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Welcome to Holeproof Industries, Northern
Alaska's only real 4x4 and off-road shop. Providing custom fabrication & 4x4
parts for off-road vehicles in Interior Alaska.
Holeproof Industries Product
Installs & Testing
AGR Performance Steering
Rock Ram
AGR Performance has been a leader in the power steering business since
1984. Their founder is a proven winner in racing and off-road
competitions. He and many of there highly trained and experienced
employees are personally involved in racing, street and off-road
applications. The AGR product line provides quality, high
performance power steering components. All of AGR's products are
track tested and competition proven.
The AGR ROCK RAM
The ultimate in brute steering force for off-road vehicles.
Originally developed for competition rockcrawlers, the ROCKRAM*
system will improve the off-road and on-highway handling of any
vehicle running larger then stock tires. It works equally well on
weekend trail riders, hardcore rockcrawlers. The ROCKRAM* system is
engineered for any vehicle needing extra steering force to turn
large tires or maneuver off-road. The ROCKRAM* system increases your
steering force by 100% or more, yet still retains excellent handling
characteristics for on-road driving. The ram cylinder servers as an
added assist to the gearbox and as a powered steering stabilizer,
eliminating the need for a conventional steering stabilizer. The ram
cylinder uses dynamic hydraulic pressure to control front-end
movement, not just cushion it. This results in a smoother ride and
increased tire life.
When we here Holeproof Industries contacted AGR about our shop truck
build-up Vice President Larry Szuhy contacted us with excitement. We
where thrilled to work out a deal to receive, install and cold
weather test an AGR Rock Ram kit on out MJ. The Comanche be the
Cherokees cousin we agreed on a suitable XJ kit with an 8” hydraulic
ram.
The AGR Rock Ram Kit consists of a new high output pump; steering box with
drilled and taped holes for the hydraulic ram fittings, the ram with our kit is
8" and all tabs, hardware and hydraulic lines needed to install. There are 6",
8", and 9" rams available from AGR.
Start by disassembling all of your stock steering gear. A factory service manual
should be used to assist in tear down and reinstallation of all parts. Remove
your power steering pump pulley from the old pump. To remove the pulley you
MUST use a special pulley
puller tool. If you do not have one do not try to pull or pry it off in any
other way you will destroy the pulley. Some newer pulleys are plastic and will
shatter if forced to fast even with a pulley puller. Two metal clamps hold the
pump to the reservoir. Remove the two clips and separate the pump from the power
steering reservoir. There is a small o-ring on the nipple of the reservoir, make
sure this is in good condition or replace. Clean all old or used parts for
reassembly. Attach the new AGR pump to the reservoir and reinstall the retainer
clips. Using the pulley puller install the pulley onto the new AGR pump.
We recommend installing an automatic transmission cooler on
the return line of any steering system that sees bigger tires and off-road use.
This not only increases the fluid compactly but also helps cool the power
steering fluid before it reenters the pump resulting in increased life of the
fluid and power steering compotes. Units like the one pictured can be bought at
any auto parts store. We also recommend replacing any steering hose older then a
year, as damage may not be visibly noticeable.
Finding the best place to mount your new Rock Ram may be the biggest hurdle.
Although near the same size as the stock steering stabilizer the piston throw of
the ram is much different. We where not doing tie rod or drag link upgrades at
this time so we needed to find the best position for the ram with the stock
Y-steering setup.
We started by removing the tie rod, cleaning it and
sleeving it we a section of 1.25” DOM tubing with a wall thickness of .085 .
This leaves a small area between the tie rod and the tubing so we needed to
center it just right. Rosette weld it in a few spots and fully weld the ends.
This gave us a descent place to weld the rams mounting tabs to. Although the
mounting spot we chouse works fine on the road and mild trails, we believe it
will hit parts of the steering under articulation and plan to remount it from
the drivers side soon.
AGR has been the leader in off-road steering products for years.
We will be installing the AGR Rock Ram kit on our Shop Trucks Dana 30 front
axle.
If you are a
fan of the MJ please visit
http://www.comancheclub.com/forums/
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