Heres the deal: I want to put a ram assist on my tj, so I call Howe to get a price on their 1.5 in ram. He asks me what I was going to do with my pump and box. I tell him I plan on using the stock box and drill and tap myself. He wanted to know about the pump also, I told him I would run the stock pump for now and upgrade/ modify if I needed to.

Well he said that the way he modifies the box is not just a drill and tap, and the way I was planning would not work. He would not sell just the ram because his name was on it and he didn't want his name on a system that would not function.

Here is the total price for what he would sell me.


1.5 in ram 185
my pump modified 280
modified box 475
filter 150
resivor 185

total 1090

Sounds like way to much $$$$ to me. I have read a bunch of posts where people have made there own work.

Any comments from you experts?

Use the SEARCH function. There are many threads on this subject.:flipoff2:

NEWBY SMACK NEWBY

Use the search for "TheLakeRat" or WestTexasOffroad...

Yes, I'm a quick learner :flipoff2:

Um....I'm kinda new here, but isn't it....NEWBIE?

Probably kinda hard to type with your sleeves tied together behind your back.

When your inbred its not. :p :D :p

hmmm, I did search and have read many posts on the subject. The post was directed towards a company trying to screw over fellow wheelers.

What other mods does Howe do to the gearbox to make it "better" or are they just blowing smoke up my ass?

Newbie, damn I have been around here for over 2 yrs.

Actually there is an article in this months Peterson's 4Wheel & Off-Road about Howe's hydraulic setup.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57042&highlight=hydraulic+steering

Originally posted by Snatch Block
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=57042&highlight=hydraulic+steering

YEA YEA YEA ,I allready read that thread and also the article in Petersons. The problem is finding a 1.5 in bore Ram, I called Matt and was told he may have some in next monday, If so GREAT!!

I just don't like to be treated the way Howe treated me. You either spend 1100 bucks or you don't get the ram. Nice way to treat someone who wants to spend a little cash.

How many people has he done this to that don't know any better?

I think that agr is cheaper:

http://www.agrperformance.com/agr/

Actually, I can see his point, I wouldn't want my name on a part of some guy's system that didn't work worth a shiznit, but you'd think he'd give you the name of his supplier, or make suggestions on how to make your setup work better, but then, he does have to put food on the table.

Damn ... If I was him I'd pull the sticker off and sell the ram, who would know then? Also if my set-up did not work out like I wished I would of probabbly went back to Howe and bought their pump and box.

My friend has modified his box with a stock pump and is using a 2 in bore but wished he had a 1.5 in for speed.

I know this works but I'm still wondering what other mods theses guys do to the boxes to make them so much better than the drill and tap mod.

Originally posted by TJREX
hmmm, I did search and have read many posts on the subject. The post was directed towards a company trying to screw over fellow wheelers.

What other mods does Howe do to the gearbox to make it "better" or are they just blowing smoke up my ass?

Newbie, damn I have been around here for over 2 yrs.

Geez, seems nobody understands what you're asking, so I'll answer.

Yes, he probably is blowing smoke up your ass, go with what ya know. Drill it, tap it, and plumb lines to your ram.

I couldn't find a 1.5" bore ram anywhere either. Princess Auto in Canada carries 'em for right around $100 US, so find yourself a nice Canadian willing to pick one up for ya and you'll be in business.

And just a note, that thread someone posted a link with pictures of 1TONTJ's setup, be aware that his front connection eventually cracked and leaked. The front cover of the steering box isn't thick enough to handle the pressure. He wound up having a thick chunk welded to the front cover and re-drilled and tapped...

Dave

Here is another I stumbled upon:

http://members.tripod.com/surfmac/html66


:flipoff2:

Thanks....

That is a good site also. Now to get a 1.5 in ram......

I always thought the pump and box mod would be the easiset thing to do , compared to the mounts I will have to fab up for the ram. The tie rod end will not be difficult but hooking into the axle end will be very challenging. I was looking at the passenger side spring perch (underneath) I could just drill out the mount and add spacers as needed,

http://community.webshots.com/photo/30867965/30868097GXmaKidPBE

but my hemi will be vertical and my tie rod moves closer to the axle when I am at full lock so idealy I would want it horiziontal , but I havent figured out a good way to do that yet.