So are you saying that ram is too heavy duty??? Should he use one that will break before the rest of the steering components??? If something is gonna break, its gonna break.
Looks good man, keep up the good work.
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.
Heaph's Build Thread - Built not Bought
- Thread starter chiefheaphy
- Start date
So are you saying that ram is too heavy duty??? Should he use one that will break before the rest of the steering components??? If something is gonna break, its gonna break.
Looks good man, keep up the good work.
54inches
1/2 ton status
Did someone mention in this thread a caution on adapting a ram in your steering? I certainly can't state specifics but it's along the lines of being sure the ram doesn't end up wrecking (bending, twisting, or tearing apart) your front end because the steering is too stout
Are you serious?
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
I didnt have any 1"scrap to practice my stick welding on so I just went for it. Didn't come out all that bad.
I had taken today off about a month ago. It ended up being almost 80 around here. I got the rear axle in.
Some flex shots, not all that bad for what I want it to do:
Front:
Rear:
This is the rear when the front is flexed:
This is the rear when the rear is flexed:
This is the front when the front and rear were flexed:
I had taken today off about a month ago. It ended up being almost 80 around here. I got the rear axle in.
Some flex shots, not all that bad for what I want it to do:
Front:
Rear:
This is the rear when the front is flexed:
This is the rear when the rear is flexed:
This is the front when the front and rear were flexed:
NEK5
3/4 ton status
Wow, those 4x4s stacked up look kind of scary
Otherwise, looks sweet!
Otherwise, looks sweet!
This is the rear when the front is flexed:
This is the rear when the rear is flexed:
This is the front when the front and rear were flexed:
Well now you can see that the springs are limited by the length of your shackles at least in the back.
The spring can't droop anymore because it's pulling on the shackle to make it longer, and it can't flex anymore because it bottomed out going back all the way.
You might get some more flex by making them longer, I wouln't bother moving the hangers yet looks like they will work.
The front seems to flex a lot less though
So freakin' top heavy.... I know its been discussed but what are your thoughts on taking out some of the leaf springs from the pack and fixing those shackles... longer shackles relocated to give you some room to work with?
You have more then enough clearance for those tires...
You have more then enough clearance for those tires...
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
Something like that will probably happen. I was thinking about the possibility of getting a 2" shackle flip and a longer shackle. For now I think I'll move on to some other things. Like turning the front clip into a one piece tilt, finishing the floors and starting the motor.
Sounds like a good plan...
BKinzey
1/2 ton status
My question has nothing to do with clearance. It's about mathematics and what considerations have been done.
Look at a hydraulic engine lift. Mine is a 2 ton. With the arm fully extended it's rated at 500 pounds. The jack on it has an 8 ton rating. I can't tell you how it was all figured out but somebody sat down and did. Take any stock power assist steering. Parallel park with the tires against the curb and turn the wheel. You'll hear the pump load up but you don't blow seals, bend & break parts, etc. because somebody did the math.
There is a full hydro thread in this forum that's been active lately. If you read it several people have broken parts for various reasons but a lot of hit & miss engineering. What guidelines are being used with this set-up?
So hopefully the question is clear enough
Look at a hydraulic engine lift. Mine is a 2 ton. With the arm fully extended it's rated at 500 pounds. The jack on it has an 8 ton rating. I can't tell you how it was all figured out but somebody sat down and did. Take any stock power assist steering. Parallel park with the tires against the curb and turn the wheel. You'll hear the pump load up but you don't blow seals, bend & break parts, etc. because somebody did the math.
There is a full hydro thread in this forum that's been active lately. If you read it several people have broken parts for various reasons but a lot of hit & miss engineering. What guidelines are being used with this set-up?
So hopefully the question is clear enough
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
My question has nothing to do with clearance. It's about mathematics and what considerations have been done.
Look at a hydraulic engine lift. Mine is a 2 ton. With the arm fully extended it's rated at 500 pounds. The jack on it has an 8 ton rating. I can't tell you how it was all figured out but somebody sat down and did. Take any stock power assist steering. Parallel park with the tires against the curb and turn the wheel. You'll hear the pump load up but you don't blow seals, bend & break parts, etc. because somebody did the math.
There is a full hydro thread in this forum that's been active lately. If you read it several people have broken parts for various reasons but a lot of hit & miss engineering. What guidelines are being used with this set-up?
So hopefully the question is clear enough
I def. appreciate your input. I basically used the same setup M-1028 used on his build. As far as I know he has not had any problems. I guess maybe the brackets could snap off, or the knuckles could crack or something. I have no prior experience with hydraulics. I still have to figure out how to actually setup the steering there may be an overload type of reservoir or something. I just dont know, but you do bring up a good point.
You know what might work? Get a set of stock rear spring hangers (the ones designed for a tension-style shackle), then mount them UPSIDE-DOWN just forward of where your current shackleflip is.... this will give you a mount that is open from the bottom (like a shackleflip is) but raises the mounting point substantially. That will allow you the clearance to run a much longer shackle to explore what your springs are REALLY capable of. I'll admit I'm surprised that they flexed as much as they did, and your shackle is stopping them from flexing more....
Does that description make sense? It would be an almost free way to do some testing and maybe get more flex.
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
That sounds like an interesting experiment.
To bad my stockers hit the scrap pile already! Anybody just install a set of shackle flips and have thier stocks hangers lyin around?
To bad my stockers hit the scrap pile already! Anybody just install a set of shackle flips and have thier stocks hangers lyin around?
LMC sells the stock hangers.
dinkster
Registered Member
Looking great. You must be made of $. 
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
Looking great. You must be made of $.
I have a great job, no kids and currently pay almost no rent crashing at my old mans. Plus, I've wanted to build this truck for about 20 years. A little debt for personal goal fullfillment is a good trade. If I was made of money I'd be done by now. Thanks for the compliment though and send your donations to...
chiefheaphy
1/2 ton status
I'll trade you my stock hangers for your shackle flip.
Thats about as good an idea as that WAAF party we went to.
Chrisblazzer89
1/2 ton status
PM sent
3/4 Ton Blazer
1/2 ton status
I am a bit confused why you went with leaf springs for a lift this big? To actually get a shackle that can compensate for how much eye to eye length change you are gonna have through suspension travel is going to have to be insane as far as length goes. I am a bit suprised you were even able to get someone to make those springs for you. Having a shackle hit it's limit on that thing and break could be catostrophic! I am sure something will be figured out. Either way, that thing is going to be an absolute blast to drive when it is all done! Seeing that problem with your shackles has got me thinking of solutions though.
