DIY Hydro Assist, Dana 44 Truss, Steering box skid plate modification, Jeep Wrangler TJ

In this video I Install hydraulic assist the easiest and cheapest way possible on my Jeep. In doing so I run into a few issues and work through it. I also have to stretch my Steering box, and build a truss to mount the hydro assist to. This is by far the best upgrade I have installed on the jeep.
DIY4X steering box cap: diy4x.com/product.php?product...
Barnes 4WD tube clamp: www.barnes4wd.com/Tube-Clamp-...
Make sure you use the coupon code “muddybeards” for 10% off
Steering box drill and tap kit: www.amazon.com/shop/muddybear...
Durango NON-snow package
Napa Part#: NSP277588
Swap only good on '97 - '02 model TJs
Durango gear needed: '98 or '99, V8 engine. We prefer the NON-Snow gear for it's slightly faster turning.
Hydraulic assist cylinder I used: www.surpluscenter.com/Hydraul...
Check out our website: muddybeards4x4.wixsite.com/my...
Amazon Store: www.amazon.com/shop/muddybear...
Get 10% off your purchase at Barnes4wd with this link or use “muddybeards” at checkout
www.barnes4wd.com/?ApplyPromo...
Get your OnX Offroad Free trial and use Coupon code “Muddybeards” for 20% off your subscription. subscribe.onxmaps.com/offroad...
Get 10% off your Yes Welder purchase and using coupon code “muddybeards”
yeswelder.com/?ref=dVU5yUQ6
Yankum Ropes: yankum.com?afmc=1v
Get 10% off Olight Products, with coupon code “muddybeards4x4” www.olightstore.com/s/8A018Z
Get 12% off the Setpower AJ30/40/50 With the coupon code: “MuddyBeards4X4”
www.setpowerusa.com/discount/...
Tools I Use, MotivXTools: www.motivxtools.com/
10% off coupon code: muddy
www.setpowerusa.com/discount/...
DISCLAIMER: Due to factors out of the control of Muddy Beards 4X4, we cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorized modifications of this information. Muddy Beards 4X4 assumes no liability or responsibility for property damages or injury incurred as a result of any information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Muddy Beards 4X4 recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and/or with tools seen in this video. Any injury, damage, or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Muddy Beards 4X4. Be safe! This video and description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, we receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows us to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@coreylakey2266]

My son and buddy had a blast watching you at reiter last weekend

[@jamesgoldman6711]

Very cool, I will for sure be doing this to my Tj. I have a tapped box right now but I think I will swap to a Dakota box and get the full benefits of this mod.

[@chadlloyd6247]

Awesome! Always learn a lot from your real world experience.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks 🤟🏻

[@MattSanipass81]

Love that you still use a 44 up front

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Works great🤟🏻

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Used your “punch peppering” technique this evening on a nutsert that started to spin before fully compressing using the nut and bolt install method. I used a punch in the side that interacts with the nutsert and was able to fully seat it! Thanks for the idea for a different use!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Nice man, glad I could help

[@TheBeardedJeeper]

Awesome build brother looks great!

[@VictorVectorJKU]

Good video Kelly, also some good points that someone doing this might overlook.

[@KyleHarris17]

love the videos man always giving me new ideas

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

🤟🏻Thanks

[@alderbottomoutdoors9794]

I have scout II that I’m going to add this to. You and fabrats are my favorite you tubers. I’m up in whatcom county and hunt at Elbe, can’t wait to wheel there, probably still a year away yet. Full LS rebuild and swap happening right now. Need to learn how to film. Great vid!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Nice, thanks 👊🏻 sounds like a great project.

[@ArcticBlues1]

I am really glad to see that you learned something from that old sloppy hub you had to replace on your front axel :) I cant recommend center punchin stuff however, it can be a great temp fix for some things and a perm fix for others :) Keep up the great work!

[@Sniperssx]

Dana 44 with big axle nice

[@tonyb2086]

That'll work, i like the steer box brace/skid. I noticed the chops, i thought it was a diffrent person?!??! Cool show👍

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Lol. Thanks man.

