pump for a DD ..

 

[nukegoat]

8" it's little short .. like an inch or less .. ideally a 10" with a inch stop .. but 8" will even help to take care of your birfs and knuckles ..

I would not go over 1.5" with stock pump for a DD ..

8" is perfect up front. A hair too long, but you can externally limit the ram

 

[2fpower]

I put mine in rear, somewhat protected from most ninja rocks. Only unforseen issue was that I had to remove the anti roll bar due to clearance issues. and I did put in 90 degree ends because of another ninja rock that hit the line.

1.5" and 10" stroke. I did put a stop collar on it, as It needed to be closer to 9".

pretty sure this is the one I bought.

http://www.surpluscenter.com/Brands...-Hydraulic-Cylinder-Swivel-Eyes-9-7258-10.axd

Pics of my install.

What the Foo is this???

I feel that it works really good with the PS pump. I do notice for major turning I pop it in neutral give it some gas, and it turns really easy.

I added a/c earlier this year and it bumps the throttle up a little that helps the steering a lot.

 

[nukegoat]

I put mine in rear, somewhat protected from most ninja rocks. Only unforseen issue was that I had to remove the anti roll bar due to clearance issues. and I did put in 90 degree ends because of another ninja rock that hit the line.

1.5" and 10" stroke. I did put a stop collar on it, as It needed to be closer to 9".

pretty sure this is the one I bought.

1.5x10x1 DA Hydraulic Cylinder Swivel Eyes | Surplus Center | Brands | www.surpluscenter.com

Pics of my install.

What the Foo is this???

I feel that it works really good with the PS pump. I do notice for major turning I pop it in neutral give it some gas, and it turns really easy.

I added a/c earlier this year and it bumps the throttle up a little that helps the steering a lot.

The rod diameter of that ram is too big, no? The difference is like 1.75:1 in push vs pull

 

[2fpower]

The rod diameter of that ram is too big, no? The difference is like 1.75:1 in push vs pull

You are almost always speaking over my head Mr. Nukegoat. I did not stay at holiday inn, and i am not an engineer, so I ask advice here on MUD, then build said thing.

My point is that the setup has worked great, don't know why it works, or if it could work better.

$175 for ram and hoses/fittings and I was rolling.

On another note, I am getting close to ordering parts for the rear Y link setup, so I will be hitting you up for advice again on the final parts order.

 

[nukegoat]

You are almost always speaking over my head Mr. Nukegoat. I did not stay at holiday inn, and i am not an engineer, so I ask advice here on MUD, then build said thing.

My point is that the setup has worked great, don't know why it works, or if it could work better.

$175 for ram and hoses/fittings and I was rolling.

On another note, I am getting close to ordering parts for the rear Y link setup, so I will be hitting you up for advice again on the final parts order.

Lol im just saying the ram has less power retracting than it does extending. So itll feel asymmetric. Thats all. They all have this problem to one extent or another but smaller rod diameter makes it more even.

 

[2fpower]

Lol im just saying the ram has less power retracting than it does extending. So it'll feel asymmetric. That's all. They all have this problem to one extent or another but smaller rod diameter makes it more even.

Can't say I have noticed less power one direction or the other. Will have to see if I notice now that you opened your mouth. I can say that it easily moves rocks out of the way and never been in a situation where it would not turn.

Also, this upgrade made FOO wheel easy.... point and shoot. Great for kids and newbies to enjoy offroading. The on road characteristics are not great though. No road feel, and without the sway bar, not very good on the slalom.


Finally, don't forget to upgrade your P/S cooler. I used a big old ford (hard plate) unit from a junkyard and have a pusher fan from a 100 series.

 

[Oscar Witte]

So what would a correct size rod be if one was going with a 1.5" bore? @nukegoat

 

[nukegoat]

So what would a correct size rod be if one was going with a 1.5" bore? @nukegoat

I like the 8x1.5x.625 psc ram

 

[bwakeling]

Thanks for the replies. Going with the RHD steering arm would have lots of room to work with but wouldn't that put substantially more pressure on the DS knuckle compared to the push and pull more evenly distributing the force when its on the tie road? I am not worried about clearance behind the axle because I am not running sway bars.

This is not a daily driver but it does get driven to the trail so I would like it to have decent road manners. Is there a difference in response between a 8 and 10 inch stroke ram?