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AGR Rock Ram

By Mike "TXJEEPER" Cohn

and Jake Koetting


Discuss This Article

AGR Rock Ram
Even when we had 33" tires on the Project TJ, steering wasn't always an easy task. (click)

AGR Rock Ram
The Rock Ram system is a complete conversion, including a new pump and gear box.

Oh! The whining! The bump steer! The lack of power! These are just a few of the common cries of four-wheelers everywhere. As we all know, making even minor changes to our rigs seems to cause a chain reaction. One of the most common things we do, of course, is throw on big ol' tires. Naturally, the reaction to this is that we typically re-gear our rigs so our drivetrains can handle the extra beef. Problem solved! Or is it?

One of the most overlooked upgrades that can be done is improving your steering components. You've got those big wheels turnin' forward, but what about side to side? OEM steering components are designed to work with stock-size or slightly larger wheels. In a TJ, for example, the largest tire size offered by Jeep is a 30-incher. It would be safe to say that it should not have a problem with a 31" tire, but what happens when you put on 35's? OK, now what about 38's? 44's???

That's right, you start putting those larger tires on your rig and your steering components are going to let you know how unhappy they are. They'll begin working overtime, and just like you do, they'll get hot. If they start getting too hot, they'll start whining (again, just like you). Once they're over the edge, they'll start puking their fluids out and it's game-over.

Not long ago, I was taking the Project TJ up "Hell Hill" on one of our local trails. It's a long crevice that climbs a couple hundred feet up a hill. In most rigs, it is impossible to ride the V, so you spend almost the entire trip up the hill practically on your side while you seesaw the wheel from one crevice wall to the other. Talk about a workout for your steering system! The power steering pump doesn't get a break the whole way up. On this last occasion the whining of the pump began about halfway up and there was no going back. I had to continue, hoping the pump wouldn't give out on me. Upon reaching the top, I bullied the Jeep to level ground and popped the hood. Sure enough, about half of my steering fluid was gone.

What to do? What to do?
For the last couple years, I figured that when my steering finally pooped out, I'd call AGR Steering, of Fort Worth, Texas. I I had met Matt Burkett from AGR a few years ago and both my conversations with him and AGR's reputation convinced me it was worth looking into when it was time. And it was now time.

After discussing my steering problems, which also included too much play on the road and bump steer, AGR's Jeff Allen told me that AGR was working on a new Rock Ram setup for TJ's and that they could use some help prototyping it. Always interested in being a guinea pig, I was curious to know the scoop. Basically, the setup is a compete power steering package, which includes a new power steering pump, steering gear box, and AGR's new Rock Ram.

The system they wanted me to help out with is their new TJ setup, which uses their standard replacement-sized steering gear box and pump and their new Rock Ram. What AGR was trying to figure out, was how to get the Rock Ram itself to mount up on a TJ and whether or not this system would work. In addition, this particular setup would not use their larger steering components. They wanted to know if using the stock-sized setup would do the trick.

Let the Games Begin! --->>>

 

RESOURCES
AGR Steering
www.agrsteering.com
4920 Rondo Dr.
Fort Worth, TX 76106
Phone: 817-626-9006 | 800-662-3649
Email: info@agrsteering.com
XTV Engineering
www.xtvengineering.com
2630 4th Avenue South
Birmingham, AL 35233
Phone: 205-251-5318
Email: rokwizard4@aol.com
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