JEEP XJ: WJ Steering Pump Swap

[@jeffd1467]

In the WJ, the hi pressure supply line from the pump goes to the hydrofan, the hydrofan hi pressure return goes to the gearbox, the gearbox return goes to that large outlet on the reservoir. The smaller outlet is where the cooler/filter bypass returns to the reservoir. So with the XJ, just forget the hydrofan. Hi pressure goes directly to gearbox. Return goes to large outlet (Just like this video shows) Now, that small outlet is a perfect place to return your own filter bypass. You do not have to reconnect back to the main return line. This way, the filter isn't restricting pump flow.

[@francisbrackney2061]

I have tried several brands of power steering fluid, and so far have had the very best of luck with Lucas brand in the gray bottle. And if you plow, or have large tires on your truck, I recommend adding about 10% to 20% of the Lucas power steering Additive.

[@weshawkins7165]

I’ve got an 88 Cherokee and am doing this swap now and have found out the pressure valve adapters are not the same diameter and tread and the XJ pressure hose adapter will not thread into and tighten down. I’m going to have to go to a hydraulic hose shop an$ have a hose made to fit.

[@electricZ0MBIE23]

I think it should definitely be noted that this won't work for ALL XJ's. Renix has a different bracket and mounts very slightly different. Bolts are different. Can't bolt on and didn't realize until I tried to put it on. Was mislead it would work.

[@briang3914]

I did this swap about a month ago, replaced absolutely everything... red head steering gear, borgeson steering shaft, HD lines, and a lares wj pump brand new from rock auto. I drilled out the fitting, swapped everything over, tightened it up, and even went as far as to remove the fuel pump relay and distributer coil when turning over the pump. At first crank I was cautious as to not let the reservoir run empty. Lines were hooked up and the excessory port blocked correctly with absolutely no leaks. I took my time attempting to bleed the system and it would foam like crazy! After nearly 10 minutes of carefully attempting to bleed the system and letting the foam die down I just let it sit overnight and attempted the same thing the next day. Little by little it seemed to get better, but in my experience I have never had issues bleeding a PS system to this extent. After the 3rd day the air was gone and I attempted to take my xj down the street. It seemed to turn with no issues but felt odd going in a straight line, as if the pump was overpowering the wheel making it feel extremely loose. It was annoying to say the least but worked. Drove it 20 miles just fine, parked it at the house and the next day decided to take it to work. 15 miles in on my drive to work the pump just completely stopped working. Did not make a sound, it just abruptly shit itself. So I got to work the old fashioned way and parked it to inspect under the hood. Levels were fine, not a single leak, pulley was straight and true but no PS. I still have no idea what happened or would have caused this but I left it to sit a few days before ordering and installing a new wj pump last night. Similar issues off the bat. Lots of foaming and steering seems off. I am not sure if you had similar issues but if this one goes I will be looking for an alternative pump. Before this I had a stock steering gear and shaft with the stock PS pump, although my wheel had horrific play in it the pump handled it just fine with a slight whine. I am on an 8" lift with 37s, trussed and locked dana 30 front and 8.8 rear.

[@trailandco]

I actually had similar issues. I could not bleed these for the life of me. It never made sense. When I realized I had the return on the wrong fitting that helped and I finally got a working pump. Much like you it abruptly went out on me, albeit several months later. Since then I went with an AGR super pump. I'm not sure I'd reccomend that either as I have similar issues, this time with a remote reservoir and AN lines. I wS convinced it was the stock reservoirs that were leaking. I still have no idea what the issue was it made no sense. Maybe lares just sucks, that's who I was getting the pumps from

[@paulhead]

@@trailandco So did you resolve this? Is this swap still worth it or should I just get a PSC pump? Looking to go hydro

[@GameGangg]

i have the same stock setup. Do you have an update?

[@imhann98]

Great video man! This is going to help me out so much👍🏻

[@trailandco]

Glad it helped!

[@jeremiragsdale860]

Eric law

[@sanddabs159]

The LARES pump does not work for this swap anymore. The thread on the high-pressure fitting is too large for the fitting you take off the XJ pump.

[@Rod-cu5yr]

I am in the middle of doing this swap and noticed this issue when I was reassembling. Have you found a fix for this?

[@sanddabs159]

@@Rod-cu5yr I welded the fitting on. I wasnt really satisfied with it and got a new pump

[@pdub1247]

Great video! What size drill bit did you use on your fitting? Thanks!

[@cheepojeepo5681]

so did you notice a difference between pumps? Please post an update, thanks.

[@jefferybrydson9616]

What sort of issues were you having? I'm getting mixed information on doing this upgrade.

[@imhann98]

Do you have to use your old xj pulley? or can you use the pulley that comes with the wj steering pump in your xj

[@trailandco]

Thats a good question. I used my same XJ pulley, I would do that to be safe. My new PS pump also didnt come with a pulley on it.

[@stevebibey4871]

What brand of power steering pump did you use

[@fishnfreak04]

What size do you drill it out to

[@Monkey_foot_outdoors]

Why couldn't you put a reducer in rather than drill and replace the fitting?

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

That’s what I was thinking ?

[@moejr14]

How does the Durango steering box do?

