Sorry im posting another thread on this in this section cause i didnt get much info in general4x4.

So i got a set of rockwells, one front/ one rear. anyway i want to know what everyone does for steering on the front. Ive seen the PSC hysteer arm, i was thinking of doin hydraulic but i dunno. I have this ram that a buddy of mine gave me like 2 years ago. Its made by prince hydraulics, i found the number to it and here are its specs: It said rated for 2500psi...
SKU 217-2508
Bore: 2.5"
Stroke: 8"
Rod Dia: 1.13"
Retract: 20.25"
Ports: #8 SAE
Pin Dia: 1"

What about orbital valves? as i have no clue, what kind of displacement etc for this ram if this ram is even a candidate??

Where can u buy orbital valves for not a million bucks? I would like to have a load sensitive one...
Steering column adapters...

I got one reply that said my ram would be slow as hell??

Am i talking to much money? should i just stick with my regular steering??

so i found this calculator and it says-
with a 2.5" piston, 1.13 shaft, 8" stroke= cylinder volume 31.25 cu in

with that cylinder volume, at 4 turns lock to lock, displacement would be-- 7.81 cu in

So i guess i would need an orbital with a displacement of 7.81 or less to not have a touchy steering??

and for 3.5 turns lock to lock it says i would need right at 8.92 cu in displacement.

so nobody can shed some light on my subject huh...

Your results seem to make sense with what I remember from doing mine. Have you checked surpluscenter.com for steering units?

since you mentioned it i just did. looked through the orbital valves. Where do you get a .858" 36 spline coupler to make a steering shaft?

Now that I think of it, I think my spud came from PSC.

since you mentioned it i just did. looked through the orbital valves. Where do you get a .858" 36 spline coupler to make a steering shaft?

Tractor supply? Custom machine house? PSC?

What are you using for a pump to supply all this volume? AGR pump or something? Do you also have hydro boost or regular vacume booster?

since you mentioned it i just did. looked through the orbital valves. Where do you get a .858" 36 spline coupler to make a steering shaft?

Borgeson Catalog (http://borgeson.com/CATALOG/06Borg_Catalog.pdf)

Look at page 4, wonder if you need the 13/16"-36 spline coupler?

4 turns lock to lock seems like a lot for a rig that won't see lots of streetduty.

I am running 2 turns lock to lock :eek: (7.6 valve & 2x8x1.25" ram). It is fast but easily managable for a rock crawler that will seldom see the road. However, I would not want the ratio to be ANY faster. :evil:

4 turns lock to lock seems like a lot for a rig that won't see lots of streetduty.

I am running 2 turns lock to lock :eek: (7.6 valve & 2x8x1.25" ram). It is fast but easily managable for a rock crawler that will seldom see the road. However, I would not want the ratio to be ANY faster. :evil:


Well i am goin to drive around on the street some. And dont want a touchy steering set up.

I am trying to use a stock GM pump late 70's early 80's style. Because i have a few of them.

I was reading about a problem with hydro and using the jeep's steering column, something about how it will never recenter and eventually brake something inside the column rendering it useless??? a clockspring? is this true? I mean wont the steering wheel turn indefinately if the steering shaft is unhooked?

Check my build, I coverd it pretty extensively there.

I was reading about a problem with hydro and using the jeep's steering column, something about how it will never recenter and eventually brake something inside the column rendering it useless??? a clockspring? is this true? I mean wont the steering wheel turn indefinately if the steering shaft is unhooked?

My 88xj column with no mods has had no problems with full hydro. The turn signals are almost worthless becuase the wheel almost never lines up correctly for them to cancel out but they still work. I dont have my horn connected, I think the switch still works I just dont have one on it.

Orbital I purchased with the input shaft for $25 extra, I just welded the stock steering shaft to the input shaft. I can still unbolt the orbital or cut my welds on the input shaft, If I had a change of plans.

Im only a 2in 1.125 8in stroke 1in pin ram, but on rockwells some guys want more power like a 2.5in 1.5 shaft. Teh larger shaft is nice on full hydro. The 2in 1.125 will be fine for 42s and a spool. I would not go smaller then a 1.125 in shaft it will likely bend in a full hydro app.

For a Orbitol Call midwest Directional services. I paid 220 for mine shipped. 7.3 load reactive reman. With 1 year warranty.

Also make sure to pick up some Amsoil Tractor Hydraulic fluid When your ready to rock ;)

okay thanks!

so it seems with a 2" ram i could get away with a 4.5 CI displacement orbital valve that i ran across on ebay. But its not load reactive. Should i pony up for a load reactive orbital or go non load reactive??

If you are running a double ended you would be stupid to not go load reactive. How much is the ram ? How much is the valve. I paid 220 Shipped for my 7.3 CU IN Load reactive valve , and It was from a company that rebuilds them. It was rebuilt , and came with a 1 yr warranty , and it was also load reactive. As for the ram it was $200 from surplus center.

okay double ended just that- 2 shafts... I was looking at a double acting ram and also at the double ended ones like the PSC rams. On surplus center they list the double sided rams as power steering rams.

I have what i call a double acting 2.5 bore 8" stroke ram, but i dont know if i can use it or not. Havent measured to see how much my steering moves yet.
I'm wanting to use a single ended double acting ram because of ease of mounting it....
I see lots of guys running single ended rams on rockwells. I assume they work?? So i guess what i am asking is could i run a single ended push pull ram?

And i looked up the website for midwest

okay double ended just that- 2 shafts... I was looking at a double acting ram and also at the double ended ones like the PSC rams. On surplus center they list the double sided rams as power steering rams.

I have what i call a double acting 2.5 bore 8" stroke ram, but i dont know if i can use it or not. Havent measured to see how much my steering moves yet.
I'm wanting to use a single ended double acting ram because of ease of mounting it....
I see lots of guys running single ended rams on rockwells. I assume they work?? So i guess what i am asking is could i run a single ended push pull ram?

And i looked up the website for midwest

Umm I think you might need some help . Double acting means it will power in , and out. Double ended means it is balanced , and will be a single ram . That sends equal force to both sides.