The Slimer Build Thread

rtguy1 said:
are you going to do a DIY ram setup? are you going with a 1.5" or 1.75" ram? i've been looking into this for a long time and it can be done for cheap compared to the "kits" offered.
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Going with the 1.75". I don't believe they sell the 1.5" anymore. I will definitely post a thorough write-up once I get it installed. Still slowly ordering the pieces right now.
 
Prime8 said:
Going with the 1.75". I don't believe they sell the 1.5" anymore. I will definitely post a thorough write-up once I get it installed. Still slowly ordering the pieces right now.
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they sell a 1.5"x8". it can be limited by psc for $55 to 6.75" of travel, this way you can run the stock pump and box if you drill and tap it out. if you use the 1.75" ram you will need to ugrade the pump. there is a thread on doing this on another forum that spells out every step, exactly what you need to do it. explains exactly how to do the box drilling and tapping, plumbing the lines, what fittings are needed, etc. i've been looking into doing this for awhile. tons of guys have done it and had excellent results with no issues. some have pulled it off for around $400 or less, but they were getting the old discontinued 1.5" ram from the "garage sale" section of the psc site. here's a link to the ram that can be used

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/motor...assist-cylinders/1-5-x-8-assist-cylinder.html

let me know if u want anymore info. i have a supplier you can order the ram from for 10% off the price on the psc site + $55 for limiting the travel to 6.75". the kit has the mounting tabs you need for mounting/welding it on the trackbar bracket or evo flip kit bracket. then you need a cooler(not required but recommended), a tierod bracket, and the required lines and fittings. drill and tap the factory box and you are all set.

popular cooler for the diy setup

http://www.pscmotorsports.com/motor...mponents/single-pass-heat-sink-cooler-12.html
 
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Rick, I'll keep you informed.

Rtguy, thanks for the advice, I would have gotten the 1.75", completely unaware of impending doom. I have seen that DIY write-up, and a buddy in Chicago followed it for his install. I found a lightly used steering gear box online for $110 shipped and had it sent to my buddy to port and tap it. The only labor I will have to pay for is for welding the ram tabs onto my EVO high steer bracket. The current build sheet I have is below:
- PSC JK cylinder assist hose kit (PSC-HK2035) - $83
- PSC 1.5" x 6.75" Ram Assist Cylinder (SC2221K/SC2222K) with hardware - $196
- PSC power steering/transmission cooler (PSC-MBC110K-2) - $190
- gear box found online - $110
- misc hose clamps and such - $5

Total $584

The additional reservoir kit for $500 is not necessary unless you run a desert race rig. Also, the $1200 steering gear box that PSC sells as part of the $1600 kit does have some modifications that are slightly better than a ported and tapped stock box, but from what i have learned, you are mostly paying for the name and the custom machined aluminum parts they bolt on it. I decided that it was not worth $1200 to me, but some of you may want to just buy the preassembled kit because its easier and gives you peace of mind. I'm on a tight budget, so its the DIY kit or nothing.
 
Oh so u are using the 1.5" ram?
To touch on the reservoir topic.....this is why many add the cooler to the setup as u r doing. It adds some extra fluid volume to the setup, not as much as a reservoir but it helps and it's only like $50.
Another tip...not sure if you have purchased the parts u have listed but I spoke with Mel about this setup. He does not rec using the hose kit from psc. When they do installs, even with the full kits from psc, he said they source their own hydraulic lines and trash the psc hoses. He said they are crap and do not last. He mentioned them bubbling out, like an aneurysm or something. They use some that are multilayered and braided. He mentioned they have worn thru the top layers before and the lines still work fine. He said the psc will not take that kind of punishment and have caused issues on the trail before. As I said this part is from Mel and I do not have any first hand knowledge or experience with the quality of the psc lines. Just an FYI passing down what I was told from a reputable source....take it for what it's worth.



