Hydro steering comparision.

[dangerdog]

If going all new pieces from the steering column to the knuckles it seems to be less money to do full hydro. Compared to a high steer assist. Some may say that the hydro does not have great road manners. But it must be better then the push pull. Which we all know sucks. Would like some feedback if money is not the issue which one you would pic and why.

 

[colbystephens]

Full hydro isn't legal on the road. Crossover steering with hydro is the way to go if you drive on the street.

 

[ion]

Sorry colby, full hydro is legal in nevada, i know many locals running it with no problems.

Also think about cement trucks, they are double ram full hydro systems and run on the street.

Also seen here >>http://www.liftlaws.com/nevada_lift_laws.htm

JJ

Edit: other sources, my uncle is an NHP trooper, and he looked it up and nothing is listed on it

 

[big pappa b]

Woohoo..nothing in Colorado

 

[ion]

The reason which I'm choosing full hydro with my build instead of assist, is full hydro has less moving parts to go wrong, it will hold the exact degree you point it and you can run it at speeds and make it safe with a load reactive orbital valve which will return to center like the factory steering does. And also with full hydro the power behind the steering is freaking huge compared to assist steering.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The reason which I'm choosing full hydro with my build instead of assist, is full hydro has less moving parts to go wrong, it will hold the exact degree you point it and you can run it at speeds and make it safe with a load reactive orbital valve which will return to center like the factory steering does.

The "holds the exact degree" part sounds like a non-reactive valve, return to center is a reactive valve.

And also with full hydro the power behind the steering is freaking huge compared to assist steering.

Absolutely untrue, of course it totally depends on the cylinder size, but by no means is a full hydraulic setup inherently more powerful. Even assist with a 2" cylinder is more powerful than most full hydro setups with 2.5" DE cylinders.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If going all new pieces from the steering column to the knuckles it seems to be less money to do full hydro. Compared to a high steer assist. Some may say that the hydro does not have great road manners. But it must be better then the push pull. Which we all know sucks. Would like some feedback if money is not the issue which one you would pic and why.

Push/pull sucks off road and with taller lifts, with lower lifts (say, less than 8") it works fine, with steering correction of course.

Full hydro, whether it's legal or not, is very uncomfortable at highway speeds. The stock steering box has a "soft spot" in the middle of it that, while many think means sloppy steering, actually makes it very easy to keep the truck going straight down the road with very little input.

Full hydro doesn't have that and driving it at speed requires constant 100% attention, constant left/right corrections (you're kind of never going straight, always left/right), two white knuckles on the wheel all the time, basically it isn't fun.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Push/pull sucks off road and with taller lifts, with lower lifts (say, less than 8") it works fine, with steering correction of course.

Full hydro, whether it's legal or not, is very uncomfortable at highway speeds. The stock steering box has a "soft spot" in the middle of it that, while many think means sloppy steering, actually makes it very easy to keep the truck going straight down the road with very little input.

Full hydro doesn't have that and driving it at speed requires constant 100% attention, constant left/right corrections (you're kind of never going straight, always left/right), two white knuckles on the wheel all the time, basically it isn't fun.

Been there, done that. He is absolutely right. Because of that, I have a full Howe setup for sale.

I could be wrong on this, but I remember being shown that federal standards state a mechanical link. So the states do not list it specifically. This was from a vehicle designer for GM.was years ago though.

 

[blazinzuk]

I have driven full hydro rigs on the street speeds up to about 50 were just fine much past that and as Chris and Wade said it gets pretty sketchy. I know guys who have driven their full hydro rigs much faster and say its fine but if i am doing much of any street driving it will be assist, trail rig that might see short juants on the street sure full hydro

To each their own.

As far as legality goes it is illegal kind of, but also legal.................kind of.

I dont think it will ever be a big enough issue that lawmakers will address it specifically.

I mean good grief in most states its illegal to have anything hanging from your rear view mirror.

If you get really technical with my states laws i cant carry my kids legally speaking in my Jimmy

 

[dangerdog]

It gets driven on the road some to get to trails and back. Not alot of pavement pounding. Thinking about the future if I decide to link the front, move the axel. As far as being legal. Not really a concern.

 

[80' 427]

Push/pull sucks off road and with taller lifts, with lower lifts (say, less than 8") it works fine, with steering correction of course.

Full hydro, whether it's legal or not, is very uncomfortable at highway speeds. The stock steering box has a "soft spot" in the middle of it that, while many think means sloppy steering, actually makes it very easy to keep the truck going straight down the road with very little input.

Full hydro doesn't have that and driving it at speed requires constant 100% attention, constant left/right corrections (you're kind of never going straight, always left/right), two white knuckles on the wheel all the time, basically it isn't fun.

Like trying to drive a tractor 60 mph. Hard enough at 20 mph.

 

[blazinzuk]

Like trying to drive a tractor 60 mph. Hard enough at 20 mph.

Truer words were never spoken!