Hydro assist on the cheap

[854RUN]

So i just got my stuff in and they sent the wrong ram . before i call on Monday, any one have any issues with the 36" lines, thinking about getting some 48" lines? they look like they might not be long enough? o and is every one just using power steering fluid or something different?

[abeer]

From what I've read- most folks are recommending running what the PUMP likes. I have the stock toy pump so its Dexron ATF for me and the ram doesnt care.

[beyondlogic]

has anyone ever put hydro assist on IFS?  if so is it any different?  Pros? Cons?

[854RUN]

ya that what rack and pinion steering is for the most part, so any toyota truck after 1997(i think)

[beyondlogic]

sorry i meant 86-95 IFS so it would be using the same concept as hydro assist on a SAS, with a tapped steering box and a ram.

[854RUN]

i know, i was not trying to be an ace sorry. I have not heard of it but i bet you could really easily. Trying to see it in my mind. i think you could attach the ram to your inner frame? like Marlin's steering stabilizer

[axel9615]

I browsed the whole post but didn't see anything about ram diameters...

Has anyone tried the 2" ram from surplus

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009020614255204&item=9-7259-6&catname=hydraulic

or

http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009020614255204&item=9-7602-06&catname=hydraulic

[854RUN]

The bigger the ram the slower it will move. Its a volume issue

[beyondlogic]

i know, i was not trying to be an ace sorry. I have not heard of it but i bet you could really easily. Trying to see it in my mind. i think you could attach the ram to your inner frame? like Marlin's steering stabilizer

you werent no offense was taken  thanks for your help

[Volcom]

OK, big question, ATF or power steering fluid??  I used synthetic PS fluid when I first put my system together.  Long story short, I broke my ram and had PSC repair it.  The system is now dry.  Should I switch to ATF to save the pump from potentially leaking after using PS fluid??  Mix ATF and PS half and half?  I've heard rumors that ATF is basically PS fluid with some red tint 

[854RUN]

I am, and have been running 50/50 with on issues for years. I have not put my ram on so I don't know how it will do but my pump likes what's in it so that what I am sticking with. I went 50/50 because ATF will keep every thing cleaner. Just did not have enough balls to go full ATF really but it like it so...  I dont think they are the same maybe close but not the same.

[DTB]

NO they are not the same. If you have a Toyota box, PS fluid will make it leak....I  seen it happen


Your owners manual specifies ATF only for the  power steering system

[Bazzi]

I have neeeever used anything else than ATF

[Volcom]

NO they are not the same. If you have a Toyota box, PS fluid will make it leak....I  seen it happen


Your owners manual specifies ATF only for the  power steering system

Will the hydro ram work fine on ATF?  PSC calls for PS fluid in their rams. 

[Bazzi]

works like a charm for me

[Scott83]

finished my hydro install sunday night,but its not working very well.  I crank the truck ,worked the steering back and forth to work the air out but I don't think that its going to work. the how to wright up was great and the conversion worked good,but I am having trouble bleeding air out of the system. Does any one have any suggestions?

[4RunnerChevy]

ATF works fine for me.  Chevy pump, Toy box, and a ram.

[newbe94]

ATF  (automatic trans fluid )?   in stock toy power steering?

[Scott83]

 :help:my rams a hang-in low and am waiting for the air to work out any more ideas?

[abeer]

Scott- be patient. It took me 4 DAYS of bleeding every few hours to work properly. Also, as a note, the ram really needs the pump to be in high pressure to work correctly. If the wheels are off the ground that happens when you hit the stops. Sorry if you already knew that, but just wanted to make sure.

[Scott83]

i let it set all night and today,then i turned lock to lock 5 or 6  times. took it off the jacks and it works good now,thanks for the info, great thread.

[DTB]

Scott- be patient. It took me 4 DAYS of bleeding every few hours to work properly. Also, as a note, the ram really needs the pump to be in high pressure to work correctly. If the wheels are off the ground that happens when you hit the stops. Sorry if you already knew that, but just wanted to make sure.

Yea I think it took about a day and a half for mine to bleed out.....
Ya gotta think the capacity is pretty much 2-3 times more...maybe more with all the lines, ram, cooler, larger reservoir, etc..

lots of nooks and crannys for air to hide in!

I tried everything to get it out   

[854RUN]

Well i got mine all hooked up and ready to rock and i did not have to bleed it at all  . Before i installed every thing i filled it all with atf. took some pix of the drilled and taped holes.

[4XFlyin]

It would be nice if everyone who did this posted pictures of their set up. Particularly how they mounted the ram. It would be cool to see the different mount ideas used.

[854RUN]

Good idea, I will also post up some pics tonight of how I ran the lines and ram

[COToy91]

anyone using this ram?
http://www.surpluscenter.com/item.asp?UID=2009032402294531&item=9-7258-6&catname=hydraulic

Only concern is the 1" rod versus the 3/4" on the one that was used by most...

edit ports on the one above are sae 6? the other one used by most is 3/8..
wtf is sae? same as jic or npt?

[4RunnerChevy]

sae 6 is also 3/8  (1/16 per number 2=1/8, 4=1/4)  in a 37* flare I believe and also parallel thread.  I could be wrong cause I try to make all my hydraulics (home and work) JIC.    Easy enough to find fittings for regardless.

[Volcom]

-6 AN is the same as #6 JIC.  NPT is different than AN / JIC.

I'll post some pics of my new hydro assist diff bracket.  It works better than my old setup.

I also got a run in on my assist with ATF.  Maybe it was just me but my steering seemed to work better when I was running syn. PS fluid.  I seem to get way more pump whine with ATF.  I also seem to get some weird feeling spots in the steering (hard to explain).  When turning the wheel, certain spots seem to be "more grabby" and the pump whines louder than normal.  I think if I added a larger reservoir that some of these problems would go away.

[COToy91]

thanks guys that helps out. Everyone should post more pictures of their setups....

[yotaismygame]

this is way cool. It makes me want to weld up my front just so i can go hyrdo assist to see how nice it is lol