Agree! I installed red neck ram with psc pump and reservoir, turned slow at idle, finally pulled the ram off, kept the pump and res. Works great. 74 bronco with 39.5” boggers. Might try a psc ram someday.
Thanks for breaking this down. I just finished installing a PSC pump kit and XD box. On my LJ. I got the ported box for the option to add the ram in the future. After driving it last night I realize going hydro would be pointless. Also realized a couple leaky fittings 😂 My fault. But I’d imagine more lines and components would also mean a greater chance for leaks so I’ll definitely pass on the ram. The Jeep still drives like a normal vehicle and I’d like to keep it that way.
Good video. I have broken a lot of steering parts. I like hydro assist because it will still (slowly) steer you back to your trailer if you break a sector shaft, drag link mount , or tear your box off from the frame. I don’t run PSC. On our Jk we run Howe steering power assist system. After your build you send him your lock to lock marked on your box, and he installs internal stops in your steering gear box. I run this on a modified stock box without issue. The assist ram takes some of the pressure off the box. I still run a sector shaft brace. Good luck
I had no idea what hydro assist was so u typed it in UA-cam, watch this video (and this video only) and I'm now fully informed. What a great video, thanks 👍
So, I’m not hearing you call out how adding a ram removes a lot of the shock load to the pitman arm…. Which- sector shaft breaks sucks…. So, while I understand your argument to “need”, maybe a different perspective… Full big bore kit on our jk ran $2,700. Worth the money in my opinion. Install took around 4-5 beers/3 hours total.
There is a much better option, for JL, you will get great feedback in steering, no more slop and wondering side to side on freeway, you’ll get one finger steering, and much more powerful on the trail when binder against obstacles. This option is (for JL), could work for Jk but I don’t know for sure because I’ve only done this on the JL: Get the psc steering box (big bore or not doesn’t matter), get the front mount steering cooler, get the apex adjustable psi steering pump upgrade. Adjust the psi to 1600-1800 psi. That’s it, no need for the hydro ram. This system is awesome, it will make your steering super light, you can u turn with one finger with 40” tires and this system will get rid of the steering slop we have in the JLs and the side to side swerving will be eliminated. I feel this is better than hydro assist because it gives you all the same exact benefits of hydro assist system, but without the slower reaction of the ram. With this system, your steering reaction will be just like stock and any sudden maneuver will result in instant steering reaction just like stock but you get the lighter steering feel due to the more powerful psi input into the system. all the negative issues we have with a stock JL steering box will be eliminated along with the negative things hydro assist also comes with, you won’t have.
I was fully locked trying to go up a ledge and my spotter wanted me to make micro adjustments. JLUR on 38s couldn't turn for shit had to reverse to make adjustments. I bought an Apex power steering boost kit and I tested it out fully locked flexing in a rock and it turns 38s like nothing. I hope it works as well on that ledge when I try again. One of my buddies has an XJ on 37s full hydro and he said driving on the HW is scary as hell.
Yes the apex does great with giving you the power you need to steer bigger tires and when bounded in the rocks. What it doesn’t fix is the steering slop on a JL. The best system I’ve found, better than a hydro assist ram system, is the apex upgrade on the steering pump, then put in the psc steering box and the cooler. Adjust the apex screw on the pump to about 1600- 1800 psi, and now you got the power from the higher psi, you eliminated the slop on the stock steering box by going with the better psc steering box, and you have all the good things people wanted from a hydro assist system, but not the negatives. This system responds and reacts same as a stock system but drives better than the stock system by eliminating the slop in the steering wheel and the side to side wandering of the truck on the freeway. I really like this set up. it’s the best system for a JL, in my opinion. I wouldn’t call it perfect, as it’ll never feel like an IFS rack and pinion, but for a lifted JL with big tires, I don’t think there’s anything better than this set up.
@00ninja00 I swapped the aluminum steering box for the steel one, and I can tell it is way better. What is the cost of a PSC box and cooler? You can't just use the apex cooler?
@@ghernandez6457 if you have the apex cooler it’s good. I meant it for someone buying from scratch to buy the psc cooler because it is front mounted not under mount like the apex. But if you got it already just use that, the psc steering box was $1400, but idk about right now.
Agree! I installed red neck ram with psc pump and reservoir, turned slow at idle, finally pulled the ram off, kept the pump and res. Works great. 74 bronco with 39.5” boggers. Might try a psc ram someday.
