Yes it's a Saginaw which was used through 2004. Ram assist is used on TJs when running big tires that can get nearly impossible to turn on some types of terrain, especially high traction big rocks like I favored. Many times I struggled hard to turn left or right and always wished I had installed ram assist.
I guess that might make some sense. I'm not a steering expert by any stretch, I just know on the 73 Vette it had ram assist, which had all been previously replaced prior to buying it, started leaking fluid badly because the valve went out. Everyone said replace with the non-ram assist Borgeson setup and eliminate the Ram and valve, which required a different gear box, collapsing the column, but same reservoir. It was truly night/day difference in cornering and driving. Gone was the play in the wheel and it corners like a go-cart IMO. Now, I get a Jeep wouldn't want to corner like that, but in my head it would seem another item to smack on a rock. Maybe not, I'm sure you can address that or live with the risk. In my old 78 CJ with 33's, I never had any issues, but never took it on any sizeable rocks and such. Being in the midwest, it was mainly riverbeds, mud pits and the such!
This TJ is my teen daughters daily driver and so far it isn't lifted or oversized tires, but who knows when/if that day will come, so when I replace parts, I figure if the part should be 'beefed up', might as well do it now. Obviously cost comes into play. I bought it with the understanding she is involved in school, gets the grades, keeps head on straight and some day I'll sign it over, but she shouldn't sell it!
Some day, I might have to buy one for myself, but first I have an old 77 Jeep DJ5, right hand drive that I plan to Rat Rod Out. I'll have to rebuild all the steering for that one as well, so trying to learn the pros/cons of different setups.