[@zacharybarlow3960]

Nice work!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks👊🏻

[@yetigrant8843]

Good work 👍👍

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks ✌️

[@SevenSlotSociety]

Dude awesome video! I have to do some of the same things here soon on the YJ

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks man🤟🏻

[@islandoff-roadadventures]

Great video!!! My Jeep build is very similar to yours and after watching this video i will be going with the same DIY hydro end cap so I do have a question in regards to the hose length used would be nice to just order the hoses at the same time as the ram. Thanks in advance keep up the great work

[@6daemonic6]

Looks good man. I really feel like those super tall triple double shear high steer knuckles should be machined from billet or even better yet from forgings rather than welded together. Been waiting to get mine installed trying to figure out exactly how I want to do it.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Yup, I just don’t want to put out the cash for a Reid knuckle. The way I have it now has been great, no issues.

[@lukewalker1116]

Like what your doing man! Your content just keeps getting better! I would like to ask what happened to that s10 build your buddy was doing awhile back? Possible to revisit? I have a zr2 awaiting me to get started on. You guys and all your Jeep stuff got me sidetracked and I have started a cj5 build 67. Nothing crazy just trying to get it going. Pretty close. Do you have to manually turn your wheel back to center? From lock to return? Does this question make sense!? I recently drove a big jlg lift about a quarter mile. It had hydraulic steering that I had to physically turn it back to center. Curious if that's how your steering is.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks, the S10 is all finished he is just saving up for same rcv axle shafts for the 44, he broke 2 stock ones already. The CJ sounds like a cool build, wish I had the room and money for more projects. The hydro assist does, kind of return to center. It is just very slow and not as responsive in that aspect. You have to kinda give it a little nudge to go back. Thanks for watching 👊🏻

[@Shawnee845]

You would think A JK would have a bigger high volume steering pump. So now I'm wondering would a Cherokee Jeep steering box fit on A JK

[@LuckyWill311]

How do you like the Bauer band saw? I've been thinking about getting one but some of the reviews are not so good. Great work as always!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I haven't had any problems with it. has worked great for me so far.

[@zodiac8208]

Sell to me the smaller cap!! Can’t find it! And great video as always!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Lol, Thanks, already sold it. But they have them here. diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17691&page=1

[@zodiac8208]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Im try, but is calling directly to them. The bad news is they don’t answer call or emails.

[@zodiac8208]

I get the cap!!! Finally!! Hope i start the project next week! Thanks for your awesome videos!!

[@imhann98]

Just curious but why not make the ram mount on the punkin housing and the other end to your tie rod? That way you don’t need to worry about a welded bracket on your knuckle and just use the knuckle the traditional way, great video👍🏻

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thanks. I guess you didn’t watch the whole video, lol. That’s what I did.

[@JudahsTreeFarm]

I am changing to an S10 steering box that I've also seen people use as an upgrade on a TJ/XJ mainly because advanced auto parts accidentally put them on sale for $20😂 Im just now really looking into hydro assist. Need to see if those caps will work with mine

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Yes it will work with a s10 box, it is the 3” cap. I have an s10 box and just measured it👍🏻

[@ArialStacy]

Im trolling now. Check out how Astro van steering boxes set up/mounted its quite nifty and compact.

[@JudahsTreeFarm]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 thank you!!!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Astro van box will not work on a Jeep, the pitman arm goes the wrong. I don’t want people to get wrong information.

[@milkeyjake]

Any idea on the part number for the fittings that’s go to the ram?

[@brandonburris8616]

Can I ask what you plan to do with the end piece that didn’t fit? I plan to do this with my XJ thanks to your guys video but haven’t bought any parts yet.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I sold it to a buddy, good luck on the project.👍🏻

[@brandondumond452]

Did you leave the info for the hydraulic ram? I may have missed it

[@J-Bert]

Great video! New subscriber! What 44 are you running?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Thank man, it’s a high pinion 44 out of a 76 f150

[@J-Bert]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 nice! It seems to have held up pretty good. Im working on putting a hp44/60 set in my yj. Good to see others having success with the 44

[@Shawnee845]

Which steering box do you have. I don't have it where I can change the front cap. And I don't know what to ask for. 2007 jeep Rubicon.

[@ambitionmotorperformance7436]

How long of are the hydraulic lines and what size are they

[@Bodeesafa]

Looking good. Did you modify pump to help with power?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

It is a stock replacement pump from PSC. So it’s not more powerful but higher quality.

[@zodiac8208]

How many feet of hose you use? Thanks again!

[@chrisdesrui]

What year is your TJ?? ive been researching this and have seen 03 and up they changed boxes to a mercedes box so i am wondering if this still similar in parts??

[@johnnydelvalle5227]

I am having trouble putting on the hydro cap, do you have any installation tips?

