OK i know we have been overwhelmed with questions about hyro assist, but it has now come down to the ram. I posted three pics, all from Northern tool. Can those that have assist please tell me which is the better and if all or none will work. All have 2" bore 8"stroke.

another

Last one

I personally like the first one..but you need to make sure that the hoses won't get in the way. With the other two designs, you can rotate the ports to orientate them differently from the mounting points.

dom i got to get me one of thows

a good reliabl name:D

The first one. It is rebuildable, even on the trail by hands only, no tools, more exspensive but better in the long run. You can carry A rebuild kit with you. the second one is A throwaway. The first one pays for itself the first time you need to work on it. I have the first one also.

Are you sure about that? 1st time I've ever heard of a welded cylinder being refered to being "easy to repair".:eek: Seriously, the Tie -rod design is easiest to repair.

can you define repair for me? I mean if the cylynder goes in the middle of nowhere you're kinda hosed unless you bring spare seals right?
as to actuall dissasebbly I would thing the bolted together ones would be preferable, take out the four long bolts and pull the endcaps right?

You need to call Matt (Lake Rat) and ask him He's done a few hundred of these.....Phone.. 915-651-5010

www.westtexasoffroad.com
:beer: :beer:

I like the bottom 2 best myself. Can rotate ports, and are the easiest to rebuild in the field, both ends come off with the removal of 4 nuts, unless you comonly cary a spanner wrench. No fancy scewdriver hamer tooling to turn out the packing ring. Of the bottom to I prefer the chief, overall lenght is a few inches shorter, clevis's are more compacked. :usa: :usa: :usa:

I tried to call matt a few times but can't get a hold of him. I like the second one too but i only see one spot for hydro lines. Do they all come with two fittings for lines or not?

Originally posted by Brawler
I tried to call matt a few times but can't get a hold of him. I like the second one too but i only see one spot for hydro lines. Do they all come with two fittings for lines or not?

As far as I know you don't get any fittings with the ram (I didn't). All you need are 3/8 NPT pressure hoses and you got it.....:beer: :beer:

Originally posted by Shaker


As far as I know you don't get any fittings with the ram (I didn't). All you need are 3/8 NPT pressure hoses and you got it.....:beer: :beer:

I meant are there always two spots for fittings?

Originally posted by Brawler


I meant are there always two spots for fittings?

YEP.........

thanks, i think i'll go with the middle one. $ 49.99 Northern tool.

Brawler, it really depends on the amount of room you have. The welded cylinder is easier to fit because they are usually shorter and narrower. However you have to make sure that the ports are on the same plane as the pins. when you mount the ram you want it to be able to move with the steering arm. So the pin should be vertical

when the pins are vertical you need the ports to be on the top of the housing. It is easier to bleed the ram that way..

On the Tie Rod cylinders there is usually a dual port on the base and a single port on the end that is closest to the ram part...

I would say go with the Cheap Tie rod.

BTW. As longas you are not going full hydraulic you can always cap off the lines if the ram goes bad...


And welded cylinders used to not be rebuildable. They are now.. Not a big difference between the longevity of the two types...


I have a welded cylinder because of room issues...

Originally posted by Jason M
Brawler, it really depends on the amount of room you have. The welded cylinder is easier to fit because they are usually shorter and narrower. However you have to make sure that the ports are on the same plane as the pins. when you mount the ram you want it to be able to move with the steering arm. So the pin should be vertical

when the pins are vertical you need the ports to be on the top of the housing. It is easier to bleed the ram that way..

On the Tie Rod cylinders there is usually a dual port on the base and a single port on the end that is closest to the ram part...

I would say go with the Cheap Tie rod.

BTW. As longas you are not going full hydraulic you can always cap off the lines if the ram goes bad...


And welded cylinders used to not be rebuildable. They are now.. Not a big difference between the longevity of the two types...


I have a welded cylinder because of room issues...



Thanks for all the info. I ordered the one in pic # 2. I went with assist and bought caps for the fittings in case of problems. I am goint to increase flow ONLY, with instructions given by Lakerat, so even if the ram fails i still have decent steering.