Hydro-Assist for Dummies
I spent a lot of time researching how to do hydro assist on my 81 Wagoneer and I?m hoping I can make it substantially easier for the rest of you IFSJA folk who want to do this mod
Tools Needed:
Assorted Wrenches (5/8, 11/16 and 3/4 were the most used)
Large set of Channel Locks
Drill
7/16" Drill Bit
Two (2) 1/4" NPT Taps
Not needed, but useful: 1" hole saw, welder, grinder, 5/8" drill bit, 5/8" tap, 9/16" drill bit
Materials needed:
2x8 Hydraulic Ram - I used a Lion 2500 from Northern Tool. A 1.5x8 may be more appropriate for people who drive a lot on the street. I?d suggest you look into a ram that has heim joints at the ends instead of large pins like mine does. They?ll make installation much cleaner IMHO.
Two (2) 1/4" NPT to 3/8" pipe adapter
Two hi-pressure lines with 3/8" fittings at each end. One female and one male. Make sure one end is a swivel type end.
Background:
Here?s a little background info on how the system works. Below you can see a diagram of the steering box internals. Note the locations of high pressure when turning left or right.
Basically you want to tap into a spot that will give you access to this pressure to push the ram in either direction. Here?s a diagram showing the locations of where to drill and when they apply pressure:
The exact tap locations are more visible in the picture below:
The left pressure tap is centered on the seam of the box, the right pressure tap is identifiable by a small spot weld at the end of the housing where the red arrow is pointing.
[ May 16, 2004, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: robselina ]
I spent a lot of time researching how to do hydro assist on my 81 Wagoneer and I?m hoping I can make it substantially easier for the rest of you IFSJA folk who want to do this mod
Tools Needed:
Assorted Wrenches (5/8, 11/16 and 3/4 were the most used)
Large set of Channel Locks
Drill
7/16" Drill Bit
Two (2) 1/4" NPT Taps
Not needed, but useful: 1" hole saw, welder, grinder, 5/8" drill bit, 5/8" tap, 9/16" drill bit
Materials needed:
2x8 Hydraulic Ram - I used a Lion 2500 from Northern Tool. A 1.5x8 may be more appropriate for people who drive a lot on the street. I?d suggest you look into a ram that has heim joints at the ends instead of large pins like mine does. They?ll make installation much cleaner IMHO.
Two (2) 1/4" NPT to 3/8" pipe adapter
Two hi-pressure lines with 3/8" fittings at each end. One female and one male. Make sure one end is a swivel type end.
Background:
Here?s a little background info on how the system works. Below you can see a diagram of the steering box internals. Note the locations of high pressure when turning left or right.
Basically you want to tap into a spot that will give you access to this pressure to push the ram in either direction. Here?s a diagram showing the locations of where to drill and when they apply pressure:
The exact tap locations are more visible in the picture below:
The left pressure tap is centered on the seam of the box, the right pressure tap is identifiable by a small spot weld at the end of the housing where the red arrow is pointing.
[ May 16, 2004, 09:58 PM: Message edited by: robselina ]
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