Black Betty (kinda sorta build thread)

money_pit_yj · Oct 28, 2015

I got an orbital, hoses and double ended ram off a forklift for free. Motor locked up in the lift and it was getting scrapped and a friend got all that for me. Anybody ever used a forklift set up? Any advice?

wizzo · Oct 28, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

ask ridgetopauto on here. Josh used one for a while. Recently he swapped to a PSC setup. I think he likes it a lot more. what I remember the most about the fork lift set up josh had, is he had to turn it like a million times to get it from lock to lock. Fork lift axles are set up differently and get from lock to lock a lot faster.

1tonrenegade · Oct 28, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

I'm using an orbital off a forklift works great but most of the cylinders are 6" stroke

cumminsontherocks · Oct 28, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

I run a orbital off a fork lift I bought in the hills of harlan a few Yeats ago. Works great. Just depends on the size of the valve and cylinder your using. Pics?

money_pit_yj · Oct 29, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

cumminsontherocks said:
I run a orbital off a fork lift I bought in the hills of harlan a few Yeats ago. Works great. Just depends on the size of the valve and cylinder your using. Pics?

I haven't gotten it yet. They scrapped a few of them so he is going to get me the biggest one. If he can get them all Im going to have spares

Wickedyota97 · Nov 8, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

I too bought an orbital from a forklift, but not having the best of luck with it. I think mines in the plumbing so if anyones up for giving me advice I'm all ears

money_pit_yj · Nov 9, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

I got the orbital and started researching the specs based on part number. I can't find any info on it. I can get real close, just can not find exact numbers. Stay tuned

LightBnDr · Nov 9, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

You ever had an orbital apart?

I have seen threads like these a bunch and I have tried to find info like you are doing. Then I got to see one apart and realized why there's nothing.

Frickin rocket science!!! No such thing as rebuilding one at home. Hopefully you find what you need man. I'm interested how your build works out

money_pit_yj · Nov 9, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

70 CC, Open Center, non load bearing and my buddy left the column on it. Total cost= 1 Sausage and biscuit. Im going to try and do this as a budget build, mainly cause Im broke. Will keep posted as I make progress. Check back monthly :-\

JToyota2 · Nov 9, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

I've got 2 orbitals off of a forklift and can't find anything on them either. What is the part number on yours?

money_pit_yj · Nov 10, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

Trying to find out the cylinder stroke I need for a DANA 60.

Hard way: Mark line on tie rod at full left and then turn wheels and mark line (marker in same position) at full right and measure that to get how much travel there is, then I have my needed stroke right?

Easy way: What size ram (single ended) do I need for a DANA 60?

JToyota2 said:
I've got 2 orbitals off of a forklift and can't find anything on them either. What is the part number on yours?

JToyota2 · Nov 10, 2015

Re: Forklift steering

Both of mine are orbitrol sumitomo eaton. They look almost identical except one is a little longer. The part numbers are 211-1122-001 and 211-1089-001. I know there's so many out there it's probably a slim chance but if anyone knows anything about them I'd sure appreciate the help.

money_pit_yj · Jan 15, 2016

I am fixing to start assembling the hydro steering and decided I would kinda do a build thread cause there are a few other things I want to do and did not feel the need to start a new thread. I work slow so it will hopefully be done by hardline ride. I appreciate constructive criticism, and don't care if you bust my chops, just offer a useful tip as well! As it sits now Vortec 454/205/350, 60/14 Bolt, Leafs front and rear. Future upgrades (in order or priority). 1. Hydro Steering (current setup is stock jeep setup which wasn't built to turn 42s on DRW hubs). 2. I want to have some cage work done to clean it up a little and strengthen it, some sort of rock sliders so my 5'3" wife can have a step, 3. 4 link (when I get limited by my suspension) And of course upgrading as I break stuff and maybe finish painting the cage.

money_pit_yj · Feb 13, 2016

I'm getting ready to mount the orbital. I bought a bracket from BTF cause their fab skills are better than mine. It will be near the original steering box because that's the only place it will fit. How are folkses attaching OEM shaft to orbital? Is there any need to run a column?

rpf500 · Feb 13, 2016

I ended up adding a column to mine. PO had the shaft directly to orbital and at full flex I'd loose all steering as the shaft separated from the valve. Been working like this flawlessly for over a year now.

money_pit_yj · Feb 21, 2016

Re: Black Betty (kinda sorta build thread) need help

Any reason I can't flip this around? The way it sits now will be hard to maneuver ram around leafs. Not much room. If I flip this and run in front of axle it would buy me a few inches.

Eddyj · Mar 12, 2016

Something to think about. I always like my ram to max out before it hits the stops on the knuckles. I don't want the ram pushing on the tie rod and knuckles with them up against the stops. You can limit the stroke on your ram by sleaving the ram rod either externally or internally. When I did my 60 used a 10 ram limited to about 9.25 which was about 1/8 before the stops hit on knuckles. However the length of your steering arms will be the determining factor on the exact amount of stroke you need and those very between differnt manufactures. So there is not really a exact answer.

I can't tell from your pic but ideally you want your tie for in front of axle. That way you have correct Ackerman. ( don't get Patooyee started on this! :****: )