Ram Assist

MIG'DHORSE · Jan 9, 2007

I'm considering welding my front diff and using ram assist for steering capability. First off, has anyone run a toyota ram assist setup here? How do you like it?

one of my concerns is the delay in steering i have read about. How severe is it? This rig will be a DD, and if the delay is long enough to keep me from steering out of a hazardous situation, then I may consider not doing this. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks.

-Tyler

crash2 · Jan 9, 2007

I have done a few toys from tapping the box to whole deal and the delay isn't bad at all--you get used to it...

But I don't suggest welding the front because even with assist your going to fight turning...

cisco · Jan 9, 2007

With a welded front, you are also going to put a load of stress on the axles and birfs all the time in 4wd. I had the ram assist on my 4 runner and it definitely made steering on the street slower. It was a trade off. No more last minute whipping the rig around a corner, but offroad it helped alot, no more forward and back trying to get the wheels turned. When I first got it, I flipped a bitch at the light on the highway through monroe and almost drove up on the sidewalk in front of Mi Tierra. Had to stomp the brakes, stop and wait for the wheels to turn before proceeding. Like Crash said you get used to it and plan your turns a little earlier so its still streetable.

84Toyota4x4 · Jan 9, 2007

Hey Crash, when drilling that top hole in the box, does it go all the way into the passage? Or are you trying to stop short of going all the way into it? I saw a picture you took a while back of one you did, and it was hard to tell...

Ive heard over and over again you need to be careful drilling it because if you go too far its ruined and so on. Im just having a hard time understanding why its so hard.

My thinking is one of two things. Either you go all the way into the vein, so once you feel the drill drop into it, you stop drilling. This makes the passage a full "T". OR, you are only trying to barely drill into it, meaning you drill and check until you can see into the passage, but not drill all the way into it. This would make a "T", but with the drilled direction restricted.

Does that question make sense at all? I guess I just dont see why its hard to drill a damn hole...

~T.J.

EDIT: Are you guys also drilling out the restrictor washer thingy on the pump to help compensate?

crash2 · Jan 9, 2007

The tpo hole is a controlled depth--your trying to tap into the channel--too deep anb bye bye box

84Toyota4x4 · Jan 9, 2007

Ok, got it. That pic does make sense now then.

I was reading through Gibbys build you linked to on Pirate (badass BTW!), and saw this picture, which is why I was confused. I had always thought that you just wanted to hit the channel, not barely get into it. Makes sense now!

~T.J.

MIG'DHORSE · Jan 9, 2007

thanks guys. yea i'm not really sure about what i'm going to do... but that recently popped up as an idea. I figured that what I could spend on an ARB (i wish) I could just spend on the longfields, and ram assist with a welded front end and have it all taken care of actually cheaper... and perhaps upgrade later. I'll figure it out when the time comes. (hopefully soon!)

-Tyler

crash2 · Jan 9, 2007

Do all the above but get an aussie for the front-not a ton more $$ but will give you good results..

Grommit327 · Jan 9, 2007

I know your on a budget but the other thing that helps out the ram speed is getting the proper flow to it. Some have had luck with modding the yota pump and some haven't...but the PSC pump puts out really good flow and I really haven't noticed a difference on the street with mine from before I had the ram...if anything it's a little more fast/twitchy

tj40ounce · Jan 9, 2007

Trail gear came out with a nice kit for toys... $200 and free shipping. You can still source it for a little less money if you buy the parts yourself, but their system is proven.

http://www.trail-gear.com/hydro-steering.html

I too need to decide if I want to try and go hydro assist w/welded front (already welded), marfields and 38.5 SX's or aussie locker. 5th knuckle stud will be a must either way....

rockabilly · Jan 9, 2007

i run a welded front with longs and hydroassist, it works.

tj40ounce · Jan 9, 2007

rockabilly said:
i run a welded front with longs and hydroassist, it works.

How are your streering arms holding up? I thought seahawn? had a detroit or an ARB up front??

Pook · Jan 9, 2007

We did the same thing to my buddy's toy last year prior to a Hammers and Moab trip. Welded the front and added hyrdo assit, did great no real issues steering. We did do the ARP steering arm upgrade and he's running 30spline longs,hub gears and ARP hub studs.

If you think about it, its not much different than when I have my electric locker on or someone else has there arb locked up. Up here in the mud and dirt covered rocks its even less of an issue.

Some days I think I should of saved the money I spent on the elocker an djust welded a third up.

MIG'DHORSE · Jan 9, 2007

tj40ounce said:
Trail gear came out with a nice kit for toys... $200 and free shipping. You can still source it for a little less money if you buy the parts yourself, but their system is proven.

http://www.trail-gear.com/hydro-steering.html

I too need to decide if I want to try and go hydro assist w/welded front (already welded), marfields and 38.5 SX's or aussie locker. 5th knuckle stud will be a must either way....

what about the ARP knuckle studs? is that enough or do you have to rework the knuckle/arm for 5 studs either way? i also read about the cheap a$$ way of welding the arm to the knuckle. i don't know anything about it though, or if it really works. hmmm... an aussie locker doesn't sound bad to me. yea that would probably be better than welding or a spool. thanks again for the input.

-Tyler

MIG'DHORSE · Jan 9, 2007

Pook said:
We did do the ARP steering arm upgrade

and by that are you referring to the hardened knuckle studs, or does ARP offer more? thanks for your input.

Pook · Jan 9, 2007

MIG'DHORSE said:
and by that are you referring to the hardened knuckle studs, or does ARP offer more? thanks for your input.

I meant to say ARP steering studs.

MIG'DHORSE · Jan 9, 2007

Pook said:
I meant to say ARP steering studs.

gotcha. yea i think that this will be the way i might go for now. how difficult is actually tapping the box? i've never tapped anything before, haha.

is this something that only a baller can do?

tj40ounce · Jan 10, 2007

MIG'DHORSE said:
what about the ARP knuckle studs? is that enough or do you have to rework the knuckle/arm for 5 studs either way? i also read about the cheap a$$ way of welding the arm to the knuckle. i don't know anything about it though, or if it really works. hmmm... an aussie locker doesn't sound bad to me. yea that would probably be better than welding or a spool. thanks again for the input.

-Tyler

I wouldn't weld the arm directly to the knuckle... Bobby Long used to sell a diy kit to weld on some material onto the arm for a 5th stud. front range offroad is your source for ARP steering studs...

tj40ounce · Jan 10, 2007

Check out pirate's toyota faq. Plenty of good tech reading in there... Get your check book out while your at it, cuz you will want to spend mo' money!