[@kenskens69]

hello can you tell me how long are your hydraulic line thanks

[@jerrywhalen2100]

Thinking about doing the same thing on my TJ how long were the hoses that you purchased

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I don’t remember exactly how long, but I would droop the front axle all the way out and use a string to measure from both mounting points so you can get the correct length with the routing that you need.

[@TheTreadLife_]

Ummm. Muddy no beard? I can’t say I love it ;)

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

🤣

[@mr.caceres305]

I have a question on the front cap. I put it on my mj and the front cap is leaking from the front fitting. How do you keep yours from leaking

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Ptfe thread sealer and make sure it is the proper fitting with npt threads.

[@adambluesr.9030]

How far out would you say your hose sticks out off the diy4x cap? I purchased the cap to do this on my 5.9zj but after looking its gonna be a tight fit to do this I'm thinking.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I don’t have it anymore to check,but I would say about 2” off the cap. But mine was a larger swivel joint.

[@adamswaz4878]

are both fittings on the box 3/8-18 npt males?

[@christopherhill2671]

Does the 6in ram get lock to lock turning or would you recommend going with the 8in from the get go

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

It depends on your setup, take the time to measure to make sure. But I plan on going to the 8” ram. I will need to make a few modifications to my lower control arms for tire clearance first.

[@lewy1]

How do you Center the ram?

[@dustys3320]

Do you think the stock TJ steering box/pump has enough power to run the assist, or would it be better to upgrade to the dakota box. I am running 1 ton crossover steering and 37's. I have the box braced now, but I ripped the steering box off of the frame on the Rubicon several years ago.

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

All the stock stuff should be fine. I am running a stock pump.

[@chubbyb5718]

Get rid of that end cap and do it properly. I found out the hard way.

[@ArialStacy]

LOL He said. it will get smashed on a rock imediately. haha. yep!

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Nope, it has a skid plate, I modified the skid to fit in this video, guess you didn’t watch the whole thing.. help up great for years

[@ArialStacy]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 Thanks for the replies. I Fixed my comment wasn't trying to rank on you. Its obvious you know how to build quality wheelers. I have watched this video several times. I agree it will get smashed with out a guard. It was funny how you said it.

[@jeepindave5464]

I know your jeep isnt a pavement pounder, but i want to do this eventually. Any comments on hydro assist at speed?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

The fastest I have driven it on a paved road was about 35 and it felt really stable. Forest roads are awesome with it, it takes all the potholes and it doesn’t transfer it to the wheel like a huge stabilizer.

[@ryanhubble9157]

Run one daily on a tj drives awesome

[@jeepindave5464]

@@ryanhubble9157 thank you

[@ArialStacy]

can the factory steering box cap be drill and tapped

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

It’s pretty thin, I would tig weld a fitting on the stock cap, but it would only be temporary.

[@ArialStacy]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 I figured it waas to thin. tig-N a fitting is a great idea! If the cap is not poor quality alloy mistery metal. Sound like the smart choice is to buy the billet cap. Hopefully it comes with stickers :)

[@bobbysmith4726]

Do you have a cooling system for the hydro assist? Or just run it

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I do run a small cooler in front of the radiator, good catch, I forgot to mention that. I have had that on there even before the hydro assist.

[@bobbysmith4726]

@@MuddyBeards4X4 thank you I appreciate it! Trying to piece together a hydro assist and not spend 1700 dollars on a psc kit

[@marrag1]

where did you order the hoses from?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

Had them made locally.

[@jeffrosecordsy4554]

What’s the stroke on your ram?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

6”, but I am working on trying to get a 8” to work.

[@jeffrosecordsy4554]

I just put a 8 on my 99 wj that has a 79 Ford 44 up front. And I was curious cause me ram try’s to out turn my box. Was wondering if you had a 8 and if it gave you the same issue is you the box the same as a wj?

[@MuddyBeards4X4]

I have not figured out the 8” yet. I would like to but I fear I will have the same issues as you are. You definitely do not want the ram over extending your box, as it will eventually break the box. I have a Dakota box which I believe has slightly less then than a stock tj.

[@jeffrosecordsy4554]

I live on the Olympic peninsula we should wheel together some time.

[@jeffrosecordsy4554]

I just ordered a 6” stroke ram to correct the issue for now.

[@user-pm5od6rk4v]

Do your steering box the right way. Have it tapped. Those end caps aren’t the way to go. Your loosing %30 of your pressure by not utilizing the ports

[@chubbyb5718]

You have to heat that knuckle a lot. Gotta be hot. Or use a stick with a nickel plated rod