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Danfoss Steering Valve
9.7 in^3/ revolution, Open Center, Load Reactive, Non-Sensitive Orbitrol Valve
3/4" - 16 Boss O-Ring Fittings are required with this valve

This is a very high displacement valve for your typical hydro steer application. I wanted to have approximately 3 turns lock to lock, and with the cylinder I have its takes a high displacement valve to do that. 

The cylinder / Ram has a 2.5" bore and an 8" stroke. This allows for approximately 6300 lbs of force with 2000 psi supplied pressure. The Outside Diameter is 3.0" so the cylinder has .250" wall. Very Stout. The end caps are threaded so this cylinder is fully rebuildable. In the even of some serious carnage, any hydraulic shop can easily repair any component in the cylinder. The rod is 4340, IHCP Induction Hardened, Chrome plated. This ram uses 3/8" Boss O-ring fittings. Hoses can be purchased custom made from your local auto parts store. 

This is a rough idea of how I will make the clamps that hold the ram to the axle. They will most likely be machined from a piece of 6061 billet. 

I am using 3/4x5/8" QA1 Teflon/Kevlar lined spherical rod ends, more commonly referred to as Heim Joints. Ultimate Radial Static Load of 40,572 pounds

The pictures above show how the ram is currently mounted for mock up purposes. The clamps shown are temporary ones I made from 1/4" plate. The tie rod in the stock location (the yellow and black one) will be removed once the ram is mounted in its final configuration, as a double ended cylinder does not require any additional mechanical linkage.

In some of the above pictures you can see some tie rods that I made from a piece of Schedule 80 3/4" Pipe. While there is no doubt in my mind that they would be strong enough, they were lacking in the Cool department. So I made the ones in the two pictures directly above. They were machined from 1.5" solid 2024-T3 Aluminum bar stock.  

Copper is the main alloy in 2000 series Aluminum. In its heat-treated condition the mechanical properties are equal to, and sometimes are better than mild steel. You can artificially age 2000 series aluminum to increase its strength. (this generally has a greater affect on its yield strength, rather than its Tensile strength) The down side to the 2000 series, is its inherent lack of corrosion resistance. 2024 is very commonly referred to as Aircraft Aluminum. 

_{I finally got around to making the clamps for my Hydro Ram. They are 1" thick 6061. They are held together with 7/16" SHCS.} 

My ram, valve, and heim joints were purchased from Sean Stapley, at Performance Off-Road Systems. 
Contact Sean Stapley by E-mail @ Performance Off-Road Systems Or by phone @ (334) 567-7229
This is the ONLY place you need to go for your Hydraulic steering needs.

I continue to be more and more impressed with the system I have chosen for the Freak. Performance Off-Road Systems is without a doubt a leader in Hydro Steering systems. I told Sean what I wanted, and he delivered. I wanted a steering system that allowed close to 3 turns lock to lock, and that is what I got. He got in touch with the applications engineers at Danfoss, and together they developed a valve that would have all the best characteristics of stock steering, and none of the downfalls. I have just the right amount of road/trail feel, and plenty of power to turn my 45" Goodyears. All with a stock, unmodified Saginaw, Cadillac steering pump. The steering ratio allows my 127" WB to be agile on tight and twisty trails, without becoming twitchy at higher speeds. One particular tight corner, I drove around at speed, when a YJ, and XJ, had to stop and make a two point turn. As of yet, I have not had the truck over 40 mph, but even at that speed, the steering is tight, and responsive. Never once have I felt like I could out drive the steering. One two occasions, I  had to back down steep and rutted hills with out the engine running. While it did take substantially increased effort, the steering was adequate for the situation. On another occasion, I had to turn the wheels while stopped on somewhat flat ground. This took greatly increased effort, but was still possible. (don't forget this is with tires that have nearly 2" deep lugs and a contact patch the size of most peoples tire diameter.

I haven't even had time to measure my toe in, or adjust anything on my suspension. I was driving between 30 and 40 mph down trails that last year I would not have driven more than 10 mph on. With one front tire at like 20 psi, and the other at 4 psi. The steering should have been seriously handicapped by that, and it still kicked ass.

If anyone is interested in running a system such as the one I installed on the Freak I would be more than happy to do it for you. Email me akfabshop (at) gmail.com

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