Jeep JK Ram Assist DIY UNDER $300!!

[@BlackHawk295]

Huh this is a pretty neat idea. I'd definitely look into doing this on my ZJ if I weren't already planning on replacing the pump as it's like 25 years old and a little noisy at times lol

[@4WDTrek]

So far, it has helped my offroad and also my on road experiences a LOT. Highly recommend!

[@ivanyurkinov]

shortcut= the longest distance between two points. thanks for the parts breakdown

[@4WDTrek]

Glad I could help you bud!

[@ElevatedVehicles]

That sector shaft will break now. May wanna brace it. Great video 🔥

[@4WDTrek]

Haven't had any issues with it yet. But from what I have heard, it's only a matter of time. Especially since I bumped up to one ton axles and 40s.

[@ElevatedVehicles]

@@4WDTrek o that's awesome! Which axles did you go with?

[@4WDTrek]

D60 front and 14 bolt rear. Did a whole build series on them on the channel. Milestar 40's as well

[@ElevatedVehicles]

@@4WDTrek o sweet. I'll subscribe

[@fogstain]

The sector shaft doesnt have anywhere near the lateral force on it now with the ram doing most of the work. Mines fine on 40s with D60.

[@TheRambler-pz1gx]

Just a heads up. I have seen 3 people with ported JK boxes,and ram assist break a sector shaft on the trail. no clue how its possible. My assumption is the pressure inst 1:1 in the ram vs the box. thus force is being applied to the sector shaft, or the ram is over steering the box thus breaking the sector shaft.

[@4WDTrek]

Funny you say that, a buddy of mine just broke his sector shaft after I made this video. I'm looking into that sector shaft brace that he did.

[@jimsather6892]

@@4WDTrek There are several of them out there, but FWIW I really liked the Synergy sector shaft brace/stabilizer a lot. I ended up having to take mine off when I got the big bore PSC box, but up until that point it was definitely a noticeable improvement, removing some of the play caused by the factory aluminum box and mount in the JL.

[@4WDTrek]

@@jimsather6892 good heads up. I have been looking at the synergy one as well.

[@Marty1911]

I suspect that in those cases the stroke of the ram exceeded the travel of the other steering components. That would be the only way that i can think of that the ram would add stress to the sector shaft.

[@jimsather6892]

@@Marty1911 That might be true if the wheels were on a flat smooth low/no friction surface. It is not true when in the rocks. The force of the ram is both lateral and diagonal back to the sector shaft (basically an anchor point), and there can be quite a bit of force even before the steering travel limit is reached when there is high wheel friction.

[@Thexkidd]

Damn, you made that look easy.

[@4WDTrek]

It wasn't too bad to be honest

[@Thexkidd]

@@4WDTrek you made look not bad. I may try this at some point.

[@Thexkidd]

@@4WDTrek I’ll come over soon then. 😂

[@4WDTrek]

@@Thexkidd Haha I have a lot of work to finish up this axle swap. My jeep has taken over my garage currently

[@jimsather6892]

I don't know about the JK, but on the JL I'd say that the steering stabilizer mount isn't really a strong enough anchor for hydro RAM. I did a full PSC system and had some fabrication done on that end. You might want to keep an eye on that. Also, despite the magnet, I'd still be nervous about shavings that could possibly fall into the steering box when porting it this way. That's just me though...

[@4WDTrek]

I should have specified in the video, this isn't the stock mount for the steering stabilizer. It was an aftermarket one for a lift that I installed on the jeep. Also with the shavings, as I was cutting with the tap, and also with the drill, I was very meticulous about only going so deep, pulling it out and cleaning, then cutting a bit more. But that is definitely good looking out for that though!

[@fn8571]

How do you flash the metal shavings out after drilling

[@4WDTrek]

I used a magnet to fish them all out.

[@DiegoMartinez-es7tl]

What size were the hoses that you got locally made 1/4”?

[@4WDTrek]

I believe they were 3/8 ID hoses.

[@nathanverhulst9924]

I’m about to set mine up with the ram in pretty much the exact same setup. Which port on the steering box did you run to the stationary side of the psc ram? Would definitely save me some time if I knew before I hook up my lines for first test

[@4WDTrek]

Off the top of my head, I don't recall. But I know 100% that whichever I ran in the video, it was backwards.

[@frankcastle2251]

Front hole (radiator side) went to the stationary on mine.

[@joshgrier3014]

How has this gone for you, have you upgraded to 40s? Thoughts on going to the 1.75 over 1.5 stroke?

[@4WDTrek]

It has been great on the 40s. I'm not sure if the 1.75 is actually needed or not. My limiting factor currently us the slower response when turning hard one way then back the other way at slow speeds, but I think that's due to the flow rate of the pump. But for l just normal driving and on trails, it works very well.

