[redhatman]

Originally Posted by Timo_90xj

Ok, sounds good enough.. I've partially rebuilt two engines, set up multiple R%P sets, done a whole lot of fabbing, but this thing creeps me out

I have a nice big magnet and a steel tray, I'll be doing the tear-down and rebuild on that Thanks for the info and pics!

No problem! Like I said, let me know if you have any questions. Just make sure you have plenty of time to do it, and take your time.

Old steering box out



I noticed the one that was in my Jeep, (reman one) had this rubber boot inside of the pitman hole. I dont know it it was meant to be a diaper type of seal from the reman company, or basically a dust shield. I reinstalled it on the new one, factory ones dont have it.

[redhatman]

After these pictures, i put the steering box brace back on too and made sure it was free of oil residue. So far after 40 minutes of total driving since installation, its all good. Drives nice, and leak free! I have the ends capped until I get the ram mounted, which I hope will be saturday.

I then took the ram apart so I could see what I am dealing with, and so I can weld to it without worrying about overheating the o-rings

[redhatman]

Time to start mounting the ram!

I remeasured everything again before deciding to cut up the ram and making it un-returnable. It looks like this ram will end up being slightly too short. Ideally, I think you would want about 6.5" of travel, obviously it depends on how you mount it too. I am still going with my 6" ram because the way I see it, is even if you bumpstop the inside of a longer ram, if that thing extends even a little too far, you are either bending your tie rod, or pulling on the gearbox. I would rather loose that little bit of steering at the end of the cycle and have the ram be the stop, versus having the steering box and components being pushed to their limits and causing excessive wear.

Rough sketch of what I plan on doing to mount it on the tie-rod



Drawn neater



Traced onto 1/4" steel plate

[redhatman]

I started by drilling both of the holes first, then I cut out the two tabs and bolted them side by side.


I went over it with a flapwheel and made them identical all around.

You can see here, the heim would not have maximum rotational travel being its limited by the flat on the tab. So I drew a new cut line.



Fixed

[redhatman]

Time to start modifying the ram. I started with the rod end of it. I took the ram all apart, and first ground the tube flat with an angle grinder as I could, then took an even surface off with the lathe. I am putting the flat on there so I can drill it straight through.



Time to drill!





More updates later!

[redhatman]

[redhatman]

Making the mount...

[redhatman]

Ram bolted on... I am planning on strengthening up the drivers side of the mount too, dont worry








What do you guys think?

[redhatman]

That's awesome man!

[redhatman]

Thanks, I think so too.....

Tab welded onto the tie rod, I sense a new coat of paint on all of the steering soon!



Bracket all tacked up, I have washers installed that is equal to the width of the heim so that when I weld it all together nothing warps like crazy.

[Freestyle713]

Originally Posted by redhatman

What do you guys think?

Originally Posted by redhatman

That's awesome man!

Originally Posted by redhatman

Thanks, I think so too.....

Lol

[redhatman]

Welded the tabs onto my tie-rod



I then took some 3/4" round stock and cut off thin slices and used these as caps. I welded them in, and ground them smooth to make the ram look a little better.



Welding the axle mount bracket on, I decided to remove the tie rod so I could get the steering stabilizer bracket off, and also so I could get a better angle for prepping the surface, welding, and painting.

[redhatman]

Painting the ram, I did 2 coats of primer, then silver

[redhatman]

Now....I.....Just....get.....to....wait.....for... ........paint.............to...............dry.... ........

[redhatman]

Well..... any updates? How's it work?!