I want to get as much power out of my new 1.5" ram as possible, but I heard the TJ steering pump is already "high pressure". Is that true? Or can I boost it safely (don't want to blow the pump) with the washer trick?

Thanks,
Phil Jensen

No, don't do it. Just make sure the fitting on the piston is screwed in all the way. I've noticed that most of them aren't. that should give you a noticable difference. but don't put the washers in a wrangler metric pump. it will generate too much pressure.
Be sure to let us know how it works for you.

What piston should I screw in all the way? Not sure what you are talking about?

Thanks,
Phil

ok first thing you have to do is revove the high pressure line coming out of the pump. then behind that there should be a 7/8" or 1" fitting that screws directly into the body of the pump. ( the high pressure line should have scrwede into this large fitting)
After you remove that large fitting use a magnet to retieve the piston out of the hole. that is the piston i'm talking about.
a large spring might come out with it. make sure it goes back in first. If you have any more questions please feel free to ask or call

Thanks for the info lakerat. I'm still a little confused though. Turning the fitting in more will increase pressure?
If I am just tightening the fitting, then why am I removing the piston?

I guess I still don't understand the procedure - sorry.

Phil
Damn it, I'm a computer geek not a mecanic ;)

Phil, I believe Matt is referencing the piston itself. On the tail end (The end that goes into the pump first) you will see a hex nut fitting. Make sure it is screwed into the piston all the way.

Then put the spring and piston back in (Piston nut end first) and then screw on the fitting that holds the high pressure hose.

Hope this helps you out.

Frank

Does that go the same for a pump on a cj? Also what washer trick.

Originally posted by SCRAMBLR
Does that go the same for a pump on a cj? Also what washer trick.

Hey newbie, see that button on the top right, that looks like this:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/images/top_search.gif
Learn it, love it, live it.:flipoff2:
It is the best technical reference on the internet.


Phil

Originally posted by SCRAMBLR
Also what washer trick.

Me too... WHAT washer trick? And yes, I did a search on all kinds of combinations of washer and brake as search arguments.. found nothing. That doesn't mean the search engine can't find it but I sure couldn't find it.

Hi Jerry, Hi Folks,

Here are a few links I have on this topic. Note none of these are using the TJ power steering pump.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

http://woody.ih8mud.com/ps-pump.html

I have not and will not install the washers in my TJ pump. I have however screwed the fitting on the end of the piston in all the way. This will increase flow (GPM).

The washer trick will increase pressure. I have plenty of pressure at 1575 PSI stock.

Hope this helps you out.

Frank

Is this all to say that a Wrangler pump IS higher pressure than, say, my stock 1976 Chevy pump? If so, would it fit my Chevy engine OK? I am going full hydro soon and was thinking of getting a nicer pump.

J. J.

Hey Frank hows it going? Have you done this on your TJ? Did it help with the winch at all? any faster line speed?
Thanks and later, Rob

Originally posted by Daless2
Hi Jerry, Hi Folks,

Here are a few links I have on this topic. Note none of these are using the TJ power steering pump.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

http://woody.ih8mud.com/ps-pump.html

Thanks Frank, I appreciate the good answer!

Hi Jerry, glad I could help.

Hi Rob,

Yes I have done this on my 97TJ. However, I have not accurately measured what effect it has had.

I have access to a gauge that measure P/S pressure, but not volume (gpm).

Prior to making this minor change. (Threading the piston fitting in about 1.3 turns) my MM winch was able to pull my TJ up a 30 degree slope at a overall average rate of 6.8 fpm.

I have not had a chance yet to see what, if any difference this has made.

By the seat of my pants I can't say it made a major difference, but I do feel it made some improvement.

I will get some time this weekend and put the Jeep on the same slope and test it out to quantify what difference it made, if any.

I'll let you know.

Frank

PS: Please note, as Matt has stated, not all of these fitting can be screwed in. Some of them are all the way in already. That was the case on two Jeeps belonging to friends. In my case there was a bit more to go.

Originally posted by Daless2
Hi Jerry, Hi Folks,

Here are a few links I have on this topic. Note none of these are using the TJ power steering pump.

http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

http://woody.ih8mud.com/ps-pump.html

I have not and will not install the washers in my TJ pump. I have however screwed the fitting on the end of the piston in all the way. This will increase flow (GPM).

The washer trick will increase pressure. I have plenty of pressure at 1575 PSI stock.

Hope this helps you out.

Frank

This is all interesting. Can you answer me these questions? What is the presure from a standard Chevy 4.3 pump? Whould it be better for me to switch to a TJ pump with a YJ box, or modify the Chevy pump?

Was the 1575 presure at idle, or at a higher RPM?
Is the 1575 presure in the TJ pump reduced before it goes into the box? Does the ram recieve the 1575 of presure? Is the 1575 a regulated presure, or does it fluctuate with engine RPM?

So many questions, not enough time.

:D :D :D

Going back to the " screwing the screw in the valve to increase flow on a tj topic" would this work for a 95 yj p/s pump (4cyl) I'm running 35's and would like a little more ezzz in the steering. What would you recommend? I've read your article about drilling out the piston and what not, but wondering where to begin. I wheel a lot and would love to try a niffty mod like this. Thanks

I drilled mine out to 5/32" (if i remember right) and it was a huge difference. A friend drilled his to 3/16" and put washers behind the spring... it actually blew the bottom off of a brand new PSC box. I agree with the others on the no washers...

Double check the drill size if you decide to go that route, you can find many references to it on pirate.