external steering/rams??
 

i am trying to piece together a dual ram full hydraulic steering setup for a single bravo dual ram, i have been researching the hell out of it and am thinking if i can find rams i can put the rest together for a reasonable price. if anyone has a set latham, imco or similar rams i would be interested. what i am really posting for is i see companies online selling custom stainless rams but i cant get a price with out telling them specs on what i need..... does anyone by any chance know of a place that sells rams? or maybe who supplies these companies with their rams? these steering setups are simple, in my opinion these companies are making big bucks selling these parts... there really isnt much to them. i have been able to track down just about everything besides rams. i am sure there are hundreds of people that have done the same thing i am trying to do right now so any input would be appreciated.

I feel the same way, I would like to get the steering also. It seem like a ton of money for a couple of rams, valves and fittings. Let me know what you find out.

A Good Start?
 

I don't know what else you need, but here's a lot of it here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/latha...item4aa74d8d07

have a set of marine machine rams i'll sell - tonight i'll measure and send pics - give me your email

There is a guy on here somewhere that builds them. I have seen his kits and they look very nice also talked to a couple of guys that run them and have not had any problems. His screen name is "Violater" he is out of Wisconsin and runs a Baja i think, think he runs a machine shop or something his website was all about Monster Trucks. Go to the Swap Shop section he responded to a similiar inquiry for a Hyrdaulic set up and you can contact him from there.

I've never priced these out. Probably insanely expensive if you just walk up to a Parker counter, but if you have an account with them...maybe an option? Certainly will be a nice part and high quality.

Parker Stainless Cylinders

Hynautic used to sell their cylinders outright,They were bought out by Teleflex, Try GoToMarine,I think they still sell various cylinders.

i saw those, i think that is priced too high personally... new rams from imco look to be less than 700 each with the tansom brackets... for about 2200 you can get a add on setup with all brand new componenets and then you just need a helm to go full. those have been listed for several months now...

message sent for marine machine rams.

the hynautics is a option but thye are still not cheap and they are not very attractive. there has to be a place that sells something similar to like a imco or latham setup out there...

emails sent

Fixx
 

i have inquires my self about the cylinders..you have to do a do search for smooth body hydraulic cylinders,i spoke to a guy at

CAL-WEST Machining, Inc.
Orange, CA
714-637-4161

The only problem is if you were to just make 2 for your application it would be expensive, the more you order the cheaper they are so if you got a bunch of us together willing to buy mass quantity he can build them at a cheaper price. they can mfg them but you would have to polish them..

what kind of pricing are we talking?

Have you tried Paul Everett at www.everettperformance.com? I've been checking around myself, and so far he has the best price and quality products.

2-K16 hynautic rams 400.00 in swap shop section today

Paul Everett is the one who runs the Zieger marine product end with his business.

We have been a distributor & Installer of their products for quite a while. If you would like prices on any of it feel free to give me a shout.. They are very good quality products.

:) Jamie / Lakeside Restorations 570-639-2628

Fixx
 

to be honest he really did not say..

Part of the reason the nice rams cost so much is the aesthetics. You can probably find cheaper rams that will work, but they will look like sh*t.

Did Zieger take over from WPM Racing?
I have a complete dual ram setup for single Bravo that I want to use on Twin Bravo. All I need is another wing plate for the other drive.
I have not been able to find anything on WPM lately.
Any help would be appreciated.
Aaron

Any good machine shop can copy your wingplate and then u need a tiebar, i have 2 saddles for bravo here collecting dust.

i bought a single latham ram and i think i have the hull mounts and steering cap or wingplate lined up also. will have about 650 plus the cost of hoses and a couple pieces of hardware i will need. this gets me pretty much what a add on system would have been at 1300 bucks new. i plan to find a helm next and try to have full hydraulic single ram steering for under 1500 bucks. i will be watching for a second latham ram also, if i can find one i would love to do dual ram but for now i think i am going to be fine with a single.

The reason they are so expesive is that they are made out of stainless steel.

You need to decide if you are going to have single or dual ram before doing the full hydraulic.

There is a lot more to it then buying a couple cylinders and a helm unit.
How do attach the helm to the column, do the cylinder in holes match up to the holes in the transom brackets and drive bracket? Mix matching parts doesn't always work. The helm unit needs to be matched up to the cylinders. If the helm isnt right the amount turns it takes from lock to lock won't be the same.
You will need 80 feet of #6 hose and roughly 18 fittings just for the hydraulics on the inside of the boat. The hoses on the outsideof the boat need to be stainless or they will rust in the water. You can check at the parker store for pricing.
Good Luck.

everything i got is all latham... helm assembly is already covered, good friend has several spares from past projects for both single and dual ram. through hull fittings and the fitting for the pump is covered also, all i have is hoses and if i decide to run a filter and resivoire. if althe latham parts dont work together then i will simply sell what doesnt work and buy the parts i need.