You really shouldnt cycle steering at a dead stop unless you are on snow/ice/gravel or another giving surface. The stress is extremely rough on all parts involved.

If you're cycling the system for filling, put a couple layers of garbage bags under the tires.

 

Learn something new everyday.

 

ok, gonna look into the lee's setup, tight maneuvering with the trailer is becoming a pain

 

How was the install of the Blue Top, better than RedHead?

 

The same.
I pretty much used videos on YouTube, a Hanes shop manual, Ex Tech Folder and a couple calls to Ryan at Blue Top. Ryan was very patient and helpful.
It’s a messy job. Blue shop towels and old dish rags were my best friend during this install. My shop still smells like ATF.
I borrowed the pitman arm puller from Autozone. Had to return the first one because it was too small. Impact gun was extremely helpful in getting it off and then back on. Dawn dish washing soap and a wire brush was used to clean up the pitman arm before reattaching. I waited to torque the pitman arm until it was installed because I couldn’t keep the the box still enough to put a a good pull on the wrench. Didn’t want to vice it down because I was afraid of cracking the box. 199 psi is a lot. Also, used blue Loctite.
I made sure the three main bolts through the frame we’re cleaned/prepped with a wire wheel, dry rag and blue Loctite.
Multiple Q-Tips soaked, but not dripping, with WD-40 we’re used to clean the threads of the fluid line inlets in the box.
I cleaned the line connectors with a small wire brush, WD-40 and multiple rags. This was important because I found the remains of the previous o-rings still attached. I had to use a sharp knife blade to get under the small rubber band, which was all that was left, and cut it off.
I like the V shaped Buna N-70 o-rings and that’s what Ryan suggested. Just make sure the pointy part is pointed forward, toward the box when installing.
Good luck.
Hope this helps.

 

I am in the same situation and need a new box. I have a 2000 Ex, 6.8V10, 6 inch lift on 38x15.50 tires and 160K miles, gives me much dead steering and the inability to steer at rest, and much sounds when using 4WD offroad. I too am considering the options and there is some confusion on the PSC boxes. They say for the 7.3L Excursions but don't say they are for the 6.8 V10. Does anyone know if there is a difference in these? Will the PSC boxes, listed for the 7.3L work on the V10 Excursions? I tried contacting PSC three times with no responses....

If its a no go, then ill look into a Blue Top with PSC assist..

Examples:
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/all-p...ering-kit.html
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/motor...2FwXZlJ90YYX8I

 

looks to me like it is for a 7.3 because it includes the factory lines for the hydroboost. Reroute your pressure line from the hydroboost to the box and uou are good.

 

Thank you Pirate4x4! This is perfect and looks like an easy modification!

 

I am thinking about the following three options for my v10 Excursion. What do you think best in regards to performance and value?

1.) Blue Top Steering Gear and PSC 1.75 X 8.0 Assist Cylinder with perhaps a fluid cooler on hose 5 (return hose), using the stock pump on the Excursion. (about $900 in parts)
https://bluetopsteeringgears-com.3dc...ctor_p_29.html

2.) PSC Steering Gear and PSC 1.75 X 8.0 Assist Cylinder with perhaps a fluid cooler on hose 5 (return hose), using the stock pump on the Excursion. (about $1400 in parts)
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/4-99-...ist-21216.html

3.) Full PSC Kit which includes the Gear, Assist Cylinder, Cooler and also PSC pump and reservoir (about $2400 in parts).
Will this PSC pump fit the V10 or are the mountings and fitment too different between the 6.8 and 7.3 engines? Perhaps this pump is overkill?
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/all-p...ering-kit.html

 

Any thoughts on this? I could really use some advice.

My concerns are:
Is a reservoir really needed for the bluetop and the PSC Assist?
Can the PSC gear and PSC assist work with the stock pump and no reservior?
Will the PSC full kit work on the v10 in regards to pump mounting?

 

Interested in the answers to those questions as well but from what I have seen they aren't any as of yet.

 

i cant answer your performance to value equation because you have not given any indication of your needs or operating parameters.

best value is stock everything if you are typical street driving on stockish size tires.

Want to haul *** in the desert or go wheeling with 40s ?that is different,

tell us what you are wanting and i can comment further.

 

reservoir is needed and used even in a stock system.

no

yes but will obviously need a mount for the v10 not a 7.3

 

In regards to is this pump overkill.

The trick is getting the psi and gph to match the systems needs which will depend on how much power you need and how fast you want to cycle the steering.

psc can fine tune the pump to your requirements but the fact this is in a kit tells me it is just a good all around compromise suited to the type of build done by most folk who buy kits would build. So no, Not likely to be “overkill”

 

HI Pirate4x4. I posted up a bit in the responses above but will re-post here with more info. Thank you for your responses!

I have a 2000 Excursion, 6.8V10, 6 inch lift on 38x15.50 MT tires and 160K miles. I have much dead zone steering and wandering on roads and difficulty to steer at rest, especially when aired down. The pump whines quite a bit when using 4WD off-road.
I use my rig for over-landing and off-roading, but not for seroius rock crawling. I do air down to 10psi to run on snow and sand and moderate trails. Also, air up for long road trips to Moab to drive on trails like "Fins and Things".
Hope this helps. I assume the full PSC will be the best option, but just checking if there is a reasonable performaning middle option as well. Thanks!