Ram assist power steering

[want33s]

I have been offered a power steer ram and hoses off an XY falcon. In a falcon one end of this ram bolts to body under the drivers feet and the other end pushes/pulls the drag link. I can make brackets etc to mount ram on front diff but want to know if anyone else has tried it and if it will/won't work. I know Jimny will bolt in but its at least six times the price of the falcon setup! Heres a pic....
http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/a6/e3/15c8_1.JPG

[ofr57]

i would belive a ram setup would be stronger too than a jimny powersteering setup

[Gwagensteve]

I assume this is to be used with a manual steer box?

It's interesting, and there will be some $$$ in hosing it up and sorting out a pump, but it might work quite well.

BUT - it is 35 year old gear, so I imagine it might not be the most reliable, (I don't think it had the best reputation for reliability stock) and mounting the ram on the front diff will make it quite vulnerable.

You could also try running the ram in the position of the stock steering damper - this will make the hoses shorter and the whole thing better protected.

The amount of fab involved will be no less than running a vitara PS box and they are a known quantity. They are also pretty cheap, and the vit pump will bolt to a 1.3. if the fabrication around the rail is done well, it looks quite stock too.

Just my 2C
Steve.

[Bazooka]

I am in the throws of doing the same thing using the Ford ram as a hydro assist. This sort of thing is really only used as an assist to a system that already has conventional power steering.
I already have Vitara power steering so will plumb this ram into the system for extra help. As Gwagensteve also suggested I am planning on running it in place of the stock steering dampener.
Here is a good link that explains it all.

http://xfaktor.net:8082/Projects/Suzuki ... ssist.html

[want33s]

This sort of thing is really only used as an assist to a system that already has conventional power steering.

I beg to differ, This ram can & does turn the wheels on a ZD Fairlane with fat tyres and a 351 and a 16:1 manual box. It is designed to work with a manual box.

[want33s]

I assume this is to be used with a manual steer box?

It's interesting, and there will be some $$$ in hosing it up and sorting out a pump, but it might work quite well.

BUT - it is 35 year old gear, so I imagine it might not be the most reliable, (I don't think it had the best reputation for reliability stock) and mounting the ram on the front diff will make it quite vulnerable.

You could also try running the ram in the position of the stock steering damper - this will make the hoses shorter and the whole thing better protected.

The amount of fab involved will be no less than running a vitara PS box and they are a known quantity. They are also pretty cheap, and the vit pump will bolt to a 1.3. if the fabrication around the rail is done well, it looks quite stock too.

Just my 2C
Steve.

Yes manual box..
I haven't always been into Suzi's, my shed has two 351 V8 Falcons and enough XA XB parts to build another couple. I have so many Ford power steer pumps and hoses etc it's not funny.
I didn't think of running the ram instead of the damper, that's brilliant. Much more protected.
I would much prefer Jimny setup but funds and availability are against me.

[Bazooka]

This sort of thing is really only used as an assist to a system that already has conventional power steering.

I beg to differ, This ram can & does turn the wheels on a ZD Fairlane with fat tyres and a 351 and a 16:1 manual box. It is designed to work with a manual box.

Yes it does work as a stand alone system in the Ford but I was refering to it as being used in the 4WD world as an assist and not as a primary setup thats all. Sorry if I wasnt clear.

Here is a picture of my setup as described.

[want33s]

cool.