Hydro Assist Options

[WREKD]

Ok, I need to pick your guys brains a little bit....again...lol. I've been doing some research on hydro assist and I think I got a pretty good idea on it from searching here and other sites.

(1) I figured I only need a 1.5" Bore cylinder as Im only running 36's right now and no more than 38's on my current setup in the future. What I dont know is how much travel I need on the ram. PSC has a 8" stroke and a 6" stroke ram. I know some of you guys were running 8" stroke rams, but that was all on Dana60's. I have a HP44, but im still guessing I need the 8" travel ram.

I was thinking this ram with the hardware kit (Is that everything I need to mount it to my axle??)

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/sc2200-15-x-...nder-p-552.html


(2) This to mount it to my tie rod

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/sccl09k-15-t...lamp-p-782.html


(3) Hoses and fittings?? This is the part I really have no clue about. I'll be running a tapped astro box (Dw I'll hit you up with a PM on that box). So i'll need to know what fittings I need for that, and then what fittings will work on the ram end of the hoses. And what kind of hose. They have low pressure and high pressure hose on their site. Im guessing I'll need the high pressure??


(4) I know I'll need a PS cooler. I was thinking this one.

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/der13212-eco...oler-p-656.html


(5) I plan on doing this mod to the pump to get more pressure

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html


(6) With that small of a ram, will I need a reservoir for more fluid capacity??? Or will it be fine with the extra capacity of the cooler??


I read this in knaffle's thread, so im guessing I dont. Just wanna make sure.


http://www.zr2usa.com/mboard/index.php?s=&...st&p=412202


Heres the best picture of my tie rod I have on this computer. My other ones being a POS. Its just 1.5" DOM mounted on top of the knuckles. I THINK it'll be right in line to mount the ram. I'll get a better picture tomorrow.

(IMG:http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i31/wrekd96/083.jpg)


My trucks gonna be in the garage for a week or so with all the stuff Im getting for it. It'll be worth it though....hopefully (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol.gif)


Thanks in advance for the help guys (IMG:style_emoticons/default/drinkbuds.gif)


EDIT: Maybe we could get a sticky goin for hydro steering?????

This post has been edited by WREKD: Jan 27 2009, 10:36 PM

[ZR2DAVESFA]

I believe you can get by w/ a 1.5 x 6" ram. We always ran the cheap TSC ones that only came in 2 x 8", usually having 2" of ram showing.

I would run a cooler for the extra fluid capacity, that way you probably won't need a reservoir. All our fittings are -6's. They are reusable, so you can just make up hoses yourself.

If your not in a great big hurry, we are getting ready to part out a 91 s-10's hydro assist. My Friend Randi will be running full hydro on his next set-up. That will include the ram. hoses, and ported astro box, maybe some brackets too. Let me know if your interested and I'll get ya a price, it'll be a fair one I promise.


Dw

[CrashKnott]

2 Dave's in here so far....

Dave, you should take Dave up on his offer! Ha haa...had to.

I think a 6" ram is not quite going to be enough throw, you almost need a 7. What you'll need to do is get an 8 and limit it, but you don't want to get a 6 and not have enough. The size and specs of the cylinder you posted are what you're after, but you don't need to buy the PSC one (get the surplus center or TSC one and save some bucks).

(2), I'm not crazy about those clamp-on mounts. If you have access to a welder and some steel scraps (1/4 should be okay), then you can save those $40 too

(3) See Dave's answer, it was a good one

(4) I just bought some hydro fluid coolers from SUMMIT with way more capacity/passes for a good bit cheaper. PSC brings the bling, but there's nothing special about the cooler you posted so no need to spend that much on it. Just get something with at least 5 or 6 passes on it andone that has a pretty good foot-print (the more passes and the larger it is, the more effective the cooler).


(6) you'll still need a reservoir even with the cooler


A good place to get a good start: Trail-Gear rocks tha hiz-ouse

[ZR2DAVESFA]

I think a 6" ram is not quite going to be enough throw, you almost need a 7. What you'll need to do is get an 8 and limit it, but you don't want to get a 6 and not have enough. The size and specs of the cylinder you posted are what you're after, but you don't need to buy the PSC one (get the surplus center or TSC one and save some bucks).




(6) you'll still need a reservoir even with the cooler

I just checked and Randy's has 2" left on an 8" ram, We have it set up on a high steer, so that may help.

Negative on the mandatory reservoir. Randi's has been going strong for almost 3 years w/ no Resi. I didn't have one on mine either before the PSC pump. Not saying don't buy one, if you want it.


Dw

[rocko451]

If Wrekd doesn't want Randy's set up. I would be interested in it.

This post has been edited by rocko451: Jan 28 2009, 11:25 AM

[WREKD]

Oh no. I want it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol.gif)


EDIT: Dave, shoot me a PM about Randi's setup.

This post has been edited by WREKD: Jan 28 2009, 11:32 AM

[WREKD]

Good, i dont need that clamp. Thats more money in my pocket.

Im gonna give it a go without the reservoir. If I do end up needing one its no big deal. Trail gear has em for like $80. But why spend $80 if I dont have to.

Could I use a tranny cooler from the local auto parts store for my cooler?? They're only about $25 IIRC.

[CrashKnott]

Yessir, you could! They are all the same thing, just different #'s of passes, more area for cooling, and different end connections (-6 hydro, or hose-barb, etc).

I would have thought you needed a reservoir, but I've been wrong about less important things.

As long as your steering works off of the same knuckle-pivot-point (i.e. kingpin or balljoint) -to- steering-arm-thru hole radius, then that's what will determine the amount of throw you'll need on your ram. For example, my Rockwell kingpin-to-high-steer thru hole is 7". Cycle the steering back and forth and I needed just less than 8" of stroke. If I had used the stock steering tie-rod hole (at a 10" radius) I would have needed a 9" stroke ram.

Nabbing Randi's used parts is going to be your best bet. Randi's been pushing 39's around with his assist for ~2 years no problems. He stepped up to 42's recently and the steering is doing fine still (just stepping back to upgrade to full hydro).

The 2" ram will push harder, but react a little slower.

[WREKD]

Sounds easy enough to figure out. If it needs to be limited, I have to pull apart the ram, right?? How hard is that to do??