Mounting external steering cylinders
 

I've seen pics where they are mounted well above the hinge pins and the owners say there's no issues with trimming the drives up to the trailer position.

I'm currently in the process of installing ext steering and if I set the pistons to their mid point, the center of the mounting brackets wind up abt 2" above the gimble ring hinge pin center line due to the tabs.

I've seen on the IMCO site where they recommend the mounting plates to be installed even with or up to 1.5" higher than the center line of the gimble ring swivel pins.

In theory this seems like it will be an issue, but what about real world experiences?

Mount as close center of the pivot point as possible. I bent one rod when trimming the drives. I had good luck for years if I kept moving the steering left to right while trimming when engines were off. My failure was when this procedure was not followed. I lowered my rams to center. I never wanted to admit this, but if someone else can learn from it then it was worth it.

How much above/below center line were your mounts?

I would've had the same issue as I only have 12" between my gimble and tabs...

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...pszlnkhjjy.jpg


I just picked up some shorter Latham cylinders.. 7" stroke...


Shameless plug, I got two sets so will have a set available for sale very soon ;)

Doug

Hey neighbor, what's the stroke for the other set of cylinders you have?!?

1.5-2" I believe. I mounted them where my old Drew Marine stabilizers were. I was not thinking when I mounted my rams. Totally my fault I did not even think about it.

They're the same..
Was told they are 7" stroke. 15" eye to eye closed. 22" open. I just got 'em the other day and have not put a tape measure on them myself... Haven't gotten any pictures yet. They do need to be cleaned up some...


Gonna be a FUN. summer .. The lake is FULL !! :)


https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...82&oe=57856E24


https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...fb&oe=5784FDA6

They don't need to be mounted very far out. This is mine:
http://i763.photobucket.com/albums/x...s089Medium.jpg

These cyls came off a 35 Fountain so I assumed they would fit. I'm tempted to mount them and see how much the toe in/out changes while trimming them. The extra length of the cyls should help minimize the effects of being off center.
If I can get thru the season it will give me time to find a good deal on some longer cyls.

Where your mounts above or below the center line?
The IMCO site says up to 1.5" above but does not mention being below center line.

I took some better measurements today and I'm right at 1.5" ABOVE center line.
I've search the net for a couple of days but haven't found any tolerances other than what I found on the IMCO site.