Hydro assist steering in steps?

[JeepingNet]

My power steering pump is going and I had some steering overheating issues last summer. (I'm runnings 35s and might be going to 36s in the future)

So I think my solution will be to buy:

• Black magics TJ Nearly Bolt-in Hydro Assist for Currie Steering kit
• PSC Ported steering gear - SG400R - Big Bore XD Cylinder Assist Steering Gearbox for 2003-06 Jeep LJ/TJ
• PSC Remote reservoir - SR146 Remote Reservoir
• PSC Pump - SP32362JP Power Steering Pump

The plan: With so many other projects going on, budget, time, etc could I install the cooler, pump, reservoir now. Then later in the summer buy the steering box and then install the ram.

Questions:

• My understanding is that should be totally fine but will the PSC pump be too much for my stock box?
• Do I need to drop the stock box to install the new pump and cooler?
• I run the ZJ tie rod I assume this will also work with the Currie steering kit

My biggest slow down is waiting for the border to open so I can start picking up parts again

Thanks!

 

[Steel City 06]

I did it similarly, but personally I would recommend the box, pump, and cooler be installed together. You can easily add on the ram afterwards. That way you're not trying to flush the box with new fluid and dealing with trying to adapt new fittings.

I think the ram requires Currie steering. It clamps on to the drag link, and if that drag link is a different diameter, it won't fit correctly.

 

[JeepingNet]

I did it similarly, but personally I would recommend the box, pump, and cooler be installed together. You can easily add on the ram afterwards. That way you're not trying to flush the box with new fluid and dealing with trying to adapt new fittings.

I think the ram requires Currie steering. It clamps on to the drag link, and if that drag link is a different diameter, it won't fit correctly.

Very good points. I'll likely just collect all the parts and install them at once. Worse cause I end up killing my current steering which it sounds like is all coming out anyway

I wasn't aware the ram goes to the drag link in this kit. That makes sense and a good reason to upgrade to the Currie steering.

 

[sierradmax]

Over the last week, I've been installing PSC's kit along with Blaine's single row cooler and -8AN fittings/hose. I'm installing in steps as well and run 35's on stock axles. According to many posts..

You want a -12AN feed line from the reservoir to the pump. Try to make it as short as possible yet manageable for install.
-8AN return line.

1. Starting at the reservoir, I'd suggest the SR-145 "short" reservoir only if you plan on swapping fenders in the future.The SR-145 is about 1" shorter than the SR-146. Tell PSC to swap the fittings at the reservoir to the -12AN & -8AN. I believe they typically ship with -10AN and -6AN, respectively.

2. Run the -12AN feed line from the Reservoir to the pump.

3. Buy the HK2000 hose kit or the mopar 97-02 high pressure line.
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/vehicle-specific-products/jeep-temp/03-06-jeep-tj-lj/psc-hk2000.html
4. The SG400/R is pretty self explanatory.

5. Blaine's -8 TJ cooler kit has everything needed, including a custom brazed fitting that is used at the pump, to use -8AN hose all the way back to the reservoir. It also has the cooler and V-bar bracket. I thought it was pricey but the ease of installation negated having to mess around with custom hose fittings and a bracket for the cooler.
https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.c...ar-Bracket-Hose-and-Fittings-8-COOLER-KIT.htm
I've heard some people using the OEM Mercedes box with the PSC pump, reservoir & cooler while gaining some benefit. As for how much, I don't know but this upgrade is certainly something that falls under the "buy once, cry once" category. However, I'm taking the chance and maybe one day shoot myself in the foot for not buying the cooler & ram assist kit from Blaine's site to save $100 vs. buying the kits individually. If you decide to keep you stock box, you won't need to remove it from the vehicle. The cooler can be slid through the headlamp opening. I had to loosen the radiator & condenser support to push them back about 1/2".

 

[mrblaine]

Over the last week, I've been installing PSC's kit along with Blaine's single row cooler and -8AN fittings/hose. I'm installing in steps as well and run 35's on stock axles. According to many posts..

You want a -12AN feed line from the reservoir to the pump. Try to make it as short as possible yet manageable for install.
-8AN return line.

1. Starting at the reservoir, I'd suggest the SR-145 "short" reservoir only if you plan on swapping fenders in the future.The SR-145 is about 1" shorter than the SR-146. Tell PSC to swap the fittings at the reservoir to the -12AN & -8AN. I believe they typically ship with -10AN and -6AN, respectively.

