Pics of my hydro assist

[Blake]

PSC 1.5" X 8" steering ram, reman NAPA J20 power steering pump. Reman Autozone J20 steering gear.

I drilled the steering gear with a 7/16" drill bit on my press. Then tapped it to 1/4" NPT 18 TPI

Put some heater hose on the end of my steering pump reservoir, then used the neck from another reservoir. Extended the capacity of the reservoir and does not leak. I plan to get a PSC reservoir soon.

Installed a new Advance Auto power steering cooler.

This was my very first time to ever tap threads or mess with hydro assist steering.

Jeep drives great after the install.

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00513-20100729-1910-800.jpg



http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00514-20100729-1926-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00516-20100729-1942-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00517-20100729-2051-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00528-20100801-1709-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00527-20100801-1709-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00531-20100801-1710-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00529-20100801-1709-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00530-20100801-1710-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00532-20100801-1710-800.jpg

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00535-20100801-1711-800.jpg

[Blake]

And another

http://blakeoffroad.com/vps/Attachments/IMG00538-20100801-2038-800.jpg

[srobertsfsj]

Very cool Blake. Hope to see your rig in action someday. :thumbsup:

[JeepsAndGuns]

How did you keep the metal shavings out of the ports/passages in the steering box?

[The Colonel]

How did you keep the metal shavings out of the ports/passages in the steering box?

Good question, the proper way would be to completely dissemble the steering gear. I hope he at least installed a PS filter.

[Blake]

How did you keep the metal shavings out of the ports/passages in the steering box?

I didn't.

I used a magnet to fish out all the shavings I could. Then changed the oil almost immediately, then returned my napa steering pump back to napa since it was leaking (pre-existing leak).

I think that by the mere fact that I cycled through so much oil, the system is clean. I want a filter though. Saw some in-line ones at napa...

Took it wheeling up at LeftHand Canyon this afternoon. MAN! What a difference the hydro assist makes! It's much better on both the trail and the hwy. :fsj:

[Snowbird_Hunter]

How did you keep the metal shavings out of the ports/passages in the steering box?
My dad used to pack the flutes of the bit or tap with some axle grease when he wanted to keep the chips out of whatever he was working on. Probably not perfect, but seemed to do a darn good job.

[JeepsAndGuns]

My dad used to pack the flutes of the bit or tap with some axle grease when he wanted to keep the chips out of whatever he was working on. Probably not perfect, but seemed to do a darn good job.

Yes I have seen this used on both drill bits and taps. Not the best, but it does help.

I'm probably too OCD about stuff like that and would probably end up taking the gearbox apart...lol

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

Whered you get the hoses?

[Blake]

Whered you get the hoses?
they came with the PSC steering kit. Hose fittings too. Only thing I had to buy was the 1/4" NPT fitting that screws into the steering box. Got those at napa.

[mason46]

Hey those are really nice to see.You have done a good job.I think i can also do it on my jeep.

[68J2000]

Hey, I was really interested in your build and saw it a while ago, your pics currently do not work though, is there anyway you could repost or email them to me?
Thank you
-Nick

[Blake]

Hey, I was really interested in your build and saw it a while ago, your pics currently do not work though, is there anyway you could repost or email them to me?
Thank you
-Nick


I've been on a 2 week wheeling expedition to Ouray in my LX450 and let my domain expire. I've renewed it (thought it was on autorenew), so the pics should start working very soon.

I've been meaning to get on here and post some pics of my new flatbed that I built for the truggy. I've decided that I'm a glutton for punishment (and mechanical failure) and have decided to take the J10 (yes the one on 42's) on a 2500 mile expedition. I'm hitting 4 ORV parks and several states next month. Judging from what I've read online, other states require the use of fender, which my truggy didn't have. :fsj:

[Chief Gunner]

How much was the reman steering pump and steering gear? I never thought about getting a reman system like that.

[Blake]

I think the pump was like $70 and the reman gear was like $150.

I always compare prices/brands online

http://www.napaonline.com/Default.aspx

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com

http://www.google.com

The domain is registrered and backonline. If you cannot see the pics, either wait a bit, or reboot, or flush your dns cache.

[cajun_lad]

Careful about buying reman'd j20 boxes. Alot of the McParts stores are shelving the standard wag/chero/j10 boxes as j20's. Make sure you are getting the bigger box. Put 'em side-by-side and compare. You'll know if its truly a j20 box.

[srobertsfsj]

Careful about buying reman'd j20 boxes. Alot of the McParts stores are shelving the standard wag/chero/j10 boxes as j20's. Make sure you are getting the bigger box. Put 'em side-by-side and compare. You'll know if its truly a j20 box.

I do know Autozone lists the J20 box as a different PN then waggy/chero which I bought and it was a bigger box. The others do not list them as separate parts, its the same box.

[zachandandy]

I built my ram assist for less than $150 and have to say it is the best upgrade have done. I used a 2"x8" ram from tractor supply along with hoses and fittings. I can't see why anyone who wheels at all doesn't run ram assist. I don't think the steering gear size matters with ram assist much, being the ram does most of the work.

[Blake]

I can't see why anyone who wheels at all doesn't run ram assist.

I very much agree.

I will never run another rig without hydro assist. It runs really well on the hwy, as well as the trails.