selectable hydro assist/ram steering options

[darnkid]

I just "finished" restoring my 82 CJ7 and now I wanna start making it better for wheeling. It's a daily driver, and I wanna lincoln lock the front diff. I've got manual locking hubs and a twin stick, so I'm not worried about being able to steer when I'm not off roading. I would think that it makes it hard to steer when I'm on trails and stuff, so I'm kinda looking into a selectable hydro assist steering option. I don't want a full time hydro assist because it's still a dd. does such a thing even exist? if so, can somebody please point me in the direction of that setup?

 

[Purple77CJ7]

I don't know about a selectable assist, I installed an AGR steering assist cylinder on my 77, and it's run off of the steering gearbox, so it is full time assist. Kit has new pump, gearbox tapped for assist cylinder. PSC also makes an assist setup.

 

[LongHorn]

I just "finished" restoring my 82 CJ7 and now I wanna start making it better for wheeling. It's a daily driver, and I wanna lincoln lock the front diff. I've got manual locking hubs and a twin stick, so I'm not worried about being able to steer when I'm not off roading. I would think that it makes it hard to steer when I'm on trails and stuff, so I'm kinda looking into a selectable hydro assist steering option. I don't want a full time hydro assist because it's still a dd. does such a thing even exist? if so, can somebody please point me in the direction of that setup?

IMHO I would advise against the Lincoln Locked front diff, if you really want a front locker a better option would be a "Detroit Locker".

No one I've ever heard of makes any kind of selectable Hydro steering setup.
IMHO it would be unworkable.

 

[darnkid]

Isn't a detroit locker just a stronger lincoln locker?

 

[LongHorn]

Isn't a detroit locker just a stronger lincoln locker?

Negative my young friend, a "Lincoln Locker" means you welded your spider gears to make basically a "Mini-Spool" setup.
It looks like this:

A "Detroit Locker" is a complete locking differential carrier.
Like this:
[/ATTACH][/ATTACH]

 

[darnkid]

yeah, I know that, but the detroit isn't selectable right? it's just full time locked like a lincoln locker?

 

[LongHorn]

yeah, I know that, but the detroit isn't selectable right? it's just full time locked like a lincoln locker?

No it's not selectable, it's automatic. It will unlock for turns with the power off.
a Lincoln Locker is like you welded the axle shafts together.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

If you wanted a hydraulic set up that you could turn on and off you would need a set of male and female couplers kinda like air line couplers but for hydraulic lines. Install them on the line that run to the ram so you can disconnect the ram and hook the line together to keep the fluid circulating.

Then your ram would need to be set up with "hitch pins" to make it removable. I'm sure it could be done but would be a little bit of a pain in the arse to do. Why can't you just run the assist all the time? Local law?

 

[darnkid]

no laws, but it's my dd, and I hear that if you have assist, it's really sketchy above about 40 because it takes a while to actually work

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Hmmm I would make a new post to ask about street driving with assist.. I'm pretty sure it's not that bad.. How fast you plan on turning this thing over 40mph.. Would probably pu you on your roof if your rig is big enough to need hydro assist. I've never hear an issue with an assist set up taking long time to turn. The one on the waggy I bought seemed to work fast.. Keeps up with te stock steerig set up.

The way I described is the only way that I can think of making it removable. I plan on tuning my assist on te street.

Also if you are just wanting it because you want a locker in the fron and are worried about making the steering harder I would use the money from the hydraulic system and an ARB or other selectable locker. The welded diff and hydra steering will put a ton of pressure and force on a lot of weak parts. If you have a 30 front you will start snapping axle shafts and blowing out hubs.

Welded duffs and hydro assist are reall mean for hard core rigs that see little road time.. If you want a good DD that is good off road stick with a selectable locker.

 

[Purple77CJ7]

With the steering assist on my jeep I run at high way speeds with no issues. It works in conjunction with the steering gear box with tapped in hydraulic fittings so it assists. You don't even know it's there. It also works as a steering stabilizer instead of a shock absorber stabilizer.

 

[darnkid]

Also if you are just wanting it because you want a locker in the fron and are worried about making the steering harder I would use the money from the hydraulic system and an ARB or other selectable locker. The welded diff and hydra steering will put a ton of pressure and force on a lot of weak parts. If you have a 30 front you will start snapping axle shafts and blowing out hubs.

That is a very good point. I don't need hydro for a long time anyway....I'll just keep saving for that arb in both axles haha