Well I got everything together to install my hydro assist steering this weekend. Lake Rat's adjusted box and a 2x6" ram (normal for a toyota axle, 44's and 60's are usually 2x8"). Just for grins I tried to figure out how for the tie rod moves from lock to lock. The saginaw box has about a 7" throw to it. Lock to lock on the tie rod was 4" :eek: Unfortunately when I did the spring reversal and went to hysteering I had the arms shortened so that I could move the front axle as far forward as possible with out having any binding issues. Worked perfectly. However now I have to get another Ram (2.5x4" this time) to make this thing work. If it is not one thing it is another it seems :rolleyes:
FIx one thing and another thing shows up.

Any one want a 2x6" hydro ram for $52.00???:D


BTW, LakeRat has been working with me on this and has been a godsend. He is worth every drop of money that I spent..... He will always have my buisness....

How will this ram work with spring over and shackle flip with axle in its stock location???..Can you send me pics of how it looks??...I really want to add hydro assist when I do the power steering conversion! ( finally found all the parts)...Thanks ..~CLINT~..

Originally posted by AZFJ
How will this ram work with spring over and shackle flip with axle in its stock location???..Can you send me pics of how it looks??...I really want to add hydro assist when I do the power steering conversion! ( finally found all the parts)...Thanks ..~CLINT~..

Here is a pic of my setup with SO and SR, the axle is moved fwd 2 inches over stock location.



HTH

What kind of PS setup do you have? Scout or Saginaw 800? Would a shorter pitman arm help or are your steering arms giving you full steering travel with only 4" of stroke?

Reguardless of how much stroke you have in the ram and how much you actually use, the ram will not keep extending past the 4" of stroke that your steering setup has. When the steering knuckles hit the steering stops, there is an internal bypass valve in the saginaw box that will bypass the fluid going to the ram and the ram will not provide any more power. I know some people have put spacers on the ram's shaft to prevent overtravel, but I don't think it is necessary. Why don't you ask LakeRat it this is true.

I have the standard saginaw 800 ps. And right now I am getting full turning from lock to lock. It is the arms that make the throw so short. I chatted with Matt about this and he was of the opinion that a a 2" difference is a bit more than you really want. So I went to a shorter stroke. Although sitting back and thinking that if I am hitting the end of the stroke of the box I should be at the end of the stroke of the ram. Donno though. I am just going to try the 2.5x4" ram... besides, a shorter ram is easier to fit.

AZFJ, the ram should work with that setup. Just jack up the front end and measure how far the tie rod moves from lock to lock. Then go from there..
:D

2.5" ram? Isn't that kind of a large piston to push. I think your steering will be very powerful, but kind of slow. Do they make them any smaller like 1.5" or 2" for the 4" length?

Originally posted by Eric
2.5" ram? Isn't that kind of a large piston to push. I think your steering will be very powerful, but kind of slow. Do they make them any smaller like 1.5" or 2" for the 4" length?

With the fact that it only has to move 4" total it should not be a problem. But we will see how well it works.