Hydro or High steer?

k5cherokee

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Jan 17, 2011
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HighRockLake
Im getting ready to install some heavier axles on a k5 frame. I was wondering what is better, cheaper and less labor. I would like to install the hydro assist, It will be on a mud/ trail rig. Or is the high steer better?
 
Full hydro and hydro assit are different. Hydro assist is a cylider added to you existing steering configuration and plumbed through an existing steering box. Full hydro uses and orbital valve and a double ended (or single can be used) cylinder with no drag link.
 
to do it correctly, its pretty expensive to go fully hydraulic. unless you're planning on doing lots of low speed turns in tight situations, such as rocks, you dont need hydraulics.

plus to do full hydro correctly, it'll take $1000 +
 
You can do full hydro for as cheap as $200 if your lucky and aint tryin to buy some high dollar psc kit, and yes it eliminates a lot of unnecessary cross over junk.

now 200 was an extreme example, but I've seen used forklift setups go for 3 to 500 on a fairly consistent basis.

Or even then you can snag an el cheapo northern tool single ended ram, and get an orbital valve from a tractor place and some hydraulic lines and run it off your stock steering pump for less than $500

It'll be slow to response vs a double ended ram and big pump, but unless you are trying to rockrace you don't need it.

Just depends on what your trying to really do with it, if your trying to race or don't care bout spending a ton yea go psc or something like that and drop a grand.

or if your just tryin to put together a trail/mud rig and don't need super quick responsive steering (which I know you don't need for mud) I know countless dudes that have setups that work just fine for $500ish price range.

and you don't waste your time buying crossover steering parts that you'l probably later just get rid of to go hydro anyway.
 
steering

Ricky B said:
You can do full hydro for as cheap as $200 if your lucky and aint tryin to buy some high dollar psc kit, and yes it eliminates a lot of unnecessary cross over junk.

now 200 was an extreme example, but I've seen used forklift setups go for 3 to 500 on a fairly consistent basis.

Or even then you can snag an el cheapo northern tool single ended ram, and get an orbital valve from a tractor place and some hydraulic lines and run it off your stock steering pump for less than $500

It'll be slow to response vs a double ended ram and big pump, but unless you are trying to rockrace you don't need it.

Just depends on what your trying to really do with it, if your trying to race or don't care bout spending a ton yea go psc or something like that and drop a grand.

or if your just tryin to put together a trail/mud rig and don't need super quick responsive steering (which I know you don't need for mud) I know countless dudes that have setups that work just fine for $500ish price range.

and you don't waste your time buying crossover steering parts that you'l probably later just get rid of to go hydro anyway.
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Thanx ricky,
I have some issues with that black bitch turning to the left and just tryn not to put no more than i have to..Its the big black cherokee sittn on a k5 frame you took some pics of at the playground n lexington. I do go crawln with it down at uwharrie and bout the only prob ive had down there was the power steering pump gettn really hot and smokin. Just tryn to get some preventitive maintaince done 4 it warms up.
 
By the way...

k5cherokee said:
Im getting ready to install some heavier axles on a k5 frame. I was wondering what is better, cheaper and less labor. I would like to install the hydro assist, It will be on a mud/ trail rig. Or is the high steer better?
Click to expand...
Dont you have to use a 2 wheel drive steering box?K5 frame.Can any body tell me how to set up the hihg steer.:rolleyes:
 
Unless you are doing a lot of rock crawling, you don't really need high steer. The hydro assist however will help tremendously with a locked front end on large tires.
 
k5cherokee said:
Dont you have to use a 2 wheel drive steering box?K5 frame.Can any body tell me how to set up the hihg steer.:rolleyes:
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If you are going with high steer then you will need a crossover steering set up with a high steer arm. High steer also adds more stress to the top of the knuckles. You will need a 2wd steering box also. You can add hydro-assist to the factory setup also for around $100.00 in parts.
 
drkelly said:
Unless you are doing a lot of rock crawling, you don't really need high steer. The hydro assist however will help tremendously with a locked front end on large tires.
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It will also relieve some of the stress that the steering box puts on the frame.
 
I think there is some confusion in this thread regarding crossover steering and high steer. They are not the same thing.
 
steering

drkelly said:
I think there is some confusion in this thread regarding crossover steering and high steer. They are not the same thing.
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whats the diff?
IM running 40" 12.50 irocs on a d44 chev. What is the best steering set up? Not a highway driver/strictly mud and rocks.
 
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