Originally Posted by TheDirtman

I am not pushing PSC or any other brand of steering assist, just pointing out that the redneck and the do it yourself kits are not going to perform like a full blown kits that includes balanced pumps and pulls matched to the ram and type of feel you want from the steering. PSC is an expensive set up I think due to having to warrantee many of the parts that were being "field tested" by the end users. IF you want steering assist and don't care about the performance then there are options out there that are pretty cheap that get the job done.

Not sure if you are limiting your steering by increasing your steering stop, but would think you did to be able to fit those big wide tires. IF you did limit you will need to take that into consideration when ordering the ram length. A larger ram will give you more power but takes longer to fill and typically has a slower response. The power steering pump also pumps more as the RPM's increase filling the ram faster at highway speeds and can cause twitchy steering especially on vehicles that have low caster (high lifts). A big ram with a small pump will have very low response times in low speed maneuvers like parking where your RPM's tend to be low. Off road you are generally in low 4 and are running higher rpm's so it would pump more fluid. Hose diameter, length of hose, and type of fitting can also have an affect on the response times and feel of the steering. All in all it depends what you want to get out of your rig just like suspensions you need to look at the application. This is why I said half assed kit like rough country. You can compare it to a 3.5" game changer and say wtf they both give you 4" of lift but the RC is only $499 where the GC is $4k but I can assure you they don't perform the same.

Good luck with the upgrade and you might want to look up goody's thread on diy and there is also many threads on cheap hydraulic assist on JKO

Originally Posted by big dr

PSC offers a very specific ram they suggest for JK's. I suggest you call them and get their input prior to purchase, if you decide to go that way. And you will need a high volume pump for a ram to work correctly. I know this from my own chattering steering prior to install of the correct pump. Good luck no matter what direction you go with,,, but remember,, its your steering!!! Definitely not the place to go cheap!

Originally Posted by big dr

PSC offers a very specific ram they suggest for JK's. I suggest you call them and get their input prior to purchase, if you decide to go that way. And you will need a high volume pump for a ram to work correctly. I know this from my own chattering steering prior to install of the correct pump. Good luck no matter what direction you go with,,, but remember,, its your steering!!! Definitely not the place to go cheap!

Originally Posted by Ringer

I have found that the stock pump can run a 1.5" ram ok, but with the big meats you have I would run a 1.75" with a larger pump. The larger the ran diameter, the more force you will get(force=pressure*area). Flow is simply for the feel and reaction time. One thing to keep in mind is that as you increase the force, you will lose "feel" or feedback in the steering wheel. This is a method of finding a happy medium that works for your application. I run a custom adjustable pump on mine with 1450psi and adjustable flow. If you are unfamiliar with hydraulics and steering, I would get an off the shelf system from PSC, Howe, AGR(mixed reviews) or Redneck ram. Just keep in mind that you get what you pay for, and the whole system should be matched and tuned to work properly together.

Originally Posted by JK505

How do you determine if you need something like this? It may have been my imagination, but after reading this, the steering felt stiff (almost as if power steering wasn't operation 100%) with my 35's. Is this in my head?

Originally Posted by wrangler unl145

I have been doing a lot of reading lately about adding hydraulic assist steering to my jku recently. Currently, I'm running 35" tires, but want to go to 37's next time I get tires. I was thinking of using my stock gear box and pump for now. I figured with running 35's, I don't need much help, but wanted to take some of the stress off of the gear box and frame where the gear box mounts. Anyone have any experience with a similar set up? I understand that the PSC system would be a better setup, but wouldn't it be a little over kill for my setup? I would drill and tap my gear box, so there wouldn't be any cost there.