rock ram steering alternative
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Harrisburg, NE
rock ram steering alternative
i had an idea, im not sure how good it is, but here goes, ford highboys used a power steering setup that used a cylinder attached to the steering linkage (please correct me if im wrong) that is identical to a rock ram steering setup, just less heavy duty, what im getting at is, if you have an extra cylinder and used good engineering (of course) could you double your steering power, and therefore chop wheel effort in half? would this work as a lowcost alternative to a rock ram? any other good steering tricks out there?
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Harrisburg, NE
rock ram steering alternative
no? then what about the power steering cylinder off a 57 gmc two ton truck? it is 3 inches outer diameter, and has a little longer travel. and it can be hooked up the same.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
rock ram steering alternative
You know, I just don't know how feasible/effective that would or woudn't be. You did ask for tricks though so I thought I would throw cross-over steering into the ring. Makes a BIG difference. Thought I'd add at least this since nobody was jumping this topic, guess you asked a really good question. I say tinker with it and let us know how it works...you could be designing the next great do-it-yourself junkyard modification.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: CT
rock ram steering alternative
i suppose any type of hydraulic ram attached to your steering will help turn your tires, the only thing is you need to have your steering box fitted for the lines to run to the ram so that it pushes or pulls when it should. I'd say go for the GMC ram (or any hydraulic ram with enough push and pull to completely turn the tires) and yes, crossover steering would make a big difference too, It's not that expensive or even that hard to make yourself.
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: PDX
rock ram steering alternative
Maybe you guys should look at this site. www.westtexasoffroad.com $450 gets you everything you need to go hydrolic assited on your steering. Matt the owner is a great guy and stands behind his work.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Harrisburg, NE
rock ram steering alternative
ok cool maybe i'll get a picture and measurements of the two ton cylinder and of the stock style cylinder and try to find out whether or not it is possible to get it to work, and also,what is cross over steering?
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
rock ram steering alternative
I covered this extensively in a past thread, and don't have the time right now to re-post. Do a search under cross over steering, or maybe x-over, or even my user name.
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Posting Guru
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From: CT
rock ram steering alternative
crossover steering, instead of tierod ends it uses spherical rod ends for greater strength and is mounted on the top of the arm that stick out for the tierod (stock it stits on the bottom), and then mounted directly on top of the passenger side link the drag link is attached. this not only moves your tierod up further, somewhat more out of harms way, but it makes the draglink angle less and dissapates some of the bumbsteer.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
rock ram steering alternative
I would add that you can actually use rod ends, or heim joints, and that you need to swap the 4x steering box with the 2x variety to get the shaft pointing vertically versus the horizontal stock position.
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Postmaster
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From: Harrisburg, NE
rock ram steering alternative
Originally posted by proeliator
you need to swap the 4x steering box with the 2x variety to get the shaft pointing vertically versus the horizontal stock position.
you need to swap the 4x steering box with the 2x variety to get the shaft pointing vertically versus the horizontal stock position.
-stupid streak!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2001
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rock ram steering alternative
The highboy used a system just like you described. You may check around at some local induatrial supply places. I had a 1 1/2" hydraulic ram custom made for me and it cost me right at $100. Not a bad deal for a brand new ram and it workd great. Using a larger ram will give you more steering power but unless you have a pump that can move enough volume and maintain proper pressure the ram will move too slowly. If you want to upgrade I'd go w/ a saginaw pump (I believe they run higher pressure than the old Ford syle) and a 2" ram. What you would need is a 2"bore double acting hydraulic cylinder w/ an 8" stroke. It take a minimum of 8" of stroke length to turn the wheels lock to lock on the tie rod mounted ram.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Oregon
rock ram steering alternative
Originally posted by muscletruck7379
ok pro, ypur losing me again, i understand what your saying about getting it verticle, but you lost me on the 2x and 4x part.
ok pro, ypur losing me again, i understand what your saying about getting it verticle, but you lost me on the 2x and 4x part.
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Postmaster
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From: Harrisburg, NE
rock ram steering alternative
Originally posted by 72f100
Using a larger ram will give you more steering power but unless you have a pump that can move enough volume and maintain proper pressure the ram will move too slowly. If you want to upgrade I'd go w/ a saginaw pump (I believe they run higher pressure than the old Ford syle)
Using a larger ram will give you more steering power but unless you have a pump that can move enough volume and maintain proper pressure the ram will move too slowly. If you want to upgrade I'd go w/ a saginaw pump (I believe they run higher pressure than the old Ford syle)
already ahead of ya!
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