Pondering: Steering Rams

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
I doubt that most would need one in this type of expected use since they're really intended to push a 42" tire into a rock and make the rock move.

However, I've pondered the idea of using a small bore, say 1" or perhaps less, as an active steering damper. The reasoning behind the small bore size is fluid flow & volume demands on the pump. In reading about those using larger bores on pavement I have encountered complaints of slowed steering response due to the pump falling behind. My thinking was that I'd rather use a smaller bore than hop up the pump.

Discuss.
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
Correct. It's been my observation that adding a ram does a better job of steering damping than a damper and it obviously takes a lot of load off the box. The thread on the Troopie PS system prompted me to think on this a bit more, so I thot I'd toss it out there & see what others thot of the idea.
 

cruiseroutfit

Well-known member
I've been running hydraulic assist on my Land Cruiser for 3-4 years now, I wouldn't go back. The only time you notice it is in the rocks, which is great. I did mod my Saginaw pump (drilled the orfice). I've driven quite a few ram-assist equipped trucks, can't say there was one that had a drawback? Pretty proven system at this point. I'm a Sag "canned ham" standard pump, Saginaw 4 bolt box, and the RockLogic ram plumbed to the Saginaw box that I ported, no steering damper.
 

ujoint

Supporting Sponsor
I run a ram assist on my rig, from Lee power steering. Granted, I'm running a 38" tire, but it takes allot of stress off all the steering components. I would recommend Lee, as well as PSC. Stay away from AGR.
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
Where I was going with this personally was to be able to use the stock yota mini pump w/o mods. Don't know if that's possible or not. With a large ram I'm sure that it isn't.

I got to thinking that perhaps there are others who might be interested is such a system as well. Don't need a 1-1/4" ram to steer a 33" tire.

Though it does make for an overly complicated steering damper. If that's all you're looking to get out of it I'd just buy a bolt-on. I'm looking to reduce the load on the box and it's mounts as well, but I don't want to lose steering response.

Hadn't really intended to talk about possible vendors, but Tom Lee would be my first choice for the cylinder. His long term experience with all types of PS systems alone is worth what ever minor difference in price there might be. All of the others are mere pups in comparison.

Is AGR even still in business? Be too bad if they are.
 

chet

island Explorer
for smaller tires theres really no need. If you are having troubles turning 33" tires your toyota pump is probably tired. Its amazing what a new pump will do. I ran a toyota pump with hydro assist and 36" tires and had no troubles.

you also should not have much troubles with the stress on the box with 33" or smaller tires.

for the price of ram assist you could get a new pump and box and have a nice new steering system! Maybe get the box pre-ported and just plug the ports for now.
 

ntsqd

Heretic Car Camper
This thread wasn't really intended to be specifically about my truck (current PS is fine), but rather to discuss the idea of using a small ram to both reduce the loading on the box & mounts and to act as an active damper in place of the common passive damper.
 

chet

island Explorer
ah I see! :D if thats the case then Yes I think its a great idea if you have the money. I could not believe the difference in steering control after I added the hydro assist. I went from wandering all over the road to actually being able to keep it in one lane. Yes alot was suspension geometry causing my problems but the steering control on the hiway was a bonus. At first my ram was too big(never thought I would say that!) and steering response was slow. Once I switched to smaller ram it worked great.
 

OS-Aussie

Adventurer
I have a PSC Ram Assist on my TJ and with the bigger tires it is necessary. Rocks are not the only place it works well, any wheeling that places high feedback on the steering, benefits. This could be running gullies or any uneven terrain. Some vehicles have better original equipment than others so type of vehicle, tire size and terrain where used will be major factors in the real benefit of shelling out the money.

greenacres037.jpg


IE these tires are 39.5 high by 16.5 wide and with Ram assist are no problem in sand or rocks
 

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