Hydro EVERYTHING...

[Speed-J]

I have a question. I just reviewed the thread in the tech how-to section on tapping a YJ box for homebrew hydro assist, and then followed a link from there on how to get more power out of a stock PS box. This is all well and good, and I'll be looking into doing this mod when money permits.

I also wish to swap my brake system over to a hydroboost system. Now, Ive seen guys buy a high pressure PS pump and run both systems off of a single pump all plumbed together. I'd do this if i have to but am looking for other options.

A fully modded out stock pump may be able to handle the load, but I would be worried about blowing it up. I had heard of guys running dual stock pumps, one for the steering and one for the brakes, but have seen little about this in terms of write ups or reviews.

Is this a dumb idea? or would running dual stock PS pumps on a 4.0 block work/be worth it. Any advice you guys have on this would be great. Thanks!

 

[reddman]

I have setup a couple isolated dual pump systems like you're talking about. The reason we went that route is that you always run the pressure line from the pump to the hydroboost first, since brakes are the most important system on any vehicle, and then to the steering. This gives your brakes "priority" over steering. If you are on the brakes, there is less pressure available to the steering setup, no matter how bad-a your pump is.

There was an improvement with the dual pumps, and I believe it was worth it, but hydro assist is pretty much always a little "slow" when you are really trying to turn the wheel fast, so don't expect it to bring it back to stock steering speed. It's one of those things that may not be a big issue most of the time, only during emergency manuvering, where you're on the brakes and steering hard at the same time, which is a pretty crappy time to find out how much it can limit available steering power.

 

[Chevycrew]

I run a 2" x 8" hydro assist ram and hydroboost with my factory saginaw pump.

I have some mods to my steering system for flow and pressure but it works great.

 

[Panos]

i am sure it CAN be done... but i dont know that seems sketchy to me. if it where me i wouldnt want to "loose" my brakes and steering if a line blew or a pump went out.

 

[Speed-J]

This is what I am worried about. Thats why Id like to mount dual pumps running independent of one another. One on a closed loop for steering, one on a closed loop for brakes.

Not sure if I got that idea across in my original post, or if it just seemed like I wanted to run them inline.

 

[Chevycrew]

You still have manual steering and manual brakes if the pump fails. But a double pump setup would be nice.

 

[Panos]

You still have manual steering and manual brakes if the pump fails. But a double pump setup would be nice.

true...but would be scary as hell on a steep climb.

i think two pumps two reservoirs would work good

 

[Tacoma]

You don't have very GOOD brakes or steering when the pump fails. I lost mine in the work truck and it reeeeeeeaaaaalllly sucked. Reman pump broke some vanes off for some reason.

It's funny that this question came up, as I was just out looking at the extra spot on my serpentine setup, wondering if another pump would fit there, and for the same reason.

 

[Speed-J]

Okay. well I was thinking about this all day today while I was bored as hell in class. I think Im going to attempt a double stock pump double res setup. Wont be for a while, as I dont have any money at the moment. (Just picked up a set of 38s and a 231/300 doubler... eek.) but planning ahead never hurt. Tomorrow if I get some time I think I'll look into what kinda mounting space I have to work with.

Any ideas on a 4.0 with AC? haha.

 

[H-K]

Just a curious noob question, but are there larger, heavy-duty pumps that could be used in place of two separate ones?

P.S. if you're going "full hydro", maybe you should do a hydraulic winch as well...

 

[Tacoma]

There are plenty of larger pumps off medium-duty stuff, but as far as I have been able to find so far, they are higher PSI as well. I suppose that could be worked on.. but they're REALLY BIG PUMPS too.

 

[Speed-J]

Yeah, I havent seen much on swapping in a larger pump from a bigger truck that would work, hence why Im looking into running the stock jeep pumps. Im not one for working with numbers and psi and all that crap anyway. Id rather have something that just bolts in so to speak, rather than have to deal with regulating pressures.

and as for a hydro winch... id do it if i didnt have an electric one handy hahaha