Power sterining pressure boost

[sope]

I am doing my pump mods. I just installed a large cooler for my stock steering system and have high steer. My tires are 38 / 12.5's I have now dissasembled my pressure fitting and read this article. http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.com/powersteering.html

I'm just wondering who has done these mods and what parts of it they have done without an assist ram. I don't want to do any damage but I want more power. I want to try these mods before I go ahead with hydro assist. I wheel pretty hard and want the most power without damaging my box. How far have you guys gone and has anyone done any damage with these mods? I'll get on to something else for now and check this thread before I go ahead and install the washer. I forgot to add, my pump has two shims.

Thanks,
JP

 

[walla2k5]

I did all but add the washer. It's working out great so far and has improved the performance of the pump, by leaps and bounds. No hydro-assist yet, but looking to add it in the future.

 

[Bent77]

I ran my ps valve w/ 2 #4 washers in it for about 3 years after doing cross over. It didn't mess up the pump or box, but it did kill off the line i was using at the time.

I think the WTO site says to go one step at a time. If 1 washer does everything you want, don't fuss with it.



As for the other mods w/ the hydro assist, it is the chit! very happy with it!

 

[Mudstud]

I talked to dude at wto about my sitution (crossover- no ram yet!) and he told me to remove the shims (if present) and drill out the lil hole thingy. First or second time out I split the pressure line and have since replaced it with a new one. I think if you are gonna do this carry a spare pressure line and fluid just in case- or replace it now if yours is old. I didn't add a washer.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Before anyone modifies their pump I would strongly recommend that they replace it with a new/rebuilt one first. Here's my experience:

I put hydro assist on my truck a couple years back and wanted to modify the pump at the same time. I did the modifications on West Texas Offroad's site and the steering was *ok* at that point. My power steering pump was a NAPA rebuilt unit, about 5 years old at that point.

Right before Blazer Bash this year I had that power steering pump warrantied. I put the exact same modified fittings in the new pump (I returned a spare pump for the core, so I still had my previously used pump) and immediately blew all the seals out of the steering box . Since I was in a hurry (I was literally loading the truck onto the trailer when the steering box blew up) I just threw the stock fittings back in the pump.

My freshly rebuilt pump has more power than my modded one did. I don't plan on messing with this one, I'm pretty happy with my current setup.

 

[Bent77]

I was told not to swap out fittings from one to the other. Apparently your results show that makes poo...

 

[1-tonmudder]

I just got my hyrdo-assist done 2 weeks ago and used a new unmodified hydra-boost pump and it works fine.I agree with the not modifying a new/reman pump.

 

[sope]

Thanks for all the reply's. I apreciate the opinions. After reading this I will start small and just remove the shims and try that. I did just install a cooler. This might be enough. I won't be able to try it out for a while due to some other ongoing work on my rig but it needs something. When I finally hit the trail again I'll update this thread.

JP