I was going to post this as a reply, but thought that I would get more responces if I posted it as a new topic. And if anyone else had questions, they might find them answered in this thread.
Ive alwasy wondered about going this route myself, the ability to turn sharper, tighter, and quicker. As well as it looks cool, has a great bling factor, and you dont see it everyday. But I always thought that it would be a weaker setup compaired to just a straight axle. because of all the additional parts, and that it wasent solid, so you have more exposed parts to be able to get damaged.( Rotating or not.)
What Im looking for is the pros and cons of going rear stear, as well as all the options that you can combine them with. to make them stronger, more efficent, user friendly, and/or just more expensive.
Before one decides to go Rear-Steer, what does one need to understand what they are getting them selves into? Is this an easy swap? can you do this at home? or should you have this done at a shop where they do many conversions? Is it safe for the road? If not, can it be made safe for the road? or should one keep it for off road use only? How much is one looking to spend on a mod. such as this?
So you have decided to go with a Rear-Steer setup. Ok, well you cant just bolt it up in there and go like a set of tires or a new transfercase. How do you get the rear axle to steer? Also, do you have it setup to steer with the front, opposite of the front or can you add a switch and manafold to vary the direction the tires turn. Flip a switch up to go one way, down for the other? Can the stearing be locked out hydraulicly or another way? so the rear tires become centered once again allowing you to utilise only the front stearing?
After you decide which way to turn, Which type of equipment is right for you to use? Full hydraulic, single ram, double ram, ram assist?
And most importantly, how do you get the Hydraulics to the back of your vehicle inorder to provide the flow that you need to turn your back wheels?
How do I get my rear-steer to ... Steer. Well, As with our front stearing, if you want to turn easier you have to have a stearing pump (or a small hydraulic pump) to help assist in steering. But will a pump so small made for only the front axle (which does a very good job) at it) and will very slowly run a hydraulic winch when tee'd in and not using the stearing.. be able to run two sets of axles at the same time? and provide the nessary flow all the way back to the rear axles. or do we need to look at going with a stand alone Hydraulic pump. If thats the case.. What type of pump is the best choice to use?
From what I know about pumps, theres only four options that produce flow. You have Gear pumps, Piston pumps, Vane pumps and Lobe driven pumps. from there, you can go with a PTO driven pump from your transmission if avi. a belt driven pump from your engine or an electric pump where you can setup almost anywhere. then you have to decide which type suits your needs best, and from which location you want to run yours from.
Alot of people say that its not safe to run full hydro on the streets because of how sharp you can turn and possibly flip your vehicle, or worse yet cause an accident. But isint there a way to controll the flow if your running a standalone hydraulic system? I belive the Vane pump allows for adjustment of flow, Cant you just turn down the flow untill you get the desired resistance to allow you to turn your wheels with out flipping end over end when you sneeze? same with the electric motor, get a 2 or 3 speed HD motor to controll your flow, or add a bypass back to tank, and open the bypass valve untill you have only enough fluid power to turn the wheels slowly.
Well, i seemed to have typed more than I thought... sorry its so long.
I know I have not questioned every detail, but I think I would end up writing a book about it if I went that far. and there would be too many un-answered questions. I figured for right now I have covered the basics. What is needed to get started. after we figure this out, we can get more detailed.
Im looking for opinions, thoughts, absolutes, your setups, questions and more. Anything to help shead more light to this subject.
Thanks
-Ron
Ive alwasy wondered about going this route myself, the ability to turn sharper, tighter, and quicker. As well as it looks cool, has a great bling factor, and you dont see it everyday. But I always thought that it would be a weaker setup compaired to just a straight axle. because of all the additional parts, and that it wasent solid, so you have more exposed parts to be able to get damaged.( Rotating or not.)
What Im looking for is the pros and cons of going rear stear, as well as all the options that you can combine them with. to make them stronger, more efficent, user friendly, and/or just more expensive.
Before one decides to go Rear-Steer, what does one need to understand what they are getting them selves into? Is this an easy swap? can you do this at home? or should you have this done at a shop where they do many conversions? Is it safe for the road? If not, can it be made safe for the road? or should one keep it for off road use only? How much is one looking to spend on a mod. such as this?
So you have decided to go with a Rear-Steer setup. Ok, well you cant just bolt it up in there and go like a set of tires or a new transfercase. How do you get the rear axle to steer? Also, do you have it setup to steer with the front, opposite of the front or can you add a switch and manafold to vary the direction the tires turn. Flip a switch up to go one way, down for the other? Can the stearing be locked out hydraulicly or another way? so the rear tires become centered once again allowing you to utilise only the front stearing?
After you decide which way to turn, Which type of equipment is right for you to use? Full hydraulic, single ram, double ram, ram assist?
And most importantly, how do you get the Hydraulics to the back of your vehicle inorder to provide the flow that you need to turn your back wheels?
How do I get my rear-steer to ... Steer. Well, As with our front stearing, if you want to turn easier you have to have a stearing pump (or a small hydraulic pump) to help assist in steering. But will a pump so small made for only the front axle (which does a very good job) at it) and will very slowly run a hydraulic winch when tee'd in and not using the stearing.. be able to run two sets of axles at the same time? and provide the nessary flow all the way back to the rear axles. or do we need to look at going with a stand alone Hydraulic pump. If thats the case.. What type of pump is the best choice to use?
From what I know about pumps, theres only four options that produce flow. You have Gear pumps, Piston pumps, Vane pumps and Lobe driven pumps. from there, you can go with a PTO driven pump from your transmission if avi. a belt driven pump from your engine or an electric pump where you can setup almost anywhere. then you have to decide which type suits your needs best, and from which location you want to run yours from.
Alot of people say that its not safe to run full hydro on the streets because of how sharp you can turn and possibly flip your vehicle, or worse yet cause an accident. But isint there a way to controll the flow if your running a standalone hydraulic system? I belive the Vane pump allows for adjustment of flow, Cant you just turn down the flow untill you get the desired resistance to allow you to turn your wheels with out flipping end over end when you sneeze? same with the electric motor, get a 2 or 3 speed HD motor to controll your flow, or add a bypass back to tank, and open the bypass valve untill you have only enough fluid power to turn the wheels slowly.
Well, i seemed to have typed more than I thought... sorry its so long.
I know I have not questioned every detail, but I think I would end up writing a book about it if I went that far. and there would be too many un-answered questions. I figured for right now I have covered the basics. What is needed to get started. after we figure this out, we can get more detailed.
Im looking for opinions, thoughts, absolutes, your setups, questions and more. Anything to help shead more light to this subject.
Thanks
-Ron
