OK I know that the addition of a ram will give more power for turning larger tires. Is there any other benifit to adding it to a standard system ? Does it make life easier for the box and pump ? will it keep the fluid cooler ? Will it speed up or slow down the steering ? What about road feel. Will it make it better or worse ? I have the ram and the box is tapped for it I just dont know if its worth the work to install for what benifit:eeek: Rig is my jeep dana 44 front axle with high steer, detroit locker and running 35" tires. Its a saginaw box with a ford stle pump (coffie can)Thanks in advance
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Help Support Hardline Crawlers :
power assit ram
- Thread starter pokey
- Start date
Binder
Well-Known Member
Jim in my experience the addition of a ram will make the steering feel "lighter". My first impression of the feel is simillar to a overloaded pickup truck where the front end is real light. You have a mechanical link so the steering ratio will be the same HOWEVER depending on the system there may be added resistance when trying to turn the wheel fast. If the pump can't keep up with the demands of both standard power steering and the added ram then once you turn faster than the pump can provide you loose the power assist.
Heat is about the same.
Heat is about the same.
WHITE TRASH1
fruit stripe
The feel and speed of the steering totaly depends on the size of the ram and pressure put to it. If you have a small ram and high pressure you probably won't notice the ram as much and it'll feel light as binder stated. If you have a low pressure but a large ram you will feel the ram slowing your steering input down a bit.
Optimum is a decent pump and a 1 1/2-1 3/4" ram with a 3/4" rod. That will give you a nice feel and plenty of power for turning when you want.
Optimum is a decent pump and a 1 1/2-1 3/4" ram with a 3/4" rod. That will give you a nice feel and plenty of power for turning when you want.
CHOP SHOP
Well-Known Member
power assist is not needed when running 9.00X15s:kissmyass:
However glasses may be required to be able to read. Either that or you have a bigger problem the that. Either offer up some decent advice Brad or stay out of the tech section. :awesomework:
Let us know how it works out Pokey, I will probably be going that route too.
If you do notice steering lag when turning the wheel quick you should be able to increase the pressure out of the pump. I know on the saginaw pumps you can remove some shims by the piston to help increase pressure. Not sure on the Ford pump. Link Here
If you do notice steering lag when turning the wheel quick you should be able to increase the pressure out of the pump. I know on the saginaw pumps you can remove some shims by the piston to help increase pressure. Not sure on the Ford pump. Link Here
Binder
Well-Known Member
Well in that case, you can also drill the the little hole out about a 1/16".
I've heard mixed reviews on the redneck mod...
If you drill the slightest bit to much it'll burn out the pump...
And even if you do it right, it's not much more volume...
I've never done it, and now I don't run a steering box...
I have heard that too. It will starve itself. You can do Poohbair's mod and add some radiator hose to the neck for more volume. You can't get more redneck than that.
We have done both mods on the race rigs. Drilling out the valve on the saginaw pump will increase flow and adding the hose to the filler can give you a cup or so more fluid thus cooler fluid.
I read that some guys are using a remote oil filter to add more fluid capacity and filter the power steering fluid at the same time...
Something like this...
AMJ
Well-Known Member
I read that some guys are using a remote oil filter to add more fluid capacity and filter the power steering fluid at the same time...
Something like this...
I think those type of filters restrict the system more than help. If you want to added capacity just get a bigger res.
Jim- just make sure you get a ram that matchs your pumps flow and volume or you will not be happy.