[@TheFooteClan]

@@4WDTrek100% pump I have the same thing on my JKU. When I’m bombing a trail and need to quickly dodge something or pulling out of a driveway or parking lot fast I have steering lag. It’s from the pump not being strong enough for the hydro ram. Throwing a PSC pump I got for an epic deal soon so I’ll update you how it goes!

[@4WDTrek]

@@TheFooteClan please do! I'm thinking about swapping the pump soon on mine as well.

[@njeffs8]

Is the 8” ram travel to much for the stock throw in the steering?

[@4WDTrek]

It was ever so slightly when perfectly centered. You can see it force the wheel out a bit. You can put a spacer externally or internally to limit the travel though.

[@Leeser_Forge]

How were the road manners after this? I wheel enough to need assist but I drive my JK on road frequently as well

[@4WDTrek]

I feel like the road manners actually improved over the stock style steering stabilizer. It stopped all the floating feeling in the steering.

[@Leeser_Forge]

@@4WDTrek and the steering return to center was still ok?

[@4WDTrek]

@@Leeser_Forge Yup. Still like normal. But it does not wander like it did prior. Its pretty nice

[@tijdrovers68]

How Does it drive on main Road? Does it steer automatic to centre like stock setup…?

[@4WDTrek]

It does steer back to center like a stock set up. I feel that it also helps get rid of the wandering feeling the stock set up has

[@tijdrovers68]

thank you. than i gonna plan to start the same setup on my 68 landy, 37" tires @@4WDTrek

[@4WDTrek]

@@tijdrovers68 sounds like an awesome rig! If you are in the Seattle area, would love to see it

[@tazito1972]

what did you do with the coolant reservoir hitting the hoses out f the box?

[@4WDTrek]

I ended up attaching the reservoir with a zip tie after everything was all in place.

[@tazito1972]

@@4WDTrek I cut the bottom of mine and used epoxy to put it back together

[@frankcastle2251]

I just did this install today. The rear line (closest to the firewall) needs to be drilled and tapped further back and you won’t have problems clearing the reservoir.

[@MilekOffRoad]

Hi, Ive question, you leave of course stock Pump and so on, any issues with Pump so far ?:-)

[@4WDTrek]

I haven't had any issues other than it does have a slight lag when at very low speeds. I'll likely throw on an under drive pulley soon to speed up the fluid a bit.

[@thebakery3996]

When you do this it’s a good idea to clean it first at least. You really want to rebuild it when you do this cuz of more pressure. Also clean out the inside cuz ya just put shavings in it.

[@4WDTrek]

I actually didn't get any shavings in there, if you can believe it. I checked with a very small borescope

[@bramos7398]

Sick ..🤙🏽🔥🤙🏽

[@4WDTrek]

Maybe one day you will come out and see all my build in person. =)

[@jacksjeepinchannel5349]

Are there torque specs for the lines? About to replace my ram because I bent the shaft.

[@4WDTrek]

An6 fittings are 13-15 ft/lbs

[@adambatchelder4121]

The ram kit in your video is now 324.00

[@4WDTrek]

The price on it fluctuates a lot. It will likely drop back down in price if you keep an eye on it.

[@adambatchelder4121]

@@4WDTrek thanks I will watch it .

[@mdntblu]

The ram just 5 months later is showing $343. Crazy inflation.

[@4WDTrek]

Yeah thats absolutely wild. It was half the price when I bought it. I'm hoping the price comes back down soon

[@tazito1972]

and drilled it in place so now all the shavings are in the box🤦

[@4WDTrek]

Not correct.

[@tazito1972]

@@4WDTrek so what did you do to prevent that? because you didn't explain it on the video

[@Dthwobljku]

Damn… that ram is $345 now lol…

[@4WDTrek]

I have seen it skyrocket during the holidays. I would wait for the price to drop back down

[@3spriggs3]

This is not under 300 anymore the ram alone is 350 😢

[@4WDTrek]

I noticed that. It jumped up in price like crazy around the holidays. I bet after the new year, it will drop. I got mine for $180

[@mdntblu]

@@4WDTrek Still $350. CRAZY. Oh well.

[@tazito1972]

the cylinder by itself is $348 😂

[@4WDTrek]

The price does fluctuate a lot. As stated, got mine on sale.

[@chubbyb5718]

Let us know how long before your system is toast from all those metal shavings in that box. Hahaha

[@4WDTrek]

Because I had so many people give me crap about it, I pulled the steering box out and checked. Zero metal shavings. I'm guessing using the magnet like I stated in the video helped!