hydroram mounting.... (1 Viewer)

[woody]

Option one, behind the axle, solid mount on the pumpkin, slider mount on the tie rod. This is less than ideal since the ram would be directly below the motor, and while likely ok, not my favorite spot...ALSO, this requires a 8" stroke ram, and mine is only 6"....and since it has 5 days of wheelin on it, I'm not a fan of putting on a new one....

option two is running off the top of the pumpkin and off the steering arm on the passenger side. Lots of advantages to this one, including keeping the 6" stroke, but it will again be tight, this time with the frame. I suspect my next step will be to temp-install the axle to see what hits/fits. Anyone have issue with this mouting location??

 

[The Dude]

OOOOH I can't wait for my 4x4lab arms to get here. They look so cool

I got Luke to send me a set with long arms out the front on both sides. I was planning on using the free end for the ram. Should be a an easy fit. I hope.

Looking good Woody!

 

[HI^C]

7 pics of all the same side, damn your good.

does the drivers side have the front part of the hysteer arm?

 

[hammerhead]

Woody, see what it looks like behind the axle on the other side similar to option #2 in your pics. Also, remember while you are looking at the other side, that you may not be able to change the throw but you can change the overall length (threaded ends).

 

[woody]

Yeah, I just got an email from Luke on using a double end on the passenger side...that might be the ticket, will mock up that up tonight.

Behind the axle, off the DS steering arm...hhhmmmm..that might work too...more pics tonight.

 

[Medusa]

I like the concept of using double arms on both sides and attaching the ram to the front of the driver's side arm. Mine seems to work real well in that configuration....when it is not getting bent, that is :-\

 

[woody]

My YM's today have tossed lots of ideas...first, from a leverage standpoint, my best option is using the tie rod, which means placing it behind the axle and purchasing an 8" ram. From a mounting standpoint, that also provides the greatest protection, and helps alleviate any concerns on up-travel with the frame and ram contact (which is on tonights mockup list too...)

My concern with the DS double arm mount setup is contact with the steering box/pitman. I already limit my uptravel there to ensure the end on the pitman doesn't contact the springs TOO hard.

Another suggestion this morning was to extend the ram rod length with a piece of DOM tubing, allowing the body of the ram to mount inside the springs, yet still use the PS mounting location shown. Another easy mockup idea, and it would only mean switching to a male 5/8 heim (and I have a few laying around...)

Will be a busy night of tack-and-test....yee hah...lol

 

[woody]

well, that answers that...WTOR doesn't expect to have 8" stroke 1.5" diameter rams in stock for over a week....which is too long. Guess the 6"er is gonna get fabbed in tonight regardless

 

[woody]

Final experiment...this positioning allows for VERY easy installation of the 8" ram once it's available....that's a 12.5" extension in the middle tho!!

 

[tclndcrz]

Do you think hydrolic assist is needed with a 37" tire? Would it put more or less stress on the ps pump?

I dont know much about this subject. Just curious for future plans.

 

[CruisinGA]

Read the earlier thread on hydro assist-I hijacked and asked many questions similar to what you just asked. Hopefully we won't have to hijack two of woody's threads.

 

[tclndcrz]

[quote author=CruisinGA link=board=12;threadid=16531;start=msg159497#msg159497 date=1084928203]
Read the earlier thread on hydro assist-I hijacked and asked many questions similar to what you just asked. Hopefully we won't have to hijack two of woody's threads.
[/quote]

word

Looks cool woody

 

[wngrog]

You have officially polished the "Cruiser Axle Turd" beyond imagination.

Giddy up!!

 

[sodaboyYJ]

Well well well, I'm glad my extention idea is working.........at least in the setup.

As much as it pains me to say/type it........looks good fawker

 

[gunmetalcruz]

Woody, One of my friends is had real bad luck keeping his knuckle studs tight or from breaking. Do you have any tricks ofr running the new arms? And yes he tightens them multiple times per run,pre run, and I helped ghim install them with red lock tight.

 

[woody]

I've never busted knuckle studs, but have rarely found them loose.....stock knuckles with a welded double arm, AllPro histeer without hydro assist (and in Moab w/Hydro assist)

The Haynes manual is drastically wrong on the torque setting...should be 79ftlbs. I use red locktite on the studs to install, and make sure they are REAL tight in the knuckle (double nut to crank in). I then use antiseize on the cones so they come out if necessary...and torque them every morning prior to a ride. I had one that was a "touch" loose in Moab, but discovered the stud wasn't tight in the knuckle.

The threads are M12x1.25, an oddball superfine size. I ordered a tap and die from MSCDirect.com for about $25 delivered....UPS ground from their Indiana warehouse is next day for me

If ya run hydro assist, the suggestion from LakeRat and the others is to run the ram off the tie rod and not an arm directly. Provides a bit more force distribution. My solid mount ram brackets are "set" but I may adjust them prior to final install...may have them a bit far from the tie rod (noticed after I set steering stops- d'oh)


BTW: for those keeping track, I wisely opted to wait for a proper 8" stroke ram for the install...the last pic above even exceeded my bootyfab meter! lol

 

[Isotel]

Oh woody the master...

Why TRE over Heims?? It seems that you have alot of experence and you have put a lot of different steering setups on your truck! also what TRE's are you using??

 

[woody]

The TRE's included with the 4x4Labs arms are 1-ton GM stuff. 7/8 thread, and nearly indestructable. Luke can also do 80 size or heims or whatever.

TRE's offer longer life and no need for double shear installation.

My final setup will actually be a mix.....TRE's for the tie rod. A TRE at the steering arm for the drag link, and a 3/4 thread 5/8 bore heim at the pitman. We needed to create a mixed setup at the pitman since my SOA is low enuf and the Scout PS conversion is tight enuf that the zerk fitting on the TRE actually touched the spring pack at ride height...Luke is making a custom tube for me this coming week, I'll be testing this weekend with a "temp" fix I whipped up in the shop.

Yeah, I've done quite a few...stock, welded double arm with stock rods, welded double with 5/8 heims, AllPro histeer with heims, AllPro histeer with heims and hydro assist, this weekend will be 4x4 Labs arms, and the hydro assist will get readded in a week or so. Add in the fact that I ran 77 knuckles and then upgraded to minitruck knuckles with the first AllPro install, and the mix of updates gets even messier...

Someday, I'll quit improving the rig. Right now, other than the lunchbox locker, the front axle is MAXED on available improvements, pretty much the best out there for strength and performance. Hopefully, my reshim job solves the locker issue I developed in Moab, otherwise it's likely ARB time...

It had leaky inner seals anyways....

 

[wngrog]

[quote author=isotel link=board=12;threadid=16531;start=msg164910#msg164910 date=1085642572]
Oh woody the master...

Why TRE over Heims?? It seems that you have alot of experence and you have put a lot of different steering setups on your truck! also what TRE's are you using??
[/quote]

Why? Because heims suck

Looking great Woody!

 

[hammerhead]

[quote author=woody link=board=12;threadid=16531;start=msg164933#msg164933 date=1085660000]

Someday, I'll quit improving the rig.

[/quote]

: Yeah... OK...