DirtyComanche Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Looks like this.... Image Not Found (It's only tacked up, yes the metal isn't clean, no that's not a 6" ram) Comments? I have a clearance problem right now, but the angle grinder will fix that and allow me to have full steering travel in both directions... Think that bracket on the pumpkin is going to let me weld it in enough places? It's going to be like 9" of weld... Seeing about 2000lbs in sheer? Somebody tell me it'll be fine or I'm going to add more to it. Gotta make a new bracket for the drag link too. Turned out the tie-rod side of the ram had to be exactly where the old one was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oizarod115 Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 looks like a pretty nice setup... when i first saw it i was like... :nuts: no draglink anymore? where you plaannin on putting it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 I'll put it on top of the tie-rod, right by where it was. If the bracket I welded on cools quickly enough I'll go back out and do it. I braced up the bracket on the tie-rod a bunch, and the otherone too. But, I don't have the right bolts/nuts so I can't finish it for a while... Grr. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twisty Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 if you had a strong enough ram, would you even need a draglink? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Yes. That ram could. But. the steering box, while it is an orbital valve of a sorts, is built so that the pitman arm provides control for the valving in it. If you don't have a drag link, you'll turn the wheel and the pitman arm will go to full lock in that direction and kill all pressure to the ram. With an orbital valve ment for full hydro steering it can be done. I'm not in the mood to buy one. They ain't cheap! Also, if you go full hydro normally a double ended ram is used so the fluid volume to move it either direction is equal. Or you'll have to turn the wheel 5 times to go left and only 3 to go right... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feerocknok Posted January 1, 2007 Share Posted January 1, 2007 Are the stock leaf perches still on? Also, what thickness of square tubing did you use? I'm not sure the amount of stress on a hydro-assist, but I think full-hydro would be bending 3/16. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 1, 2007 Author Share Posted January 1, 2007 Yeah, there's a stock perche still there; I never got around to cutting it off. Maybe I should since the axle is out anyways. That's 3/16. I thought it was 1/4 but didn't measure it until I had cut it... I doubt it'll tear the bracket on the tie-rod, but the one on the pumpkin I'm a little more worried about. I couldn't put the bolt through it very far back in the bracket because of the shape of the ram. I might weld some plate to the top of the pumpkin bracket it make it thicker. The bottom isn't really a problem as it has a tension nut welded to the pumpkin/bracket. I think I'll be just giving it a shot and carry plugs. If it tears off, well, then it wasn't strong enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingpong Posted January 2, 2007 Share Posted January 2, 2007 My only concern with the way you are welding it to the pumpmkin is that you use proper technique and rods when welding to that cast. If done wrong it will cause stress cracks when heating or cooling. Research the welding characteristics. I believe you need to pre heat and Post heat to ensure proper expansion and contraction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 2, 2007 Author Share Posted January 2, 2007 Yeah, I know the deal, I've done it before. And nothing else has ripped off yet :roll: Besides, I've got a lot more ribbing for that bracket. Overkill is better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted January 2, 2007 Share Posted January 2, 2007 other then being ugly IMO i think it will work although 2 things to think about, stock tierods are not very stong, and if you bend it you will need to make another bracket Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhill Posted January 2, 2007 Share Posted January 2, 2007 if the pumpkin is cast STEEL u can weld to it, just let it cool naturally and don't cool it off(air/water) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtyComanche Posted January 2, 2007 Author Share Posted January 2, 2007 other then being ugly IMO i think it will work although 2 things to think about, stock tierods are not very stong, and if you bend it you will need to make another bracket If I bend that tie-rod, I'm making a new one. Unless I can just put this one back in the press again... That hot stamped crap that they claim is steel isn't exactly great. And the whole thing is ugly as hell. Same goes for the drag link. But I didn't feel like dumping the money on a bunch of 3/4" rod ends and tubing that I will have to special order if this works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Posted January 3, 2007 Share Posted January 3, 2007 other then being ugly IMO i think it will work although 2 things to think about, stock tierods are not very stong, and if you bend it you will need to make another bracket If I bend that tie-rod, I'm making a new one. Unless I can just put this one back in the press again... That hot stamped crap that they claim is steel isn't exactly great. And the whole thing is ugly as hell. Same goes for the drag link. But I didn't feel like dumping the money on a bunch of 3/4" rod ends and tubing that I will have to special order if this works. thats cool you could also think about 1-ton chevy TRE's ive been running the set I'm using now for about 2 years, 8 months of that was DD'ing also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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