What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

Does Hydro assist affect streetability?

Phil513

Phil513

Freakin' Sponge
GMOTM Winner
Joined
Mar 10, 2015
Posts
3,713
Reaction score
3,038
Location
Las Vegas
As some know from my "build" thread, which is mostly just a paint job so far, I'm a long way from all this, but I'm thinking ahead.

Say I go to a 3/4 ton set up, with 37's, Dana 44, and a front locker. From what I understand, a front locker pretty much begs for hydro assist.

In regular driving around town, or to and from a trail (this is a driver truck, not ever being trailered), is hydro assist a compromise? Or would I not notice it much?
 
Nah, i never noticed mine on a similar setup.
Given the option though, an ARB is a fantastic choice for a front locker
 
I noticed a difference when I installed it. That truck drove better than it ever had after I installed hydro assist.

It was explained to me that in normal driving the ram acts as a big strong steering stabilizer.
 
No complaints for me. Works just fine on the street.

On the trail without assist the front locker wanted to keep the wheels straight. The assist over comes that and keeps the locker from pushing the tires straight.
 
I think your answer lies in the size of the ram you choose. The larger the diameter (1.5", 1.75" or 2") the slower it's reaction (albeit fractional). Some people say it's no big deal, others say it's noticeable.
 
Be mindful of the ram size though. 1.5" is perfect for a street driven truck. The larger ones will give more power assist, but will slow the steering down some.
I run a 1.75" ram and it wont turn as fast as it did before hydro assist, but it will turn any time I want it to, even when the wheels are bound up.
 
Some of the lethargy caused by the ram size can be overcome by pump and pressure modifications, but only partially. I spent several years trying to push the pump harder, with limited returns.

Using a smaller ram for the street is the best advice given yet.



I can show you how to build enough pump pressure to bomb the hose...
 
The only thing I notice on mine is that the steering wheel doesn't return to center after a turn. You have to turn the wheel back to go straight.

Not a big deal, but something that hasn't been mentioned.
 
I'm considering hooking my hydro assist up. I had it on my crawler, but never drove it on the street. It will going on my street Burb with one tons and crossover. I've been hesitant on running it on a street queen. Maybe you guys will convince me otherwise.

I have terrible return to center already, so that's not really an issue. Mine just wanders all over the road at the moment.
 
I never noticed that issue with mine. But it came back to center before the hydro
 
any of you guys run the 1.75" PSC on the street? That's what I have sitting on the work bench.
 
WJACKSON11X said:
I'm considering hooking my hydro assist up. I had it on my crawler, but never drove it on the street. It will going on my street Burb with one tons and crossover. I've been hesitant on running it on a street queen. Maybe you guys will convince me otherwise.

I have terrible return to center already, so that's not really an issue. Mine just wanders all over the road at the moment.
Click to expand...

I already had the parts and planned to install them when I did mine. The thing that pushed me to install it was to cover up a case of death wobble I had after swapping to a Dana 60 front.

I just had to use my blazer as a daily driver for a few weeks and having hydro-assist was not anything that concerned me while driving, and never has before it was in DD status.
 
I run hydro assist on my truck that gets drove to the trails as well. No complaints at all with how it acts on the street, cured the slight death wobble I had at slow speeds too.
 
Not to be calling anyone out our nothin, but good idea to solve the death wobble before adding the ram. Otherwise the mechanical issue is still present, just with a band aid on it.
 
85 Jimmy said:
I already had the parts and planned to install them when I did mine. The thing that pushed me to install it was to cover up a case of death wobble I had after swapping to a Dana 60 front.

I just had to use my blazer as a daily driver for a few weeks and having hydro-assist was not anything that concerned me while driving, and never has before it was in DD status.
Click to expand...

I got death wobble after I installed my D60. Bought the parts kit from ORD for a rebuild, and death wobble is gone. The old springs were wore out. The old king pins were still in good shape but I went ahead and installed the new set and kept the old for spares.
 
When I put my 60 in I rebuilt the kingpins. I ended up fixing my caster angle also, but that was after the hydro assist was on. I was also running 52's in the front and have switched back to my lift springs. So I don't know if the DW is fixed or not, but it's not there now.
 
I run a 1.5" ram on mine and most of the time there is no difference on the street. The only issue, which is probably specific to having hydroboost, is that when you are using the brakes (engine basically at idle) to slow down for a turn and then turn the wheel it can feel pretty heavy. I'm sure that is because the brakes have first priority on the fluid pressure. This was noticed just in some situations and I've learned to compensate for it. I have never noticed any difference in the return to center of the steering.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom