Hydro assist on my LJ

[gorilla_skater]

Are there frame modifications swapping Mercedes to Saginaw?

I believe, stock for stock, the frame needs a new hole and sleeve.

PSC welds on an extra tab so it bolts right in.


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[SteveB]

Are there frame modifications swapping Mercedes to Saginaw?

I believe, stock for stock, the frame needs a new hole and sleeve.

PSC welds on an extra tab so it bolts right in.


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When I converted mine I didn’t have to shorten the steering shaft as it is collapsible. But you do have to move one mounting hole. I believe it it wa the lower one. So I drilled out the sleeve with a hole saw. I plasma out a spot where the new sleeve would go and the. Welded the factory sleeve back in and filled in the hole on the frame. Mind you it isn’t moving very much, it was like an inch or less.

 

[SteveB]

And for the hydro kit, it was cheaper at the time but still cheaper than psc now. I used trail gear hydro assist and drilled and tapped my own box with Tom’s help. Drill and tap a new box use trail gear kit, comes with ram, mounts. And hydro lines and fittings. I even returned my Mercedes’ box as the core for the Saginaw, nobody knew the difference. Only thing you would need extra is a clamp but they sell them pretty cheap, they have ones that are threaded for a bolt single shear and they also have ones set up in double shear so it’s stronger. Or you can just get a clamp and weld tabs on it.

 

[SteveB]

On a side not, the hydro was strong enough that when I had busted a u joint and the missing ears lined up in both shafts and tried to turn it did this to the coil bucket.

 

[HankD]

Is Redneck Ram still around? Yep they are.
https://www.westtexasoffroad.com/sites/default/files/ORDERFORM.pdf

 

[YJScrounge]

I have a setup in the shed. Ping me, if you want to go used…

 

[Pete]

I have a setup in the shed. Ping me, if you want to go used…

there ya go.  side note I have a PSC box and have been very happy with it. 

 

[gorilla_skater]

Thanks for all the input! I've decided to get a new pump and the PSC Big Bore box to start. It's a saginaw box modified to fit 2003-2006.

This gets me better steering on the trail, and I won't mess with the current steering linkage because it drives perfect on the road right now. I'll get it ported for future ram assist.

 

[joe98tj]

good choice

 

[YJScrounge]

Great start!

 

[A new level]

Perfect!

 

[gorilla_skater]

Update on this. When talking to Tom, he said that the stock steering stabilizer bracket isn't strong enough for Hydro Assist. I asked G2 and they replied:

"Hey Rey,

Here is what Engineering said:

It depends on the system, but for the most part yes. The stabilizer bracket on the G2 housing is far stronger than the OEM housing."

 

[gorilla_skater]

I took advantage of the Black Friday sale from Offroad Elements and just received a box full of PSC goodness...

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[RedJeepster1]

Woohoo! That’s an upgrade you will not regret!!


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[YJScrounge]

Purdy!!!!!

 

[JeepinMaxx]

That's a nice kit!

 

[gorilla_skater]

OK, I finally had a chance to look at this. Jeremy called it, there is definitely no room to attach to the tie rod with the track bar in the way. So, it's gonna have to go to the drag link the way the stabilizer is mounted. I know that's not ideal.

I measured the steering travel and it's about 5 1/2 inches at the draglink.

Question: Since the steering travel is shorter than the cylinder throw, I've read that I should take the cylinder apart and add washers to shorten the throw?

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[RedJeepster1]

You will want to internally stop the ram. I have not done it before so I cannot comment on how it's done. I'm sure there's videos. I can say you will also want to beef up the steering stabilizer mount if that's what you intend to bolt to though. Assuming it's the same thin steel on that axle that it is on the stock axle.

 

[Red Rocker]

Maybe you can customize this type of mount for the axle end

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/brackets-tabs/products/universal-track-bar-bracket-axle-mount



These are nice for the drag link end, double shear mount

https://www.tmrcustoms.com/collections/jeep-jk-off-road-parts/products/double-shear-tie-rod-clamp-hydraulic-assist