I just ordered the ram steering kit from rock logic 4x4. For my 93 on 37s and was wondering has anyone out there done one of these kits yet(pointers on where to tap into the gear box)? If not I'm planning on posting the pics for it as I go through it so that others may follow.
Just ordered ram steering
- Thread starter MTBMAN18
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The folks that sold it should be able to give you some info. I know FoxFab on here sells a kit as does West Texas Offroad.
Do you really feel you need it? I've thought about it, but to be candid, have not had much issue with the 80 on 36" TSLs and have wheeled it that way for 3+ seasons. My one fear is the extra stress. Figure if I can't turn the wheel, then it's because the truck is in position that I'm asking too much.
Do you really feel you need it? I've thought about it, but to be candid, have not had much issue with the 80 on 36" TSLs and have wheeled it that way for 3+ seasons. My one fear is the extra stress. Figure if I can't turn the wheel, then it's because the truck is in position that I'm asking too much.
I hate to say it, but I agree with Junk on this one. According to SLEE, the main reason for birf breakage is forcing the truck up an obsticle at a hard angle. I think the ram kit would just expedite that breakage.
The guys at Rock Logic are great however and I've worked with them in the past.
The guys at Rock Logic are great however and I've worked with them in the past.
I'm not sure I follow the logic in steering effort/force and birf breakage. I suspect what Christo's talking about is turning sharply at the beginning of a tough obstacle to get a tire up. The stress comes from a single birf haulling the truck's weight up and forward at the same time. The steering system would have no impact on birf stress in this situation, unless a more powerful system would let you do this in situations the stock system would not. The more I type, the more I can see that.
But still, basic equipment knowledge and care should allow the driver to either force or not force the machine no matter what steering system is on.
DougM
But still, basic equipment knowledge and care should allow the driver to either force or not force the machine no matter what steering system is on.
DougM
Make sure those knuckle studs are good n torqued....
IdahoDoug said:
That is exactly what I was getting at.
R
robbie
Guest
I do not know about the kits, do they have a bigger resivior for the extra fluid you will need to contain? both when you empty the tank and the excess volume you will need. Just a thought. later robbie
IdahoDoug said:
I agree, however, I'd tend to believe that a ram steering system would dampen a bunch of the feed back the vehicle's steering is providing the driver. Currently, when my truck is sitting with both axles locked in a buch of large rocks, it's a bear to steer. Thus, steering my way up a rock becomes a decision of how much stress I want to put on the steering system to accomplish a certain line -- and there is a ton of feed back comming through that steering wheel. I think a hydraulic cylinder would just mask too much of that and isolate me from what's really going on.
That's just a guess. A properly designed system might give you all the driver feed back you need. And I'm excited to see someone take the step to try this out. But, after breaking three knuckle studs, and seeing the potential damage a steering system failure can bring, I'll admit that I'm not going to be the first one to try this out.
I have been running the RL4x4 kit for over a year now on my 40, simmply awesome. There are guys running the RL4x4 kit on 60's, 55's, OEM PS 40's, tons of mini-trucks/4-Runners, etc. No problems that I know of. I use a Saginaw PS pump, and I have never had a problem with overflow. Some of the mini-truck guys have had them foam a bit (they do it with stock PS too), so they added a bigger remote resevoir on the fender.
Brake a birf = Locked front end + toque + traction does the job. As most know turning hard left or hard right at the same time you are locked up and on good traction will expedite a birfs demise. (With or without hydro assist.)
Agreed the knuckles are more likely to be the victims to Hydro assist if the set up is too strong. (Big cylinder) However I see hydro assist as a benefit since now every time you turn right or left the right side knuckle relays 100% of the turning force through it for both sides. With hydro assist it attaches to the cross over steering rod and effectively distributes the turning force between the two knuckles evenly. The right size hydraulic cylinder properly installed would be a benefit.
Mark
Agreed the knuckles are more likely to be the victims to Hydro assist if the set up is too strong. (Big cylinder) However I see hydro assist as a benefit since now every time you turn right or left the right side knuckle relays 100% of the turning force through it for both sides. With hydro assist it attaches to the cross over steering rod and effectively distributes the turning force between the two knuckles evenly. The right size hydraulic cylinder properly installed would be a benefit.
Mark
After breaking a pitman arm & blowing the front cap out of a Saginaw box. I am convinced the Rockram reduces my breakage... 
MTBMAN18 said:
Did you ever get this ram assist installed on your 80? Any pics? What was the install like?