Edit: so I think you are saying you are gonna get the 1.5" x 8" and have it limited to 6.75" by psc?
 
rtguy1 said:
Oh so u are using the 1.5" ram?
To touch on the reservoir topic.....this is why many add the cooler to the setup as u r doing. It adds some extra fluid volume to the setup, not as much as a reservoir but it helps and it's only like $50.
Another tip...not sure if you have purchased the parts u have listed but I spoke with Mel about this setup. He does not rec using the hose kit from psc. When they do installs, even with the full kits from psc, he said they source their own hydraulic lines and trash the psc hoses. He said they are crap and do not last. He mentioned them bubbling out, like an aneurysm or something. They use some that are multilayered and braided. He mentioned they have worn thru the top layers before and the lines still work fine. He said the psc will not take that kind of punishment and have caused issues on the trail before. As I said this part is from Mel and I do not have any first hand knowledge or experience with the quality of the psc lines. Just an FYI passing down what I was told from a reputable source....take it for what it's worth.



Edit: so I think you are saying you are gonna get the 1.5" x 8" and have it limited to 6.75" by psc?
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Thanks for the update. I talked to West Texas Offroad (the redneck ram guys) and they mentioned the PSC hose quality too. No matter, west Texas Offroad sells the good hoses for $49, so better quality for cheaper! I found a website that lists the 1.5x6.75, so I'm going to call and see if they are still available. If not, I'll have to figure something else out, like your $55 cutting option.
 
Prime8 said:
Thanks for the update. I talked to West Texas Offroad (the redneck ram guys) and they mentioned the PSC hose quality too. No matter, west Texas Offroad sells the good hoses for $49, so better quality for cheaper! I found a website that lists the 1.5x6.75, so I'm going to call and see if they are still available. If not, I'll have to figure something else out, like your $55 cutting option.
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Yep....I'd go with different hoses for sure if you haven't already purchased them. The ram is limited internally. It will Operate juat like the 6.75" version. I think having the slightly longer ram body will actually help with mounting/clearance issues.
 
Prime8 said:
Rick, I'll keep you informed.

Rtguy, thanks for the advice, I would have gotten the 1.75", completely unaware of impending doom. I have seen that DIY write-up, and a buddy in Chicago followed it for his install. I found a lightly used steering gear box online for $110 shipped and had it sent to my buddy to port and tap it. The only labor I will have to pay for is for welding the ram tabs onto my EVO high steer bracket. The current build sheet I have is below:
- PSC JK cylinder assist hose kit (PSC-HK2035) - $83
- PSC 1.5" x 6.75" Ram Assist Cylinder (SC2221K/SC2222K) with hardware - $196
- PSC power steering/transmission cooler (PSC-MBC110K-2) - $190
- gear box found online - $110
- misc hose clamps and such - $5

Total $584

The additional reservoir kit for $500 is not necessary unless you run a desert race rig. Also, the $1200 steering gear box that PSC sells as part of the $1600 kit does have some modifications that are slightly better than a ported and tapped stock box, but from what i have learned, you are mostly paying for the name and the custom machined aluminum parts they bolt on it. I decided that it was not worth $1200 to me, but some of you may want to just buy the preassembled kit because its easier and gives you peace of mind. I'm on a tight budget, so its the DIY kit or nothing.
Click to expand...

I'm VERY interested in how this turns out! Price is VERY nice!! :thumb:

Do you have a link to where you found the gear box that cheap? I had been researching as I need a new gear box and I couldn't find anything near that price.
 
LoPo said:
I'm VERY interested in how this turns out! Price is VERY nice!! :thumb:

Do you have a link to where you found the gear box that cheap? I had been researching as I need a new gear box and I couldn't find anything near that price.
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I bought it off a guy who was trading in his jeep and pulled off his newer, good box and put his older worn out one back on. Just have to keep your eyes peeled for a deal.
 
Prime8 said:
I bought it off a guy who was trading in his jeep and pulled off his newer, good box and put his older worn out one back on. Just have to keep your eyes peeled for a deal.
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Oh OK, then that makes sense. :yup:
 
LoPo said:
Oh OK, then that makes sense. :yup:
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You can modify your own box, I just use my rig as a daily driver, so I couldn't afford to pull my box and send it to Chicago for my buddy to do the work. So I will have an extra gear box once I out the modified one on...
 
I have a gearbox sitting on the shelf if somebody wants it. Stock 2013 with 2000 miles on it. PM me if you are interested.

Dave
 
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