Hydro Assist on the Cherokee....

[74_Chevota]

Well my brother has been wanting hydro assist ever since he got the full widths and 38's and we just got it finished in time to go to windrock last weekend (check the general 4x4 section for pics of the weekend). He decided to go all out and get the PSC box and get the ram with lines and fittings and tabs ready to weld on. I can get him to tell you more details when he gets back in town but for right now he wanted me to post up some pics of how it went.....

After seeing his in action, it wont be long till the cruiser gets hydro'ed.

[74_Chevota]

The 90 deg. fittings worked out perfectly...

[74_Chevota]

decided to go off the BTF Diff cover. Dan and the guys at BTF make a pimp cover BTW.

[74_Chevota]

Ram and lines mounted up...

[74_Chevota]

one to show the vehicle it was mounted on...

[Judd]

Very nice Sam. I'm researching hydro for my MJ right now. Something tells me the stock box, 42's, and a heavy ass D60 with Detroit are not going to work well together.
Did you guys stretch the WB in the XJ? That's my main dilemma right now. I'm running a 120" WB and I'm not sure if the stock box location is going to let me have a draglink that is going to run to a good location on the highsteer arms... Looks great man, take care, Judd

[Judd]

Well, I'm a numbnut. I looked at the pics again and saw he is running a LA setup. Guessing he is running the axle in the stock location... Judd

[74_Chevota]

well the front axle it about 2" forward so he could run the hy-steer set up correctly. But it sounds like you have a little more than a 2" stretch. When you comeing back down to wheel with us?

Sam

[bigredjeep1]

Looks good. How's it all working and what axles did you run? I'm looking into getting hydro assist on my 91' XJ with 37" MTRs hp44/9" detroit f/r.

[74_Chevota]

Originally Posted by bigredjeep1

Looks good. How's it all working and what axles did you run? I'm looking into getting hydro assist on my 91' XJ with 37" MTRs hp44/9" detroit f/r.

Mac is running a HP 44 front with dutchmen shafts and bobby long u-joints, FF 35 spline dana 60 rear with disc brakes and detroited F/R with 5.13's and 38" TSL's. This last trip to windrock he said it was amazing how much difference the assist made. The funny thing is it actualy helped the on road driving as well and works to keep the tires true going down the road. One small disadvantage is that at stand still if you try and turn too fast you can have the steering box outrun the ram and you have to wait for the ram to catch up. Not a big deal but you should be aware of this if you plan on purchasing this type of setup. All in all it seems to be a great buy.

[HULK]

So how much did that setup cost him? It looks nice- is he going to make a skid for the ram? Looks a bit like rock bait....

[74_Chevota]

Originally Posted by HULK

So how much did that setup cost him? It looks nice- is he going to make a skid for the ram? Looks a bit like rock bait....

Yea he is definatly going to make a skid for the ram but we finished it at 2 in the morning the day we were leaving for windrock so no time to do a skid. I believe the ram, lines, fittings, and tabs were something like $225 or $250? As I said I dont know exactly but I will make sure when he gets back in town to give details.

[Judd]

Originally Posted by 74_Chevota

well the front axle it about 2" forward so he could run the hy-steer set up correctly. But it sounds like you have a little more than a 2" stretch. When you comeing back down to wheel with us?

Sam

Man I'd love to make a trip down this fall. Work is really hectic right now and fall would def. be a good time. My rig and my brother in law's rig (Jay that you met last summer) will both be ready by then. We'll have to talk, I want to come back sooooo bad. Later, tell Mac I said hi...

[HULK]

Originally Posted by 74_Chevota

Yea he is definatly going to make a skid for the ram but we finished it at 2 in the morning the day we were leaving for windrock so no time to do a skid. I believe the ram, lines, fittings, and tabs were something like $225 or $250? As I said I dont know exactly but I will make sure when he gets back in town to give details.

