Power Steering Boost Valve from Apex - JL/JT

Today we install and test out a new product from Apex! The Apex Performance Steering Boost Kit for the JL and JT model Jeeps.
It replaces the valve on your factory steering pump for an adjustable valve fitted with a higher tensioned spring, allowing up to a 40% INCREASE in PSI! The valve itself may be small, but it packs a punch! The increase in performance also comes with an in increase in temperatures, so the kit also includes a small cooler meant to be placed behind your grill or bumper.
The install itself is simple but a lot of parts are going to have to come off before you can get to where you need to work. The fenders, factory air box, front bumper and grill have to come off. While it's certainly involved, we were thoroughly impressed with the steering performance boost, especially on a set of 37" tires. The 40's handled quite well too, although off-road with low tire pressure will likely put a tough strain on a factory gear box.
If you have any questions about the install, the tools we used, or where to get one feel free to REACH OUT in the comments, we'd love to hear from you!
APEX PERFORMANCE 1.1 STEERING BOOST KIT W/ COOLER -
www.northridge...
MOPAR Fender Clips - 'Cause you always need these in your parts bin!
www.northridge...
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00:00 Apex Boost Kit
01:32 Removal and Prep
05:54 Apex Valve Installation
09:08 Apex Cooler Installation
15:50 Bleed & Fill
18:41 Adjusting Valve Pressure
20:16 Road Test
24:22 Where to Get Your Apex Boost Kit
NORTHRIDGE4X4 WEBSITE www.northridge...
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[@woosch]

Going to go to all that effort, might as well replace it all with a PSC kit.

[@drrockf4d]

Was thinking this would be a cheaper short term upgrade until PSC but doesn't seem worth it with all that work. Rather wait and go full PSC.

[@kirbytheap]

I’ve been making it rain $$$$ at Northridge4x4. Another great looking product I’ll be getting.

[@gslse21b]

Nice , I just put a small washer in my stock valve . 1500 psi with hydro assist . I also opened the flow a little to help with quick transitions

[@stefanoramon4268]

How did you open the flow? Did you drill something out?

[@gooseberry769]

I’ve seen 4 installation videos . Yours is the best by far. Thank you. But installing in on a diesel is a wholly different story.

[@taraaaron1242]

I'd like to see that installed on a ecodiesel. Is it worse that this.

[@gooseberry769]

@@taraaaron1242 not really. It’s not difficult, just a bit laborious . I made a mistake that cost me some time - you don’t have to unmount the steering pump.

[@Silver_sen7inel]

we will definitely need a follow up from a wheeling trip on this item....

[@northridgenation]

Definitely! We were so excited about this product, we wanted to push this video out now. Will get it on the trail and report back soon.

[@taraaaron1242]

@@northridgenation looking forward to that video

[@zacharyfike1071]

Ive been waiting to see these.

[@karmicforce01]

This looks like an interesting product. FIt and fitment is the primary concern given the wide variety of bumpers/winch combos. I'd eventually like to see a video/opinion with a stock rubicon bumper/warn winch set up. Tolerances are tight as it is. Although the product install looks straight forward, the cooler placement is of some concern especially with factory sway bar disconnect/etc. At about $400 it's a bargain compared to the PSC setup. I will be waiting to see an offroad eval and see how it holds up.

[@MrTungdin]

Right. I am thinking of going with the Evo Quarter Pounder and flipping my Sway Bar disconnect. Not sure if this would still fit. If I knew it would, I would purchase both today.

[@lembowski9061]

You can use any cooler, PSC has one that goes in front of the radiator if that works better. Apex sells just the valve separate from the cooler.

[@guycarroll5366]

Great video

[@radcoolade1481]

To bad ithis product is discontinued. Great video. Fab work on point 👍.

[@northridgenation]

It really is a great product and no worries @kevin paulsen, they will be back available soon!

[@Grendel6002]

Can't get over how you say "cooler." lol

[@kstack34]

So much work for such a small mod (size wise)

[@northridgenation]

Yes, a lot of work, but definitely worth it.

[@rubicon4wheeler]

Wow, great product, but that's sure a lot of work to install that valve.

[@northridgenation]

Very! But if you have 37s +, it makes a huge difference.

[@drrockf4d]

Nothing more jeep than the cracked windshield

[@northridgenation]

Yep, we've got the dreaded JL crack, lol!

[@jamesmerkel9442]

I wonder if braided aluminum lines would not also help w/cooling vs rubber hose.

[@northridgenation]

Braided lines do dissipate heat better than rubber. That said, the Apex cooler is awesome and more than adequate to cool your power steering fluid in even the most severe conditions.

