hydro assist

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redneckrapunzel
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Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2014 10:48 am

hydro assist

Post by redneckrapunzel »

Alright after getting a really good arm workout this weekend steering my jeep around im going to get some hydro assist. i believe i should be able to run my factory pump and may need a smaller box but im not for sure. I have looked into it a bit and just really need to find a way to match my box to a certain cylinder. My worry is with the wrong cylinder i will damage my steering box because it will either push faster or slower than the box causing for it to load up and damage the box somehow. However i dont know if this is even a real issue because the cylinder might only push hard once the steering is bound up and just float the rest of the time because the pump wont build enough pressure in the cylinder until motion is being resisted. So basically is this all nonsense and i should just get a random cylinder that i have sized to have the right amount of force and not worry about the motion?
1997 TJ
04 superduty
10 civic #nolifelikethelowlife

"If you'd stop flirting with the :sheila: and worked, you'd be almost done." - alec

^ very true ^
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Mr.WJ
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Re: hydro assist

Post by Mr.WJ »

This is all you

http://www.virtualjeepclub.com/showthre ... dro-Assist

I was concerned about the metal getting into the box from tapping... read this, "I've done 2 of these and the second time I magnetized the tap and cleaned it out as I went. I did not take the box apart. then ran some oil through it to ,make sure it was clean. 5 years and no issues"
- 04 WJ Overland 4.7 HO, Bilstein 4600s, Tuned, 242HD Swap, 31" A/T's for cool kids
- 04 WJ Laredo 4.0, 3" OME HD Lift, Bilstein 5100s, JKS TB, IRO LCA's UCA's
- 05 LJ Rubicon 4.0, 3" OME HD Lift, Bilstein 5100's, JKS TB, Bumpers, Warn 9500ix, on 33 MTRs :cool:
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Username
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Re: hydro assist

Post by Username »

Not an issue, lots of people tapping the stock box, same ports controlling the box's and ram's assist. The cylinder diameter depends on what kind of driving you want to do. A larger diameter will be slower to react but provide more force. On/off road I'd look into 1.5 to 1.75". Off road only 1.75" to 2". Upgrading the power steering pump flow rate will also make the steering react faster. There are low buck methods of doing this also.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/p ... ering.html

I use a 1.75" ram on my setup, never needed more steering force, and it reacts almost as fast as I can turn the wheel.

Matching the stroke of the ram to the steering's travel is the most critical part. And use a good power steering cooler.
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redneckrapunzel
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Re: hydro assist

Post by redneckrapunzel »

Yea ive seen both of those links thanks guys! I think ive figured that it wont cause any damage because the pump cant build enough pressure in the ram to push hard enough on the box. I am planning to take my box apart to tap it not worth the risk i dont think.

Username are you still using the stock pump and box in your rig? im slightly worried with a 1.75 it will be a little to slow because i still drive around town a little. on the other hand im worried that if i use a 1.5 ill not have enough force and regret it later. My pump pushes 2.4-2.8 gpm at 1350 psi so i think i should have plenty of flow for now. Also for the length of the ram would you rather have the ram shorter or longer? i feel like shorter so that the ram never pushes against the steering box stops or knuckle stops.
1997 TJ
04 superduty
10 civic #nolifelikethelowlife

"If you'd stop flirting with the :sheila: and worked, you'd be almost done." - alec

^ very true ^
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Username
Posts: 172
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:59 am
Location: passed out on the couch

Re: hydro assist

Post by Username »

PSC box and pump. Ideally the stroke of the ram will be fully extended at one steering stop and fully compressed at the other. Bad things will happen if the stroke is longer.
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CJonLP
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Re: hydro assist

Post by CJonLP »

Username wrote:Ideally the stroke of the ram will be fully extended at one steering stop and fully compressed at the other. Bad things will happen if the stroke is longer.
This is truth!
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redneckrapunzel
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Re: hydro assist

Post by redneckrapunzel »

Yea i am just doubting that i will be able to get a perfect set up. I am planning on running a supply center ram and they only offer 4",6", or 8" rams so im assuming that it will be slightly off. And planed to go short if needed just making sure my train of thought was correct.
1997 TJ
04 superduty
10 civic #nolifelikethelowlife

"If you'd stop flirting with the :sheila: and worked, you'd be almost done." - alec

^ very true ^
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BadAssEddie
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Re: hydro assist

Post by BadAssEddie »

Which length travel is closest to your tierod travel currently, 8"? Is there enough adjustability in your steering stops to set the stops to just before each end of travel of the shaft?

How are you going to fix the steering angle issue? Is it driver that steers less than passenger?
1969 Cadillac Deville 7.7 Big Block
1978 Ford F-150 6.4 FE
1993 Ford Bronco 5.8 Windsor
1994 Ford F-250 7.3 Powerstroke
2016 Ford F-250 6.7 Powerstroke
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redneckrapunzel
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Re: hydro assist

Post by redneckrapunzel »

;I dont have any adjustable steering stops, also i think the issue is fixed cause i shorted my tierod before windrock to get eqaul steering im not sure what was goin on the trail i still have to look into it because when my jeep is in 2 wheel drive its fine i have 1.5 turns each way but in 4wd it feels like it goes to 1 turn left and 2 turns right
1997 TJ
04 superduty
10 civic #nolifelikethelowlife

"If you'd stop flirting with the :sheila: and worked, you'd be almost done." - alec

^ very true ^
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BadAssEddie
Posts: 2635
Joined: Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:12 pm
Location: The Woods

Re: hydro assist

Post by BadAssEddie »

redneckrapunzel wrote:;I dont have any adjustable steering stops, also i think the issue is fixed cause i shorted my tierod before windrock to get eqaul steering im not sure what was goin on the trail i still have to look into it because when my jeep is in 2 wheel drive its fine i have 1.5 turns each way but in 4wd it feels like it goes to 1 turn left and 2 turns right
Did the knuckles never have them?
1969 Cadillac Deville 7.7 Big Block
1978 Ford F-150 6.4 FE
1993 Ford Bronco 5.8 Windsor
1994 Ford F-250 7.3 Powerstroke
2016 Ford F-250 6.7 Powerstroke
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