CJ7 hydro assist

[Toad]

I am thinking about hydro assist on my jeep. I have a stock box that has been drilled and tapped for the hoses. I have been looking at PSC for a steering ram and hoses. Will the stock pump work with a hydro assist system? Anything I should know? I have never done this.

 

[UFAB]

Use a 1.5 body ram. It will be faster


TG sells a hydro kit with hoses around 230.

You want the 8" travel ram for Spicer axles.

 

[Toad]

Just looked at trail gear they only show a 2.0 body with 8" travel. Psc sells a 6" ram with there dana 30 kit. How do I know for sure which one to get?

 

[Gravy]

You can have any local house shop build you hoses for less than trail gear and you'll be sure the ends are correct. Avoid hard 90° bend fittings.

The stock cast knuckle steering arms on a cj7 d30 require 8" of travel because the knuckles are the same as a d44. (longer than the unit bearing d30 steer arms).

Surplus supply sells 8" 1.5" rams for around $100.

 

[neagtea]

Pull the high pressure outlet on the pump and drill to 5/32nd's

 

[Toad]

Pull the high pressure outlet on the pump and drill to 5/32nd's

What do you mean?

 

[neagtea]

On the back of the pump where the high pressure line goes in take out the 1 1/16 wrench size outlet fitting and drill it out for more flow. The pump needs to be off of the engine.
I can text a pic of what I am talking about.
X2 on what Ufab said Also the smaller ram will work better
The 2" Ram makes the steering a little lazy although it has more powerthan the 1.5"

 

[UNSTUCK]

Turn your wheel full lock one way then make a mark on the tie rod, then make a mark on the axle so the two marks line up. Then turn the wheels full lock the other way and make another mark on the axle which lines up with the mark on the tie rod. Now measure the distance between you two marks on the axle. This is the length of stroke you need. More then likely it is 7.?? inches. If that is the case then you need the 8" stroke and then I would build a stop to put inside the cylinder. Without the stop you risk breaking a knuckle when you try to steer at full lock one way or the other.

 

[STAG]

Avoid hard 90° bend fittings.

I'll bite, what's the reasoning behind such?

 

[Gravy]

I'll bite, what's the reasoning behind such?

restricts flow. Think of fluid dynamics like traffic: sharp corners vs. long radius curves.
Sharp corners create heat, turbulence, and can cause cavitation.

I took fluid dynamics at the "U" but this is a good primer that explains the concepts in relation to our hobby.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Plumbing/