Budget XJ Hydro Assist steering!

How I installed hydro assist steering on my Jeep!
Full cost including hardware and tools, under $250.
Tools and parts needed
29/64 drill bit
1/4-18 tap x2
Oil resistant thread tape
Ram: just need one
1.5X8X1 Hydraulic Cylinder Dual action
9-7258-8
Hoses: ( I bought 3)
3/8" X 36" JIC 6F X JIC 6F 4800 PSI HYD HOSE
930-2236
Ram Fittings( buy 3 so you have a spare)
JIC 6M x SAE 6M 90 ELBOW
9-6801-6-6
Box fittings( again 2 needed but get a few extras)
JIC 6M x 1/4 NPTM 45 ELBOW
9-2503-6-4

[@jerrywhalen2100]

Makes me giddy just thinking about something as cheap as that great job dude

[@seanmacdonald8476]

I’m all for cheap and easy but I think you could easily put that axle side mount in double sheer and make it a lot safer and reliable. 5 stars for the nonsense disclaimer tho :)

[@mikes4x4garage]

I agree

[@bowtierj]

You saved me hundreds of dollars thank you so much.

[@hmcalequin4854]

Yeah, I did find the part numbers.... I very much appreciate your reply....

[@emptypocketsoffroad]

Great video! It's on my to do list

[@mikes4x4garage]

So worth it. Wish I had done it earlier!

[@hmcalequin4854]

I echo some of the comments. This was a nicely done, very well explained, & very easy to follow video. GR8 JOB!!!

[@Tailhook_Fabrication]

XJ for lyfeee. Looks great man

[@robanderson2815]

Bad ass video! I am 100% going to build my own Hydro assist steering

[@mikes4x4garage]

Do it!

[@7t2z28]

I went to Surplus Center for my ram too. Works great. For the steering box, I tapped the top cover, and then DIY 4x4 makes a front cover replacement that has a tapped hole. You might not be able to go that route on an XJ, but on a YJ, the front is wide open. I recommend putting some protective wrap on those hoses. Nothing fancy, but I got some plastic wrap from McMaster that just cuts down any chance of a hose rubbing through on anything under there.

[@ann-mariekitson9554]

Very thorough!!

[@chopperchuck]

Good job

[@garrettromer8150]

Nice

[@jerico5660]

Bravo dude!

[@ibrigs19]

The other option was a terraflex 2low kit, pop from 4low to 2low to make tight turns then right back. There's also a restrictor valve in the pump that you can remove to greatly increase flow.

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s a cool idea but the tera low hasn’t been produced in years.

[@TexasRedneck]

Yeah i did my SYE last year and they said you couldn't get the 2low kit unless it's used.

[@moejr14]

@@mikes4x4garageyou can still get the teralow 2low kit, you cannot get the teralow 4:1 tcase anymore. All the 2low kit does is allow you to go from 4low front and rear to 4low rear only.

[@billcrane2444]

Is it possible to use the mounting points of the steering stabilizer for the hydraulic ram thus eliminating the stabilizer?

[@codyballew2221]

What that part call on the streeting bar

[@Paiadakine]

Nice setup. What lift do you have on that XJ?

[@Steven-zu1fx]

What fittings did you get for the WJ steering pump upgrade? Was it a direct hook up with the stock fittings?

[@FlawedOffroad]

you basically have to change out the high pressure port, throw your stock one in the new pump. the reservoir on that wj pump has 2 returns so you have to plug one of them. you want the 01-04 with 4.7 v8

[@garrettmathews7464]

What track bar mount/track bar are you running that it’s mounted up higher? Seems to be in my way in the stock location

[@mikes4x4garage]

The axle side is Artec and the frame side is rubicon express

[@jerico5660]

You should sell kits man!

[@mikes4x4garage]

Not a bad idea!

[@hmcalequin4854]

Yeah, I very much like your set up... Do you remember the part Number to the Hydraulic Cylinder you're using???

[@mikes4x4garage]

All of the part numbers are in the video description 👍🏻

[@bcxplorer6140]

Did you drill out the high pressure fitting on the wj pump or just left the xj one

[@machinesinc]

How has this ram and setup held up over time? Thinking about going this route here soon.

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s been flawless! Lots of wheeling on this setup!

[@machinesinc]

Thanks for the update! Looks like I’m going to order everything up.

[@moejr14]

@@machinesinchave you done this yet?

[@jordanlovell13]

How hard was the track bar bracket install? I've got almost an identical setup and going to be installing my ram soon

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s not hard if you know how to weld!