[@JEEPIMPACT]

I have 37's and wheeled all over and never noticed anything wrong with the steering.

[@northridgenation]

There is nothing wrong with the steering, just slower.

[@luisan027]

if I want to upgrade to PSC, can I still use the APEX cooler?

[@northridgenation]

Yes.

[@lincolnmicrophonellc]

Anxiety watching a fender being pulled for the first time.

[@northridgenation]

Right???? Definitely a puckering moment. 😂

[@luisan027]

please share the list of tools required for this installation

[@northridgenation]

The only real specialty tools need for this one was the inch-lb torque wrench. You can usually rent, beg or borrow one from your local big box auto parts store.

[@hatenlebron]

What year JL? On my '21 the line routing is a little different I think.

[@northridgenation]

The JL in the video is a 2018. Just ran down and looked at a 2021 in the shop, the power steering lines are ran the same and the 2018.

[@robertbarclay4482]

Anybody know why Northridge discontinued this product? It's for sale elsewhere, but I'm just curious if there was something that happened and became a faulty issue or something..

[@northridgenation]

We've got them in stock! www.northridge4x4.com/part/hydraulic-steering-kits/x02-04-002-apex-performance-steering-boost-kit-w-cooler

[@pareoprosumdeus4754]

Little late to this but if yall are still checking this.......what dose this do to the longevity of the pump?

[@northridgenation]

All depends on how bad you abuse it. We've been daily driving this Wrangler with the Apex valve and 37s since April and no problems yet.

[@kyleoakes4338]

installed this on a 2020 gladiator with 40's and it works awesome!! only question is the pump seems to be whining now. Anyone have any advice on that? Thanks!

[@northridgenation]

Try bleeding it some more.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

bigger reservoir steering bottle would b an easy upgrade as well. Hve 2 separate fill bottles instead of 1. Then if bottle is bigger & u can switch from bottle 1 to using bottle 2 u can allow cooling time on the oil of A while running B bottle w/turn of valve lever.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

looks like $200 dollar upgrade after the fact + price of prt or do it your>self

[@jamesmerkel9442]

The cooler is a great idea no need to hve 1 prt w/out the other.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

Can they make the replacement prt on the ++ upgrade hve 1 n2 two springs option, that way 1 spring handles ok but 2 lines even better. That way more oil still, & more cooling double size & if u lost a line/side u could isolate the leaking line.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

installing cooler atleast $100 dollars more but w/real hose clamps though.

[@letseeplan]

What’s that tool you used to cut the metal called? Thanks!

[@northridgenation]

We used a grinder with a cut-off wheel.

[@eh4623]

Might as well do a whole engine swap while you're at it.

[@alphaartisan]

Yup😂

[@JoseRodriguez-lg6mk]

lmao how much wrenching have you done

[@guidedbyvoices7424]

May I ask what the actual total install time for this kit?

[@northridgenation]

Depending on mechanical aptitude, plan 4-6 hours.

[@camerongreen3138]

Does your pump scream like hell now? I can hear mine under 50 mph. Filled it up like you did in the video, pressure it dead nuts in the center of the green, and the reservoir is full. No leaks and the steering is butter but the pump is screaming like hell.

[@northridgenation]

No, our is quiet.

[@turboleggy]

Did you fix it? Does this maker your Steering more responsive?

[@camerongreen3138]

@@turboleggy no still whines but not as loud. I notice it more wheb sitting beside another car in a drive thrpugh line. Steering is butter smooth though.

[@turboleggy]

@camerongreen3138 nice. I want the steering to feel more responsive. Does it help with that? Mine is sloppy, and there is a dead spot feeling near the top center. I'm hoping a geometry correction helps that.

[@camerongreen3138]

@@turboleggy i dont know if it will help with responsiveness. I came from GM trucks to the Jeep world and the Jeep steering is 1000x better than the GM steering. My biggest reason for the Apex kit was to steer 37s in the rocks without having to go full hydro.

[@jamesmerkel9442]

God, at a min this should b an installed prt just give factory a fair rate on the special patent prt if there is a patent new idea or service. If not a new idea then again give factory a good bulk prt price. No rubicon should b sold w/out PSC steering system.

[@jrod4538]

fiat don’t give a shit. They probably don’t like JEEPS anyway, just the profits.

[@apexpredator_jku]

Idk if I't's even worth spending money & all that wrenching to upgrade a steering system with a jenky aluminum steering box at the helm.

[@ZroCool_Garage]

Get the updated version from the dealership...

[@paulmercado328]

get the updated one if yours below 2020, show them the TSB steering updated then this unit is probably worth a buy