Well after fighting the steering last year, we decided to add a hydraulic cylinder to help out. The pump supplies 1700 psi, so the 1.5" bore x 8" stroke x 3/4" rod cylinder should provide 3000#'s assist turning right and 2200#'s turning left.

It was a cylinder from http://surpluscenter.com/home.asp?UID=2009032809465623 They had the 3/4 ID swivel ends too.



I cut the crosstubes off from the cylinder and welded on the swivels. Then built a clamp for the tie rod, that way we can adjust the toe-in like factory, if needed. Found a piece of 1/4 wall tube that just fit over the tie rod, and plug welded it in about 25 spots. Then just make a mount on the axle to support the butt-end of the cylinder.








To power the cylinder you have to tap the box on both sides of the piston. We went ti the aluminum caps since they are removable and easy to machine. We modified them to accept -6 SAE o-ring fittings. The end plug get pressure on a RH turn and the top cap gets it under a LH turn.





The results? It is 300% better now. You can be in 4WD with both axles welded and do figure 8's just for fun. Might try it out with about 2K on the front today, that will be the real test.

 

interesting, nice work.