[@coryhalling1614]

Wouldn't this be pretty much the same setup for my Tj ? Thx great video

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yes it would be 👍🏻

[@Tanner731]

hey mike, question about the drilling and tapping. is it dumb to drill and tap it in the vehicle with it running so the ps fluid pushes the chips out?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah I don’t think that would work unfortunately

[@Tanner731]

@@mikes4x4garage ive seen toyota guys do it but yeah probably just going to make a huge mess. I might just do the diy4x cap and tap the top cover thing since those come off easy

[@AmandoMeraz]

Great job! Is it possible to drive only with the ram? The big one

[@mikes4x4garage]

I don’t think so, this is only hydro assist not full hydraulic steering. It only assists the steering and doesn’t put out enough power to completely operate on its own.

[@moejr14]

What OTA track bar are you using?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Home made with an Artec mount

[@moejr14]

Do you have a forum write up link?

[@mikes4x4garage]

No, but if you have any questions shoot me a DM on instagram !

[@hmcalequin4854]

Is that a sleeve you welded around the tie rod in order to fit the ram tube clamp?

[@MrMrsregor]

probably to reinforce the tierod and make it more beefy (not mine, just a guess)

[@chineseempanada420]

If you weld that clamp what do you do if you need an alignment and have to turn the tie rod?

[@mikes4x4garage]

The tie rod is not a straight line to begin with, so you have to remove one end to adjust it anyway. Kind of a pain but that’s the way these tie rods work. The hydro assist doesn’t change that 👍🏻

[@BobMillerHome]

so you don't have to drill out the front and the top? you can just drill 2 holes in the rear?

[@mikes4x4garage]

If you’re talking about on the box, yes the two holes on the inboard side.

[@freeridin12345]

what size lift is that i like the size of the jeep basicly what im shooting for

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s around 4.5-5” of lift

[@ricardoflores9874]

Hey mike did you limited your ram?

[@mikes4x4garage]

negative, though i would've gotten a 6" ram if i were to do it again or limit this one. still works perfect however but now i have to tell people not to force the steering limits when they drive

[@tarahumara2120]

Hi want to do this but I don't know nothing about it. Can you give me the parts list?

[@mikes4x4garage]

It’s in the description 👍🏻

[@tracyedwards3192]

Where did you find the instructions. Where to drill the box. To add the ram?

[@mikes4x4garage]

No instructions, just watched other KZbin videos and used google

[@tracyedwards3192]

@@mikes4x4garage ok. Thanks. Unfortunately I’m not doing it to a jeep. I’m doing it to a straight axel swap Chevy. At least you gave me a starting point

[@hmcalequin4854]

Did you have a need for a cooler??? I see or heard no mention of one in this video, unless I missed it...

[@mikes4x4garage]

Yeah I have a cooler, just a small one for power steering systems. You might as well if you’re doing this.

[@TheFasonJranklin]

@@mikes4x4garage can you show where you plumbed that in?

[@mikes4x4garage]

@@TheFasonJranklin shoot me a dm on Instagram and I’ll show ya

[@TheFasonJranklin]

@@mikes4x4garage I don't IG.

[@Ambassadeur221]

5:42 in the video he shows the cooler

[@drewb1162]

What axel was this done on seeing you used an 8” stroke?

[@mikes4x4garage]

This is on my Dana 30, the 6” stoke would probably work better, but I do plan on upgrading some day and keeping this ram.

[@Alujan56]

What is the difference between the 8 inch stroke to the 6 inch? No issues with the 8 on the Dana 30? I have. About Dana 30 and have a Dana 60 that is plan on swapping in but like the idea of using the same 8 inch as you mentioned on a larger axle.

[@fernando427]

What steering setup is that? Is that a cross over steering kit?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Cavfab kit modified 1” longer tie rod and 1” shorter drag link

[@fernando427]

@@mikes4x4garage thank you! Why did you have to modify? Did you have to move your track bar ?

[@paulhead]

What trac bar bracket is that?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Rubicon express

[@mikes4x4garage]

The axle side is artec

[@joejimenez5399]

How is this holding up?

[@mikes4x4garage]

Great! Couple little things I’ve changed 1. I cut off the links on the hydraulic cylinder and welded on Heim joints. These are a lot better without any play in the joint 2. My steering box died after about a year, highly recommend getting a sector shaft brace when running bigger tires. 3. I had to swap the lines around so they wouldn’t interfere or get hit. The longer hydraulic line I had face the other direction and this took the slack out. Overall, still my favorite upgrade I’ve done to this Jeep.

[@joejimenez5399]

@@mikes4x4garage You should do a follow up review video.