6" ram or 8" ram on 10 bolt?

[pblaze725]

Regarding hydraulic assist steering rams it has been discussed in a few threads that the 10 bolt gets a 6" steering ram.

It has also been said the only yotas and heeps use the 6" ram on 10 bolt/ d44's.

Some folks on here say the GM 10 bolt needs an 8" ram.

Personally I figured the hydraulic ram would need to be the same size as the OE steering stabilizer that was removed.
Mine was a 6" ram. It was a 6 lug, 28 spline 10 bolt.

Here's what I think...

There are also 10 bolts that have the 30 spline shafts and 8 lugs that go on K2500's. I think that might be one with a 8" steering stroke.

So some 10 bolts are 6" stroke and some are 8"?

I'm not the expert.

Can anyone clarify on this subject?

 

[big dan]

Ive always been told 10 bolts and dana 44s need 6" stroke.

Currently my 10 bolt has a 6" ram and its too short. At some point Im gonna take it off and measure for what I need to get it to turn to the steering stops and get a ram that fits.

 

[4X4HIGH]

You need an 8" stroke if doing hydro assist in the stock location but a 6" stroke if going hi-steer.

 

[pblaze725]

interesting...

 

[pblaze725]

You need an 8" stroke if doing hydro assist in the stock location but a 6" stroke if going hi-steer.

...Then why would it come with a 6" steering stabilizer?


Here are some measurements I just jotted down.

With the ram off I dropped a plumb bob centered between the leaf springs.
Measuring in the stock position:

3.5" of travel from center to lock. 7" total stroke.

That means with a 6" ram you will be an inch short,

With the 8" ram, you will be an inch long.



Still interesting.
This must be why some folks get the 8" ram and use steering stops.

 

[4X4HIGH]

...Then why would it come with a 6" steering stabilizer?


Here are some measurements I just jotted down.

With the ram off I dropped a plumb bob centered between the leaf springs.
Measuring in the stock position:

3.5" of travel from center to lock. 7" total stroke.

That means with a 6" ram you will be an inch short,

With the 8" ram, you will be an inch long.



Still interesting.
This must be why some folks get the 8" ram and use steering stops.

That is exactly why you want an 8" stroke if staying stock location tie rod. If you were to shorten your steering movement by 1" you would have hardly any turning radius.

 

[pblaze725]

I learned that the hard way.
Remember the weak link is going to be the steering arm on the 10 bolt. If you use the 6" ram you will not be put additional force on them.You will be less likely to break them but your turning radius will be wider.

If you go with the 8" ram you would be putting 1/2" extra turning force on the steering arms and they would be more likely to break but you will have a tighter turning radius.

I guess you could go either way. I have the 6" on mine and it works but I see how I could the the 8".










Just get a Dana 60.

 

[82355]

Is there no 7" ram? How about using a 1" cylinder stop on an 8" ram?

Martin

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

Is there no 7" ram? How about using a 1" cylinder stop on an 8" ram?

Martin

That would work.

Separately.... I have an 8" steering stabilizer on my 8.5" 10b. (Stock location)

 

[6.2Blazer]

Here's what I think...

There are also 10 bolts that have the 30 spline shafts and 8 lugs that go on K2500's. I think that might be one with a 8" steering stroke.

Regarding the comment above, the 30-spline shafts or 8 lugs have absolutely nothing to do with the steering.

 

[TheBeast_88K5]

With 8.5" 10b's, most are 28 spl., some are 30 spl.
That has nothing to do with any other portion of the axle.

And fwiw, both were used in 2500 trucks/Burbans.
Same wms.

 

[pblaze725]

With 8.5" 10b's, most are 28 spl., some are 30 spl.
That has nothing to do with any other portion of the axle.

And fwiw, both were used in 2500 trucks/Burbans.
Same wms.

The reason I mentioned that is from my observations at the JY. The 30 spline 10 bolts come with 8 lug set up.

The only thing I didn't measure was if the 8 lug steering arm may be shaped different allowing it to have a longer steering stroke.

You converted to 8 lug on a 10 bolt. What is your steering stroke?

Whip it out & measure it...

 

[pblaze725]

Pardon me I may have had a beer or 2.. I saw some other brothers replied and wanted to acknowledge.

Is there no 7" ram? How about using a 1" cylinder stop on an 8" ram?

Martin

I think that's why setting the steering stops on an 8" ram is critical.

That would work.

Separately.... I have an 8" steering stabilizer on my 8.5" 10b. (Stock location)

Interesting... and it used to be a 6 lug right?

Regarding the comment above, the 30-spline shafts or 8 lugs have absolutely nothing to do with the steering.

Thank you sir.

 

[big dan]

I think that's why setting the steering stops on an 8" ram is critical.
.

If you are using a hydraulic ram for steering whether it be hydro assist or full hydro the ram should be the steering stop.

If your ram has travel past were the steering stop is you will break knuckles.

 

[82355]

That's why I said to use a cylinder stop to limit the ram's travel.

Martin

 

[supermotard750]

just a little chime in here, I'm running a 44 Hi steer with an 8" ram and my ram bottoms out 1/16" before my stops because the all stock steering is limited by the travel in the steering box, the way hydro works is by complimenting the stock box if i crank the wheel i can make the ram push in to the knuckle stop but that why the stop is there you can't got further then the steering box will let you in an assist setup

 

[pblaze725]

You need an 8" stroke if doing hydro assist in the stock location but a 6" stroke if going hi-steer.

just a little chime in here, I'm running a 44 Hi steer with an 8" ram and my ram bottoms out 1/16" before my stops because the all stock steering is limited by the travel in the steering box, the way hydro works is by complimenting the stock box if i crank the wheel i can make the ram push in to the knuckle stop but that why the stop is there you can't got further then the steering box will let you in an assist setup

I know your setup works well Superbro.

...So 1/2 of the first quote is incorrect?

 

[supermotard750]

I'm not saying everyones setup is the same but in my configuration the 8" works well.

 

[pblaze725]

I am starting to think that those who say to use a 6" ram on a GM 10 bolt are distributing bad information.

 

[supermotard750]

sorry you had to take the long way around buddy