lx450 hydro assist pics

[wv_lx450]

yes, had to weld tabs on the tie rod and axle. the redneck ram kit came with everything needed.

 

[Tapage]

the only time i notice it is if im driving kinda fast in the woods and try to jerk the wheel to miss something. it basically wont let you.

that's the pump .. it's running short on the GPM section .. it happens to me with my factory pump ..

 

[Delancy]

Nice PP80.

Question about WTO's set up, and you're one of the few that I can find that's ran.

Are there detractions to hydro, besides a learning curve getting accustomed to, for on road?

I wouldn't have considered it to be a major issue until reading your statement about dodging obstacles "and the hydro won't let you".

 

[wv_lx450]

not much learning curve. when im driving on the road at speed (the small amount that i have done), i dont really even notice the hydro-assist. once you're rolling pretty good, it drives just like normal. you could jerk the wheel or swerve around something just fine. the only time i notice it not being able to keep up is when the engine isnt turning enough rpm (like if i take off through a small straight stretch in the woods and then let off the throttle to slow down for a turn, it can be hard to steer). otherwise, the pump keeps up just fine. i wouldnt have any problem running this setup on a daily driver.

 

[sethzilla]

i had the same style of setup on my old chevy. Hyrdro assist was heaven everywhere! No issues with it at speed on the highway or crawling with low RPM's.

I like the 3 link you did wv_lx450, looks very functional and simple. Can't wait to break my stock axles enough to go back to D60/14Bolt bulletproof-ness!

 

[wv_lx450]

thanks! im lovin the 3-link and tons. its sure is nice to be able to hold it on the floor and not be worried about breaking something.

 

[LT]

not much learning curve. when im driving on the road at speed (the small amount that i have done), i dont really even notice the hydro-assist. once you're rolling pretty good, it drives just like normal. you could jerk the wheel or swerve around something just fine. the only time i notice it not being able to keep up is when the engine isnt turning enough rpm (like if i take off through a small straight stretch in the woods and then let off the throttle to slow down for a turn, it can be hard to steer). otherwise, the pump keeps up just fine. i wouldnt have any problem running this setup on a daily driver.

Most likely need to up the pressure in the pump to keep up with the hydro assist. PSC motor sports has hi-performance power steering pumps but I'm not too sure if any of them translate over to the 80 series. If someone had an 80 series pump and one from a 3.4L or 4.0L Toyota v6 to verify then upgrading the pump is a viable option.

Toyota - Power Steering Pumps, Kits & Components - Offroad - Motorsport Specific Products

 

[wv_lx450]

i dont think any of the other toyota pumps will work without lots of modification because the FZJ80 has a gear driven pump.

 

[LT]

i dont think any of the other toyota pumps will work without lots of modification because the FZJ80 has a gear driven pump.

I did this to my saginaw pump and it works great for my 1.75" x 6" ram, don't know if the 80 series pump has a similar set up but worth a try.

powersteering

 

[Delancy]

@ wv_LX450. Thanks for the input.

Guess I'll contact WTO to see what I need to send. Have the gearbox, rebuild kit, sector shaft going, already, but not sure if they'll do the pump, itself.

 

[Delancy]

If someone had an 80 series pump and one from a 3.4L or 4.0L Toyota v6 to verify then upgrading the pump is a viable option.

Just "looking" at them, it doesn't appear to be a straight swap.

 

[clownmidget]

There was this thread too on developing/modifying for a high output PS pump
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/409610-power-steering-r-d.html

 

[Delancy]

^^. It seemed to have died a couple of years ago.

Based on one respondent's post, curious how much more is "needed" above and beyond WTO's Redneck Ram, or similar? I believe he stated the PS pump was sufficient if the ram was properly sized.

I already have a new OEM PS pump, 105 sector shaft and pitman arm, gearbox rebuild kit, and used, very porous gearbox ready to go to WTO.

What else should be considered?

 

[wv_lx450]

i did all of that except the new pump. i really dont think you will be disappointed with the stock pump. i have found very few instances where it was a problem and i do a lot of slow, in the rocks type of trails. it has always been sufficient. i also put 2 small tranny coolers (from summit) behind the grill.

 

[Delancy]

Thanks for the reply.

Will carry on, considering it appears all other attempts have gone silent, and several are running with the MM winches, without issue.

For cooling capacity, is there a total volume to be attained?

I saw one thread that used the tranny cooler from a Tundra, and curious if that's sufficient.

 

[wv_lx450]

im not sure about that. i put the coolers in when i put the ram assist on so ive never tried it with any less cooling. i have had no heat issues that i know of with my setup. i think the coolers i got were around $40 each and came with the hose and hose clamps.

 

[Delancy]

I've probably asked before, but how much additional whining is assist prone to?

What type of knuckle upgrades are a good idea?

 

[wv_lx450]

mine doesn't whine at all. i put a larger reservoir from trail gear on at the same time, also, so i'm not sure what it would be like with the stock res.

i'm not sure what, if any, knuckle upgrades would be necessary on the stock axle. mine's on a 60 it is plenty strong for assist.

 

[Delancy]

So no additional audible complaining, no adverse affects felt on road, and short of, I'm assuming, a knuckle stud upgrade, all's well, right?

With all new OE components, functioning PS was a workout, but still doable. Hobbling out of the rocks quite some distance without PS, sucked bad.

Second time the same issue has occurred (jam nut loosening on top of gearbox, spewing all fluid) and don't want a recurrence, so probably pulling and inspecting, at same time porting for hydro........for the inevitable 39s.

 

[wv_lx450]

no audible difference at all, no change in road manners that i noticed. i only drove limited amounts after the hydro assist so i'm sure i haven't come across all the possible situations that a normal dd would encounter.

the knuckle stud upgrade probably wouldn't be a bad idea.

mine was nearly impossible to steer (with the spool in front) before the hydro assist. it is entirely different now. it can be a little slow at times (when the rpm are low) but it will still steer through pretty much anything.