Heck ya man let me know. That set up looks rad, and from what I understand the WTO redneck set up is like $500 in order to have them tap and rebuild your box. SO, if it is cheaper to get this ram and stuff from PSC, I will go this route! I guess we need to know how much the box is. So, make sure to let us know.
josh

[Madbull]

Originally Posted by 74_Chevota

well the front axle it about 2" forward so he could run the hy-steer set up correctly. But it sounds like you have a little more than a 2" stretch. When you comeing back down to wheel with us?

Sam

Do you have any more pictures of the bracketery on the front axle? I'm kind of doing to the same thing on my TJ and just want to see how you did it. Thanks.

[85GAJEEPCJ7]

Originally Posted by HULK

Heck ya man let me know. That set up looks rad, and from what I understand the WTO redneck set up is like $500 in order to have them tap and rebuild your box. SO, if it is cheaper to get this ram and stuff from PSC, I will go this route! I guess we need to know how much the box is. So, make sure to let us know.
josh

I think he was saying that the Ram, hoses, and fittings were 250 only. The box will be more. WTO still would be cheaper, or you could do a DIY one if you are a cheap ass like me.

[ashmanjeepXJ]

Originally Posted by Judd

Very nice Sam. I'm researching hydro for my MJ right now. Something tells me the stock box, 42's, and a heavy ass D60 with Detroit are not going to work well together.
Did you guys stretch the WB in the XJ? That's my main dilemma right now. I'm running a 120" WB and I'm not sure if the stock box location is going to let me have a draglink that is going to run to a good location on the highsteer arms... Looks great man, take care, Judd

Im running the stock box ported for a 1.5X8X.75 ram, stokc PS pump, 42s and welded front and rear for about a year. the box will hold up if the frame is plated.

I also mounted my ram to my plated diff cover. My diff cover bolts fall out all the time. I lock tight them too. Eventually Ill move my mount to something else. Its just a hassle troquing them all the time but it works.

[Ken Carter / BRUISER]

Hey guys,,

came out looking real good.

I also have a ram and love it

[chris demartini]

Looks good. How much for the box?

[XJ_ranger]

here is another similar thread if anyone is looking for one down the road:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=55711

[bigblacktj]

After doing this do you still need to run a steering stablizer for on the rode or will this take away the need for one. If anybody has pictures of it being done a tj I would love to see I know xj, tj and all of them are about the same but isnt the xj steering pump differnt than tj and for that reason I wanted to see where you needed to drill and tap on a tj.

[BrettM]

Originally Posted by bigblacktj

After doing this do you still need to run a steering stablizer for on the rode or will this take away the need for one. If anybody has pictures of it being done a tj I would love to see I know xj, tj and all of them are about the same but isnt the xj steering pump differnt than tj and for that reason I wanted to see where you needed to drill and tap on a tj.

hydro assist acts like the world's best steering stabilizer!

I have hydro-assist and keep forgetting to put lock washers on the mounting bolts, so the other day one rattled all the way off on the highway. fortuneately I was only a few miles from home because as soon as the assist came off I had MAJOR death wobble. checked my alignment today and I had the 35s toe'd in about 1 inch! amazing that it was invisible with the assist on.

[XJ_ranger]

Originally Posted by BrettM

hydro assist acts like the world's best steering stabilizer!

I have hydro-assist and keep forgetting to put lock washers on the mounting bolts, so the other day one rattled all the way off on the highway. fortuneately I was only a few miles from home because as soon as the assist came off I had MAJOR death wobble. checked my alignment today and I had the 35s toe'd in about 1 inch! amazing that it was invisible with the assist on.

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[74_Chevota]

I was saying 250 for the ram, hoses, fittings, and tabs. The new box that has already been drilled and taped will be more but i am not exactly sure of the price. When I do my own I will most likely just drill and tap my box but my brother has to go all the way.

Brett: I think that may be the reason his drives so much better on the road now. No shimmy in the steering wheel or anything of that nature.

[bigblacktj]

still looking for pictures of TJ steering box drilled.