I need something up front for my steering. Is it worth buying a p/s pump from AGR? If so where can I get the best deal?

Dimitri

heard great things about Matt aka 'thelakerat' he'll probably see this thread and reply. A lot cheaper than AGR and prob. stronger!

Matt Hodges, Owner/HNIC
West Texas 4Wheel & Offroad
915-651-5010 or thelakerat@aol.com
6305 US Hwy 277 S.
San Angelo, Tx. 76904
www.westtexasoffroad.com (http://www.westtexasoffroad.com)

Yea, my bro is running his setup, and it does kick ass. I can't afford it right now, and I don't have any spare time to fab up the system before calrocs. So I am just gonna do a P/S pump

Dimitri

Matt will beef up your pump (or he can probably get a donor locally) better than the AGR and cheaper, too. His website just shows the hydro set-ups. He's getting a pretty good rep. with his boxes.

If you want an over priced leaky ass steering box with the worst customer service around get the AGR. <IMG SRC="smilies/thefinger.gif" border="0">
I called these guys 3 or 4 times about sending me a repair kit and every time they said "oh yeah sorry about that I dropped the ball on that, I will send one out right away" sounded like a recording, Matt from westtexasoffroad was nice enough to send me out a free one, nice to see service still matters to some, thanks Matt.
I have a few friends that have had nothing but problem with their stuff as well so I will prolly go with Matt's setup after I pull that AGR turd off my frame.

I'm not coming off to harsh am I? <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

Skip the AGR. It is an overpriced pile of junk..that leaks and does good attimes to match a stock pump.I have never seen one worth having on a vehicle..ONe thing you can do is buy a hydroboost pump and use it. Just plug the extra line . The hydroboost has a larger diameter hole in the valve and isless restrictive in flowing the fluid..Or you can modify a regular pump by removing the valve and drilling the hole in the valve to a larger diameter and stretching the spring.Hope this helps.

You can boost the pressure and volume of your stock pump, this site shows how.
I've done it to a few pumps and it works very good.
For more pressure go to this site: http://www.off-road.com/~jweed/pwrstr.htm

For more volume : (don't increase volume without increasing pressure too)
Remove the high pressure hose on the back of the pump. Then remove the bigger nut and pressure release valve. Near the tip is a small cross orfice that needs to be drilled out a fraction larger, and that will increase your pressure. Only drill it slightly larger, if drilled to large, you'll run the risk of loss of pressure.

[ 10-19-2001: Message edited by: PYRO ]

If you guys can wait a few more days I should have a tech article done that explains all the mods that can be done to bump up the volume and pressure of most Saginaw and Jeep power steering pumps.You should be able to do them all for free or at the most just pennies.

If you can't wait then Email me and I'll send all the pics and info that I have.

I'll be lookin for that article, my stock pump is about to go to. Already bought a super box 2 last year <IMG SRC="smilies/frown.gif" border="0"> , didn't know of any other options.

Originally posted by TheLakeRat:
<STRONG>If you guys can wait a few more days I should have a tech article done that explains all the mods that can be done to bump up the volume and pressure of most Saginaw and Jeep power steering pumps.You should be able to do them all for free or at the most just pennies.</STRONG>

Saweet! http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif http://www.pirate4x4.com/ubb/icons/icon14.gif

Here is a place that has new pumps and shows pressure and flow rates. http://www.sandstruck.com/catalog2000/power/powersteeringsaginaw.htm

Originally posted by TheLakeRat:
<STRONG>If you guys can wait a few more days I should have a tech article done that explains all the mods that can be done to bump up the volume and pressure of most Saginaw and Jeep power steering pumps.You should be able to do them all for free or at the most just pennies.

.</STRONG>

Matt, your becoming 'The Man'! I'll look forward to the article.

Sheet I've always been The Man. It's just t
aken ya'll till now to figure it out. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/bounce2.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/clown.gif" border="0">
But really, Thanks. I'm just trying to help out.
I posted the article to Brandon Late last night so look for it in a few days. I'm sure he'll have to redo it to make it fit on the board. So give him some time.

