hydro assist question
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 78
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From: oklahoma
hydro assist question
looking to add hydro assist to my bronco with ford box. iv heard that you have to have a saginaw box cuz a ford box wont flow enough. im just wonderen if itll work with a 1 1/2" ram instead of a 2"? any of you guys running a ram with the ford box and what size and how well does it work. my box has hardly any miles on it and would like to keep it. plus i really cant afford another box.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
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Pressure and volume is provided by the pump. The saginaw pump is more desirable, because it can provide both.
Too large of a diameter ram and the ram will react too slow, making steering difficult.
Too small and it might as well not be there.
Too large of a diameter ram and the ram will react too slow, making steering difficult.
Too small and it might as well not be there.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
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From: Victoria , BC
If you drive it on street u will not like the 2" ram. It will be too slow and unsafe under situations where you need to react fast as it tajes longer to fill cylinder. 1.5" is pretty good and is what I run but I will soon run a psc 1.75x.75x 6 ram. My 1.5 is a 8" inch stroke which works fine but it is also a 1" diameter rod so the pull of the ram is less power than the push. The smaller diameter rod gives you closer power to the push but will never be equal. When I go with a 6" stroke 1.75x.75rod ram it will be with high steer which only needs a 6" stroke vs the 8. I figure it will react exactly the same for speed as my setup now even though the ram will be slower but it only has to move 3"s in either direction. As far as you want to save your box goes get a junk one, find a high pressure diagram pic on a standard box and drill in the galleries to find a suitable pressure spot with enough meat to be able to tap. I tapped mine with a pipe tap then welded it as well. I carry caps fir the fittings so if I ever blew a line or bent a ram or something I can block it and go back to standard power steering..
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Junior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 78
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From: oklahoma
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
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From: Victoria , BC
Read the pirate 4x4 billa vista " where to tap steering box for hydro assist" thread. I'd add a link but I can't really from my phone. Just remember to use a donor junk box to find the best spot to tap. Little trick after you tapped your hole and have a fitting installed to check to see if your in the right pressure passage just turn your box right and have your ear over fitting. You should hear it blow in one direction of turn only. When you turn the other way you should be able to hear it in the other fitting. Never should you hear it blow in both directions..
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,092
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From: Olympia
So is there a specific tire size to upgrade steering at? I mean with 37" Swampers it didn't seem to have any trouble steering. But somewhere on the box there is a bad leak. I havn't looked at it real close and have not done anything regarding the steering box/pump. But I have to check it out soon. (Leaking P.S. fluid somewhere.)
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Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,083
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From: Victoria , BC
Yeah stock knuckles are not the best that's why I gusseted mine on all 4 corners and welded with pre heat and a cast nirod then let cool over a long period buried in a bucket of dry sand at my shop. Works good.
Lead Driver
Joined: Mar 2004
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Lately, I've been asked by two people if I sold mine to someone up in Albion Pa., so there are some impostors out there.
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