Inexpensive Hydraulic Steering Option

[Corey-88K5]

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/hydrosteering.html

I've noticed that some of the coolest things you can bolt on to your truck often come from a Agre Store (farm), and I don't know if you guys have noticed at Tractor Supply that they have Small Hydraulic rams. I started thinking about this when we had to replace one on a friends tractor. Why the heck wouldn't this work for hydraulic steering. Well, I may look into it when I get back to NC, but it looks like somebody else is using it, I just dont know if there are any special circumstances that need to be made to the steering box, as well as the pump.

I just figured I'd pass this on to anybody that didn't want to pay an arm and a leg for hydro steering setup.

Corey
88K4 / 94 CTD Ram 2500

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[wayne]

Even better to know if you shell out the $25 to become a member here you even get a discount from them.

See <a target="_blank" href=http://coloradok5.com/gallery/Waynes-Toy>Project Mighty Mouse</a> here.
<font color=blue>Wayne<font color=blue>
<font color=blue>Happy Trails<font color=blue>

 

[mudddog91]

Ive done this mod with some help of a few friends and ill tell you that its very easy and not very time consuming at all.Only problem you may or may not run into is drilling the steering box and welding the fittings on.Ive done alot of welcing but this was the first time ive ever welded cast and it wasnt really very difficult but It did laek on my first attempt but now Its wellded up good and the ram works great!I didnt get my ram from a tractor supply company but if you can find a tractor junkyard or even some salvage yards carry them on forklifts and tractors ,you can find a good ram fairly cheap!If you have any questions feel free to ask!

 

[Corey-88K5]

Muddog,

I don't suppose you can suggest where to drill into the housing for the fittings, also, can't the holes just be tapped and go that route, or do the fittings HAVE to be welded? I've done a lot of welding my self, and I don't really think that welding on that type of metal would be a great idea. But, if properly done (which I think would cook the insides) it should work. That and its not really put under any real stress (side loading)

You can reply to my E-mail if you wish,
[email protected]

Thanks,

Corey

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[Chris Demartini]

<font color=blue>You send your box to West Texas Off Road and they will weld the fittings in for you.

 

[mudddog91]

Well you cant tap the box and screw the fittings in because the amount of material in that area on a stock box is too thin to tap and hold pressure safely.Plus if youve done some stick welding before youll have no problem.You wont cook the insides either because you remove them! I will never pay someone else to do this mod but I will say that it is pretty critical to tap it in the proper location and if you miss weld it it will leak or possibly spray everywhere(huh!huh!).

 

[michaelm]

can you weld aluminum?
you can put one fitting on the removeable end cap and the other on the top cover as long as each fitting is on opposite sides of the piston in the steering box it will work.
the plus is very simple take 2 things off vs. fully ripping the box apart and if you mess up you dont ruin a casting

 

[Corey-88K5]

As far as welding Alum. Yes you can. There are 2 differen't ways, but the best way is TIG (Tungstin Inert Gas) welding. The other is a Alum Spool Gun, (mig welder) The TIG welder is VERY expensive, but there is nothing better.

Corey
88K5

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[BadDog]

Hehe, he knows that aluminum can be welded. I think he was saying, "If YOU can weld aluminum, then you can do this."

Russ

85 K30 CUCV, 350 TBI, TH400, 205, D60/C14, 4.56 Locked
Some day: 4" lift, 44" tires, massive cutting, shorter wb and rear overhang.