Hydro Assit Mount on Diff cover w/low lift & Highsteer?

[Burt4x4]

Hey Guys!
I need some ideas on what to make for a mount on my D60 diff cover for my ram.
My issue is I have only a 4" lift up front & I am using WFO Highsteer tie-rod. The tie-rod is infront of and above the D60.
Here is DIY4X's cover:

He has the mount on the side, I need one on top of the cover. I searched and searched for a pic of someone mounting the ram up there but I have not found any yet?
I do have Kert's Razorback diff cover so no problem welding to it, I just need some ideas on how to fab it up. The mount will need to reach the tie-rod about 4" above the D60 cover and 2" forward.
Basically inbetween the two ribs at the top left in the pic above.
Thoughts, ideas, comments>>>all is needed!
Thanks!
Burt

 

[Leper]

Most people I see running highsteer and a ram, have it mounted to the spring plate. I went back to regular steer because I didn't want to do that. I have seen some build a stand off of the axle housing, but I didn;t have enough lift for that. I run the razor backs also, but I dont know it they would hold up to the leverage created by doing a top mount. IIWY I would be calling Kert.

 

[Burt4x4]

Ya, I don't have the room to put the ram above the axel (behind the tie-rod), the only place it will fit is in front of the tie-rod so the diff cover is my only choice as far as I can tell.
The Razorback is perrty tuff so I think it will be fine, you are right in telling me to talk to Kert. I plan on doing that once I come up with some kind of design for what I want to weld to the cover then run it by him to get his opinion.
My crossover is very unique cuz I have only 4" lift and a BBC oil pan, so WFO put the tie-rod in front of the axel and the draglink connects to the TRE on the tie-rod, like you see on Fords and big Jeeps. My pics are not available to share as the NCOR site is down...

My last trip to Pismo I kinda jumped my truck and the tie-rod smacked the oilpan so I truly have no room to spare above the D60..I would hate to lift my truck as it barley squezzes into my garage as is
This summer @ BlazerFest I plan on spending some time on the RTI ramp to see if trail flex will hit the oilpan or if jumping off the top of a dune was truly the cause
Burt w/FI454 = no jumping at Pismo

 

[vtblazer]

Been awhile now, so what did ya end up doing Burt?

 

[Burt4x4]

Got this far
My life is so crazy busy I haven't had any time to fab up a mount. I am also waiting for my buddy to make me a clamp for the tierod so..
I might go for a day trip wheeling on Saturday, so I might take a few steps backwards and slap it back togeather and do the ram instal another time...
If you look closely at the bottom of my oil pan towards the front you can see a scuff mark from my tierod. I got the frontend off the ground a little too high at Pismo so when the D60 compressed my springs SMAK!

 

[vtblazer]

You'll love the hydro assist, hope you figure out a good install.

I wanna do Pismo someday, let ya know when I come out.

 

[RockinChevy]

Why not put tabs in between the fins? You can do this vertically but you'll have to make one tab longer than the other to compensate for the angle on the razorback. I think tabs welded to the fins and all the way down to the cover is the strongest point.

Kinda like this but in between the fins... Just another simple insight.

 

[muddermilitia]

Couldn't you do something like this:

 

[Burt4x4]

Thanks!
Well the problem with building a mount off the axel tube may be the fact my Tie-rod is about 3.5" to 4" in front of the axel tube. So the ram wouldn't line up directly under the tierod unless I build out & up..seamed like alot of fabin...
The tabs welded to the razorback is what I plan to do, something like the red one above..still open to change if a better solution can be had...
thanks for the ideas! Keep um comming

 

[Burt4x4]

See the distance from the tube, I don't know how straight the ram has to be before it creates negative force on the steering components??
I see some rams that are not mounted perfectly straight..??

 

[Burt4x4]

See how it kinda looks like it would want to push up on the tierod? or am I wacked?
I realy don't know how off you can be untill it causes issues??

 

[RockinChevy]

You can do as in my previous post, still mount tabs vertical but angle the tabs towards the tie rod ram mount so there's no binding when steering lock to lock. I have zero photchop skills so I can't draw up what I'm trying to explain.

 

[Burt4x4]

Finnaly got a pic:

Welded tabs to the DIY4X diff and my buddy Jim made me the clamp
PSC stuff works great! Zero leaks

 

[RockinChevy]

Wow, looks awesome! Now I want to do it on mine when I buy the razorback. I like the clamp too. Do the tabs on the clamp hit your springs at full stop?

 

[Burt4x4]

I used the weld on tabs PSC provided, just had to shorten them a bit.

The clamp is awesome & yes the tabs clear, I did need to shorten them up but there is about 1/4" clearence. No evedence of rubbage after the test run @ HollisterHills
Easy steering and no more belt slippage/sqwweeeel

 

[MNorby]

looks good. might build a little skid plat type deal for it though. Granted mine is lower than that since I'm not going to run hi-steer but its directly behind the tierod so it gets some protection. I want to build just a little hoop under mine still though.

 

[Burt4x4]

I was trying to think of a way to get a skid or rock bar up under there. The diff cover does a good job for that end but the other could get caught up on a rock that is ^ like that...gotta remember that when I'm pickin my line
Post up some ideas