I know it's not legal, but screw the cops, most of them won't know what they are looking at in the first place. Beside the fact if the motor stops the steering won't work, is there any reason I can't run a full hydro system on the street? If I build one will I notice any downsides to having a steering system for street use?

it will efect your handling, it like having a steering system that doesn't respond and it fill like something is loose. other than that you will have to turn the steering wheel back by hand all the way.
laredo:smokin:

#1 Full hydro steering is NOT illegal! :flipoff2: I spent hours looking into this and finally ended up talking with someone with US DOT in Washington DC that heads up the accident avoidance division. He informed me that "There are NO safety standards issued for steering systems" end quote. That said, check with your local authorities they may have a different viewpoint but I doubt it as their law books usually follow DOT guidelines.
#2 I assume you will be using an orbital gearotor steering valve and if you do you WILL still have steering if the engine dies albeit very dificult to turn the wheel.
#3 Depending on which type steering valve you use you may or may not have any return to center. You will lose road feel. So when those Swampers are shakin the hell out of your truck your steering wheel will be stock still! :D
#4 Set up your system with about 4 turns lock to lock and you will have a pretty good setup for street use. (Do your math when selecting the ram and steering valve to achieve this)

Contrary to what laredo said, the system should not feel loose and the response is not much different than with normal steering. You will just not "feel" any feedback in the steering wheel. :p

Its great when the only people on the road that have to obide by the law are truckers.:mad:

hey kaos do you have hydro, what did you use and thwere did you get the parts? I'm gonna go hydro on my sami. I already have a chevy ps pump mounted up.

Rockiller,
Ya, I have a full hydro set up on my rig. Bought all my parts except for the hoses from Surplus Center. 800-488-3407
I used a cheapy Cheif ram, and a Char-Lynn steering valve. My ram is 2.5" bore X 8" stroke part #9-4301-08-S, 1 1/8" rod and 18 1/4" retracted length.
The steering valve is part #9-1882 model 211-1010, 9.7 c/i per revolution. The math works out to approx 4 turns in the push and 3.6 or so in the pull. (Rod takes up volume in the ram.)
You will need to get a column for the steering valve and Surplus has these also in varying lengths. You will have to decide how long of one you will need. (mounting location of the valve will determine this)
I also used a Vickers pump but it is not necessary to upgrade from the stock one. I had all the hoses made up locally at a hydraulics shop.
I would recommend a cooler in your system and maybe a slightly larger reservoir. I have a B&M 28K GVW cooler on mine and I can put my hands on any hose at any given time and it is only luke warm.
I can put the 42's against a rock and move my rig side ways with this setup. :eek: :D

It pretty much sucks on the street, lots of caster and low tire pressure helps, but, it is not something you want to deal with every day.
You won't get any road feel or return to center without a load reactive orbit valve and a double ended cyl. or 2 opposing cyls. linked together.
Off road or on gravel roads it is great, but on pavement is a pita.

Originally posted by Ultim8kaos
I also used a Vickers pump but it is not necessary to upgrade from the stock one.


Have you tried a ps pump with that valve ? I be interested to hear how it differed from the vickers.
What are the specs on that vickers ? What size pulley are you using on the pump ?
I'm useing a saginaw/hydroboost and getting 1500psi ,but I think more volume will help the road manners. I want to try a industrial pump with more flow and see if I get a more responsive feel on the road. As it is now, going straight down the road with minor corrections is challenge. Going around curves all the time (like in tennessee) is ok tho. .

I was shocked when i was able to hit 55mph(2 miles from my place to loacal wheelin spot) and it was actually stable, granted, it sure felt like if i was to do a sudden trun, bad things would happen... But yes, you do loose road feel/feedback at the steering wheel. Personally, i don't advise anybody to run it on the street, and lets not forget the other factor, accident and lawers....

Dirtrod,
The specs on the Vickers pump are 4 GPM and 2500 psi. I run about 25% overdrive on the pump. (wanted more flow/pressure at idle) I have since reset the operating pressure down to 1500 psi by changing the pressure relief valve. I have not used a stock p/s pump, however, 3 friends of mine are using the same ram and valve I do and 2 of them run stock pumps. (1 is an Isuzu and one is GM Hydraboost) ALL work just fine! :D
I don't think a higher flow rate will net any quicker response from the system as the valve seems to be the limiting factor here.

i have recently installed full hydro on my jep and it is great off road but if you run your rig on the road much or at speed then i'd do a hydro assist setup. just my op.

I just took my jeep on a shaker run last weekend...

Due to the engine mounts coming apart ripping a hole in my oil filter / and spare... I had to be towed out of the woods, which included 8 miles of gravel road and 4 miles of paved road...
All with no engine and full hydro steering...

I've got a 10inch steering wheel for extra leg & belly clearance... and even with this tiny steering wheel it was not any more dificult to steer while rolling than if I had a conventional power steering setup without any engine power....

I'm sure if I had a stock 14 or 16inch steering wheel it would have been that much easier (more torque)