2. Run the -12AN feed line from the Reservoir to the pump.

3. Buy the HK2000 hose kit or the mopar 97-02 high pressure line.
https://www.pscmotorsports.com/vehicle-specific-products/jeep-temp/03-06-jeep-tj-lj/psc-hk2000.html
4. The SG400/R is pretty self explanatory.

5. Blaine's -8 TJ cooler kit has everything needed, including a custom brazed fitting that is used at the pump, to use -8AN hose all the way back to the reservoir. It also has the cooler and V-bar bracket. I thought it was pricey but the ease of installation negated having to mess around with custom hose fittings and a bracket for the cooler.
https://www.shop.blackmagicbrakes.c...ar-Bracket-Hose-and-Fittings-8-COOLER-KIT.htm
I've heard some people using the OEM Mercedes box with the PSC pump, reservoir & cooler while gaining some benefit. As for how much, I don't know but this upgrade is certainly something that falls under the "buy once, cry once" category. However, I'm taking the chance and maybe one day shoot myself in the foot for not buying the cooler & ram assist kit from Blaine's site to save $100 vs. buying the kits individually. If you decide to keep you stock box, you won't need to remove it from the vehicle. The cooler can be slid through the headlamp opening. I had to loosen the radiator & condenser support to push them back about 1/2".

People complaining about the price of the cooler kit is exactly why I took it off the site for almost 2 years. We have a very small mark-up on it now to justify keeping it up whereas before it had an even smaller next to zero mark-up which pissed me off to no end when folks bitched about the price and wanted me to justify making no money on it. I decided if I was going to ever put it back up, it would have to be with a profit of some kind or not do it. We make about 15% on it now and have to tie up several thousand to even get that.

I put it up with the hose and fittings I use on my installs. I can use cheaper stuff but I don't use that stuff, why should you?

 

[sierradmax]

I'm not complaining & nor should anyone. I should have further emphasized that after purchase & install, it's worth it. I'm shooting myself in the foot for not buying the complete cooler, ram and mount kit you offer.

 

[Steel City 06]

People complaining about the price of the cooler kit is exactly why I took it off the site for almost 2 years. We have a very small mark-up on it now to justify keeping it up whereas before it had an even smaller next to zero mark-up which pissed me off to no end when folks bitched about the price and wanted me to justify making no money on it. I decided if I was going to ever put it back up, it would have to be with a profit of some kind or not do it. We make about 15% on it now and have to tie up several thousand to even get that.

I put it up with the hose and fittings I use on my installs. I can use cheaper stuff but I don't use that stuff, why should you?

Out of curiosity, what’s the advantage of the heat sink style cooler over a plate and fin cooler like the the one included in PSC’s TJ kit? Less flow restriction? Overcooling?

https://www.pscmotorsports.com/psc-mbc100.html

 

[mrblaine]

Out of curiosity, what’s the advantage of the heat sink style cooler over a plate and fin cooler like the the one included in PSC’s TJ kit? Less flow restriction? Overcooling?

https://www.pscmotorsports.com/psc-mbc100.html

No idea. It is not overcooling for sure.

 

[JeepingNet]

@mrblaine so from my reading to use your kit I need to order the following:

• Black magics TJ Nearly Bolt-in Hydro Assist for Currie Steering kit
• PSC Ported steering gear - SG400R - Big Bore XD Cylinder Assist Steering Gearbox for 2003-06 Jeep LJ/TJ
• PSC Remote reservoir - SR-145 "short"
• PSC Pump - SP32362JP Power Steering Pump
• Currie steering

I just need to wait for the borders to open up so I can start ordering stuff but want to make sure I'm ready to go as soon as that happens.

Thanks

 

[James C.]

I am in the middle of installing everything except the ram.
You will need the pressure hose from pump to box for 97-02 tj.
Red locktite 271 or 272 for the npt fittings at the cooler and reservoir.
A bracket either made or bought from psc to mount the reservoir.

You will also likely need these. They hold the condenser to the grill. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040CZ2B6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

 

[JeepingNet]

I am in the middle of installing everything except the ram.
You will need the pressure hose from pump to box for 97-02 tj.
Red locktite 271 or 272 for the npt fittings at the cooler and reservoir.
A bracket either made or bought from psc to mount the reservoir.

You will also likely need these. They hold the condenser to the grill. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040CZ2B6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Are you using the Black magics TJ Nearly Bolt-in Hydro Assist for Currie Steering kit?

