Hydro assist with stock push/pull steering?

[muddermilitia]

I have a friend with a m1009 on a 4" lift, 3/4 ton axles and 38.5 boggers. He has a real hard time turning the tires when he's going through the trails and he wants to put hydro assist on the truck. It will still be driven on the street so full hydro is a no go.

He is saving money to buy a trailer, so he has no funds to put towards a dana 60 or crossover and hydro assist. So he is wondering how to go about installing hydro assist on the dana 44 in a way that most of the parts could be swapped over once he goes to a dana 60 and crossover (probably wouldn't happen till next year or so)

Thanks

 

[MTBLAZER89]

It has been discussed here several times and I think the consensus is that is not a good idea. When the pass side drops out and you lose the ability to steer due to drag link angle the ram will still attempt to move the tie rod as steering pressure is applied. This will cause a mismatch in mechanical and hydraulic steering. Something will give and it probably won't be the ram.

Now if it isn't a real flexy suspension and the steering is just weak because of the push pull then I am sure it will help, but just be aware the two systems could fight eachother in the situation mentioned above.

 

[Deuling]

Just do the cheaper crossover setup using the tie rod end with a hole in it at the passenger side. Find a used 2wd box and have cheaper crossover that will work fine.

 

[muddermilitia]

It has been discussed here several times and I think the consensus is that is not a good idea. When the pass side drops out and you lose the ability to steer due to drag link angle the ram will still attempt to move the tie rod as steering pressure is applied. This will cause a mismatch in mechanical and hydraulic steering. Something will give and it probably won't be the ram.

Now if it isn't a real flexy suspension and the steering is just weak because of the push pull then I am sure it will help, but just be aware the two systems could fight each other in the situation mentioned above.

Hmm I didn't even think about that, but it does make sense

Just do the cheaper crossover setup using the tie rod end with a hole in it at the passenger side. Find a used 2wd box and have cheaper crossover that will work fine.

I will tell him to look into that. Thanks

 

[Smokinthehippies]

It has been discussed here several times and I think the consensus is that is not a good idea. When the pass side drops out and you lose the ability to steer due to drag link angle the ram will still attempt to move the tie rod as steering pressure is applied. This will cause a mismatch in mechanical and hydraulic steering. Something will give and it probably won't be the ram.

Now if it isn't a real flexy suspension and the steering is just weak because of the push pull then I am sure it will help, but just be aware the two systems could fight eachother in the situation mentioned above.

Yup

Just do the cheaper crossover setup using the tie rod end with a hole in it at the passenger side. Find a used 2wd box and have cheaper crossover that will work fine.

And yup

 

[dremu]

Find a used 2wd box

Or just swap sector shafts in situ, even cheaper/easier.

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147102

-- A

 

[max 02]

Just do the cheaper crossover setup using the tie rod end with a hole in it at the passenger side. Find a used 2wd box and have cheaper crossover that will work fine.

Is that safe? I might like that idea.

Is that the Norcal Chris way?

 

[Deuling]

Is that safe? I might like that idea.

Is that the Norcal Chris way?

Yes. I beleive pblaze did it also. And it's how jeeps are/were.

 

[Blue85]

I think one of the Petersen's Ultimate Adventure Chevy's had hydro assist with push/pull. From a hydraulic standpoint, the draglink arrangement doesn't really matter. Assuming you could keep it from binding, this setup would take a lot of stress off that front spring eye bushing (as would crossover) and the frame around the box.

 

[twoslo4five0]

Just do the cheaper crossover setup using the tie rod end with a hole in it at the passenger side. Find a used 2wd box and have cheaper crossover that will work fine.

Is that safe? I might like that idea.

Is that the Norcal Chris way?

Yes. I beleive pblaze did it also. And it's how jeeps are/were.

im running mine like that but in High steer with heims. Just like this. Just make sure you have a flex joint on one end, I'm running a TRE at the pitman arm

also to OP we have a guy who rode with us for years with stock push pull and hydro assist. Here is proof.

Same truck