[@francisbrackney2061]

In your video, the WJ fitting looks like it is about a 1/4" longer than the XJ fitting. On the bottom end that goes into the pump. Am I right?

[@trailandco]

Yes it is longer but that didn't seem to be an issue

[@nu.supply8482]

what power steering fluid should i use?

[@ProjectNotSoSlow]

I blacked the bottom return also and my pump wines super loud. I'll try to connect the return to the bottom now

[@trailandco]

Yes definitely connect to the bottom return

[@traviswilson9180]

can i do this upgrade before i upgrade the gearbox?

[@martinmangano3527]

Did you means by Lares Company on RockAuto? Just want to make sure.

[@trailandco]

Correct

[@brandonc.9244]

You can also just drill the XJ fitting to 3/16s on your stock pump and get that lighter steering and all while saving saving ton of money and hassle by doing this swap. Learned the hard way cause I did this swap and had a pump that didn’t quite work right. Would whine at acceleration and grind at lock. Save your money and time, just don’t do this swap

[@trailandco]

I have to agree. I ended up going back to stock later. Too many issues with the pumps I kept getting

[@bluebell2586]

So you’re no longer running a WJ pump?

[@trailandco]

I switched to an AGR super pump and remote res. But honestly I don't like it at all and thinking about trying the WJ pump again

[@bluebell2586]

@@trailandco I grabbed one from the junkyard with a Durango box and didn’t do any sort of orifice drilling at all and it’s worked out just fine not a ton better than stock, but hopefully can handle more abuse

[@jeremyhanna3852]

Fyi if your power steering pump tenisons the engine belt you can't do any of this swap it will not fit in the brackets

[@89lxman]

Really good to know

[@antihero961]

When you had issues with this. Did you experience loss of PS when you brake? I also notice there is no fluid moving in the reservoir while running. I drilled out to 5/32 to see if that helped and nothing changed. I had the lines swapped originally and my gear box gave me issues. I’m starting to thing I got a bad gear box and I need to swap those lines back. Any thoughts ?

[@trailandco]

Loss of power at a stop is definitely the pump. Supposedly the fitting in the pump that leads to the high pressure line has a spring and it can get stuck sideways causing this. Or, a small amount of air in your system has over time caused the walls of the pump permanently damaging it and only giving you power steering when on the gas. A good way to test this, do you have full power steering when you cold start the truck? And does it fade away once the truck warms up? If so thats what happened. This is what inevitably happened to my WJ pump.

[@antihero961]

@@trailandco it’s a brand new pump along with the gearbox. Redhead gearbox and I can’t remember the pump but it’s not cheap. I thought that was the issue after install so I warranties it out and put in a new pump. Same issue and then I lost PS completely. I’m going to swap the lines back tomorrow and see what happens. Maybe the reducer is causing the issue. I’m not sure.

[@Zeppig123]

hey man odd question, just did this swap on my jeep and was bleeding it out when all of the sudden the return line just blew off and shot powersteering fluid everywhere

[@trailandco]

Sounds like you might need to get a hose clamp on it nice and tight. But I will also say this swap ended up giving me a bunch of issues and I moved on to a different system. Not sure if it was my fault or the parts but take all this with a grain of salt

[@FueledbyFaithRescue]

Hey bud do u have the info on what hose and fittings you used for the return?

[@trailandco]

Hey man sorry I dont, it was whatever I pieced together at the store ha

[@illuaions]

How do you like the cavfab steering? Noisy without the tie rod ends?

[@trailandco]

Yes if you dont spray them every month or two they will squeak but its not major

[@francisbrackney2061]

Do you know if the XJ fluid resivour is interchangeable with the WJ steering pump? Did you try to swap with one another to see if they would fit?

[@trailandco]

I didn't try this but I would venture to say they are likely the same reservoir

[@MrMrsregor]

most people say no, the xj reservoir will NOT connect to the wj pump

[@sotres1]

i have a 95 4 cyl xj will this work for my engine mounts and lines ?

[@trailandco]

I'm not sure to be honest

[@christophervillareal6151]

I did this upgrade and the pressure was so strong that it blew up the reservoir as in it started leaking everywhere

[@vin1322man]

Ive been trying this mod for months. I mean like 6 wj pumps. They keep blowing the seals from res to pump. This last one i did has "the right stuff" rtv and o rings between res and pump and its holding up alright.i also connected both return ports on res to steering box return to try and amend my excess suction pressure issue. I have yet another brand new wj pump im also going to try out cause my last revision (that is working with no leaks) makes noise.

[@christophervillareal6151]

@@vin1322man 🤣🤣🤣 I’m not laughing at you I’m laughing with you because I know your pain

[@vin1322man]

@@christophervillareal6151 dude its total insanity. If autozone didnt hook it up with warranties idk. Im installing a cheap ram, and a uswd psc box now. So i figured ill throw my last new pump i got in and see how it goes. Got a wheeling trip the 11th

[@vin1322man]

@@christophervillareal6151 i think this time around ill try to remove the wj fitting without removing the res. I might even find a reducer so i can leave the pump assembly completely alone just to eliminate any chance of error on my end. But after 6 tries and knowing ya o rings are good and they still blow apart, probably should try a trail gear pump or a psc.

[@dezertdestroyer7782]

Killer

[@kckneslo3852]

Yeet Yeet.