 

[Rock Toy]

I am in the middle of installing everything except the ram.
You will need the pressure hose from pump to box for 97-02 tj.
Red locktite 271 or 272 for the npt fittings at the cooler and reservoir.
A bracket either made or bought from psc to mount the reservoir.

You will also likely need these. They hold the condenser to the grill. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0040CZ2B6/?tag=wranglerorg-20

Well turns out that I am also in the same boat. Kind of. I just came across an AGR box for my 2005 for a pretty good deal so I bought it. Comes with an AGR pump but I think that I'm going to do a WJ pump instead because I don't want to deal with a remote reservoir and from what I've read, its just as good if not better. Got a question for our resident expert (paging Blaine):

Do you know if the fittings on the AGR box are the same as on the PSC box? I'm assuming that they are. And if so, what size are the high pressure in, low pressure out and ram fittings? I'm guessing the ram fittings are both -6AN, the high is a 16mm pressure O-ring fitting and the return is an 18mm pressure O-ring fitting. And I'm guessing that I can run -6AN line throughout?

 

[mrblaine]

Well turns out that I am also in the same boat. Kind of. I just came across an AGR box for my 2005 for a pretty good deal so I bought it. Comes with an AGR pump but I think that I'm going to do a WJ pump instead because I don't want to deal with a remote reservoir and from what I've read, its just as good if not better. Got a question for our resident expert (paging Blaine):

Do you know if the fittings on the AGR box are the same as on the PSC box? I'm assuming that they are.

I do not know. I don't deal with anything from AGR. I would make a reasonable assumption that they are the same as stock.

And I'm guessing that I can run -6AN line throughout?

You can try. We don't do it that way.

 

[Rock Toy]

I do not know. I don't deal with anything from AGR. I would make a reasonable assumption that they are the same as stock.

You can try. We don't do it that way.

What is stock?

And OK, I'll bite. How do YOU do it?

 

[mrblaine]

What is stock?

I believe they are 16 and 18mm but they have various names that have nothing to do with normal shit.

And OK, I'll bite. How do YOU do it?

-12 feed, -8 return, -6 from steering pump to gear (stock pressure line from a 97-02 is -6) -6 high pressure to cylinder from steering gear ports.

 

[Rock Toy]

Thanks. So much to learn....

 

[mrblaine]

Thanks. So much to learn....

I've asked several in the steering business what the correct name of the o-ring fittings is. No one really knows but they generally tell me that what I find them named as is wrong.

Metric o-ring steering fittings. That term will bring up a lot of what we use. The problem with that is there is what is called ORB or O-ring boss which is the term for fittings that seal with an o-ring right under the hex on the face of the hole they are screwed into.
Bump Tube steering fittings
https://phenixindustries.com/product-category/brakes/bump-tube-fittings/
Power Steering fittings will also bring up what we use but also brings up the older GM inverted flare stuff.

If you are intent on not using a remote reservoir, Steel City on here found a GM pump with attached reservoir that might work for you. It would be better than the WJ pump.

 

[JeepingNet]

mrblaine, so if I purchase the Nearly Bolt-in Hydro Assist for Currie Steering kit it comes with all the proper hoses, etc assume I order the correct pump/reservoir from PSC.

Thanks!

 

[Rock Toy]

Thanks for the education on the fittings. Very good to know.

And its not that I'm intent on not using a remote reservoir. I just don't see the benefit on my TJ. Running a remote ressy involves buying a reservoir, fittings & lines. Then figuring out where to mount it and routing lines. Which is all fine if the benefit is obvious. However, from what I have read the WJ pump is more than adequate to push 37-40" tires, is completely bolt-in with its own piggy-back reservoir, is cheap and I can pick up a replacement at any auto parts store. What am I missing? I guess that as usual, I'll just do it and then either come back and eat crow or I won't .

 

[mrblaine]

mrblaine, so if I purchase the Nearly Bolt-in Hydro Assist for Currie Steering kit it comes with all the proper hoses, etc assume I order the correct pump/reservoir from PSC.

Thanks!

Our kit comes with the hose kit which is hose and fittings from the steering gear to the assist cylinder.
Return hose from steering gear to the cooler and back to the reservoir with adapter fitting to get into grill, adapter fittings for cooler, low pressure push lock fittings for all 4 connections.

Return side is -8. Pressure side for cylinder is -6.