Single ended ram mounting:

I would like to mount my PSC ram with the fixed end atop the axle tube and the ram end atop the tie rod. This would keep it protected from rocks. The problem is the angle that it puts it at in relation to the TR. I realize the closer to parallel the better, but what is an accepted angle? Mounting it on front of the axle tube, and the backside of the TR would make it almost parallel, but the scratches on my tie rod mean the ram will get taken out eventually.

The heims on each end of the ram need to be in the same plane right?

Does the ram end of the ram need to mount in the center of the tie rod?

The axle is a balljoint 60 with the tie rod at about the axle tube center line. No high steer, just crossover. The distance between the tie rod and axle is 8" and the ram, heim hole to heim hole, fully 'collapsed' is 17".

Advice?