Kick down. <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> I'm tired of having manual steering on my 94 YJ with 38's. I want to go hydro assist but I would like to start with the pump and then to the hydro.

Matt, do you have a hydro steering set up for a standard inside frame saginaw box? your page shows a picture of a Ford/Scout type box. I do lokie your prices andyour ram looks beefier than the AGR. is your setup street legal?
TIA

As far as inside frame mount Saginaw boxes go there there really is no standard. there are at least 4 different mounting patterns that I can think of off the top of my head. That's why i normally just rebuild your box and send it back. I do have several boxes here and I will be glad to send one, but I need to know what Pattern youv'e got. Or you could just let me know what vehicle youv'e got or what donor your box came out of.
As far as street legal. I've been informed that I have to sell everything for OFF ROAD USE ONLY! for legal reasons of course. BUt this is only because I hav'nt gone to DOT and had them test it all and so to keep my prices down I think I'll just pass on that.
Ford used a similar setup back in the late 60's or early 70's and Howe used it for desert racing for many years before AGR jumped on the band wagon.
So anyway I guess to answer your question, Yes and No. Yes, they type of setup is street legal. And No, I don't have a DOT stamp, but honestly I don't think AGR does either.

LakeRat....
im toying with the idea of a hydro-assist steering setup when i get my new front axle together this winter.
what sort of setup would work best for me, and what of that setup do you sell?
im just figuring out steering stuff, and you seem to be the resident expert, so id like to hear your opinion.
i really had no idea the AGR stuff was trash, anyways, thanks for any advice you can give.
~John

my stock pump that came off my engine ('72 350) works great w/ lots of pressure and i never have had any problems

We'll first off AGR stuff isn't trash, It's just overpriced and run by a bunch of guys that used to really good and helpful. It's just that they are selling you stuff that IS way overpriced and have lost sight of where there business comes from.
As far as advise goes. whether you buy a hydro assist kit from me or AGR or build it yourself, Just do it. I promise that you will be very happy. anyone with large tires or rims with lots of offset and actually wheel need it, Whether they know it or not.
Hope I helped.

Originally posted by TheLakeRat:
<STRONG>We'll first off AGR stuff isn't trash, It's just overpriced and run by a bunch of guys that used to really good and helpful. It's just that they are selling you stuff that IS way overpriced and have lost sight of where there business comes from.
As far as advise goes. whether you buy a hydro assist kit from me or AGR or build it yourself, Just do it. I promise that you will be very happy. anyone with large tires or rims with lots of offset and actually wheel need it, Whether they know it or not.
Hope I helped.</STRONG>
well where can i see what you sell?
id like to check stuff out to see how im gonna set up my steering in the winter.
thanks
~John

duh....saw the url in sig...thanks
~John

Well as of a few days ago, I should be driving CALROCS for Matt. I just talked to him, and we are talking about runiing his Hydro assist steering on my rig. My bro already runs it and LOVES it. It is super sweet, and I hopefully will be running his setup in CALROCS. If it can handle 38's, and a welded front 60, it can handle anything you go tot throw at him. should be sending my shit out this week for him to work on. MAtt you are the MAN

Dimitri

I use Howe steering. If its good enough for the baja racers its good enough for me. I have never seen a problem w/ Howe's power assist steering. I have seen problems w/ other companies.

Originally posted by TheLakeRat:
<STRONG>If you guys can wait a few more days I should have a tech article done that explains all the mods that can be done to bump up the volume and pressure of most Saginaw and Jeep power steering pumps.You should be able to do them all for free or at the most just pennies.

If you can't wait then Email me and I'll send all the pics and info that I have.</STRONG>

Thumbs up to you bro!!! <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0"> <IMG SRC="smilies/biggrin.gif" border="0">

I've had good luck with Howe. it's a little spendy but i agree with RJ if it's good enough for the desert boys it's good enough for me.