Thanks for breaking this down. I just finished installing a PSC pump kit and XD box. On my LJ. I got the ported box for the option to add the ram in the future. After driving it last night I realize going hydro would be pointless. Also realized a couple leaky fittings 😂 My fault. But I’d imagine more lines and components would also mean a greater chance for leaks so I’ll definitely pass on the ram. The Jeep still drives like a normal vehicle and I’d like to keep it that way.
Good video. I have broken a lot of steering parts. I like hydro assist because it will still (slowly) steer you back to your trailer if you break a sector shaft, drag link mount , or tear your box off from the frame. I don’t run PSC. On our Jk we run Howe steering power assist system. After your build you send him your lock to lock marked on your box, and he installs internal stops in your steering gear box. I run this on a modified stock box without issue. The assist ram takes some of the pressure off the box. I still run a sector shaft brace.
Good luck
I had no idea what hydro assist was so u typed it in UA-cam, watch this video (and this video only) and I'm now fully informed. What a great video, thanks 👍
Great video, easy and thorough explanation. Definitely gonna need hydro assist for my Yj project.
Glad I could help!
So, I’m not hearing you call out how adding a ram removes a lot of the shock load to the pitman arm…. Which- sector shaft breaks sucks…. So, while I understand your argument to “need”, maybe a different perspective…
Full big bore kit on our jk ran $2,700. Worth the money in my opinion. Install took around 4-5 beers/3 hours total.
Good information, thank you
There is a much better option, for JL, you will get great feedback in steering, no more slop and wondering side to side on freeway, you’ll get one finger steering, and much more powerful on the trail when binder against obstacles.
This option is (for JL), could work for Jk but I don’t know for sure because I’ve only done this on the JL:
Get the psc steering box (big bore or not doesn’t matter), get the front mount steering cooler, get the apex adjustable psi steering pump upgrade. Adjust the psi to 1600-1800 psi. That’s it, no need for the hydro ram. This system is awesome, it will make your steering super light, you can u turn with one finger with 40” tires and this system will get rid of the steering slop we have in the JLs and the side to side swerving will be eliminated. I feel this is better than hydro assist because it gives you all the same exact benefits of hydro assist system, but without the slower reaction of the ram. With this system, your steering reaction will be just like stock and any sudden maneuver will result in instant steering reaction just like stock but you get the lighter steering feel due to the more powerful psi input into the system. all the negative issues we have with a stock JL steering box will be eliminated along with the negative things hydro assist also comes with, you won’t have.
Keep your videos coming. I like your jk. I have exact same one (white 2dr).
Thanks! I'll try to keep the gaps smaller than 9 months from here on out lol
@@SoFloJeeping your jeep is basically done so I’m sure it makes it harder to come up with new content
Wish I would have seen this earlier
Thank you for the great explanation and posting this video
Great video I’m curious what offset rim you running as in back spacing ? It’s not super wide witch I like but not super short as in track width
4.75" backspace wheels on a super duty 60
Great information. I don't need it. Thanks.
Well, I guess there goes my autocross membership with my F350 after I add the hydro assist.
What exhaust are you running?
100% agree!
I was fully locked trying to go up a ledge and my spotter wanted me to make micro adjustments. JLUR on 38s couldn't turn for shit had to reverse to make adjustments. I bought an Apex power steering boost kit and I tested it out fully locked flexing in a rock and it turns 38s like nothing. I hope it works as well on that ledge when I try again. One of my buddies has an XJ on 37s full hydro and he said driving on the HW is scary as hell.
Yes the apex does great with giving you the power you need to steer bigger tires and when bounded in the rocks. What it doesn’t fix is the steering slop on a JL. The best system I’ve found, better than a hydro assist ram system, is the apex upgrade on the steering pump, then put in the psc steering box and the cooler. Adjust the apex screw on the pump to about 1600- 1800 psi, and now you got the power from the higher psi, you eliminated the slop on the stock steering box by going with the better psc steering box, and you have all the good things people wanted from a hydro assist system, but not the negatives. This system responds and reacts same as a stock system but drives better than the stock system by eliminating the slop in the steering wheel and the side to side wandering of the truck on the freeway.
I really like this set up. it’s the best system for a JL, in my opinion. I wouldn’t call it perfect, as it’ll never feel like an IFS rack and pinion, but for a lifted JL with big tires, I don’t think there’s anything better than this set up.
@00ninja00 I swapped the aluminum steering box for the steel one, and I can tell it is way better. What is the cost of a PSC box and cooler? You can't just use the apex cooler?
@@ghernandez6457 if you have the apex cooler it’s good. I meant it for someone buying from scratch to buy the psc cooler because it is front mounted not under mount like the apex. But if you got it already just use that, the psc steering box was $1400, but idk about right now.