Hydraulic steering on a 4th gen??

[crashman]

I recently got lockers installed and found it is really hard to steer on a obstacle to almost impossible
I also found a little play in my steering rack so I thought maybe I can do hydraulic steering but after searching I didn't find anyone post how to do it so here I am asking can it be done??

 

[vr4z06gt]

I am sure it can be done...the question is at what cost and is it worth it?

I know it used to be considered a safety issue to have hydrualic steering for street vehicles as it became difficult to find steering center and thus you can be in a world of hurt if shit hits the fan. I remember reading on a jeep forum (we have a WJ as well) about one guy who put hydraulic steering in his WJ. Short story, on the road he ended up loosing wheel center (he ended up over correcting multiple times to try and keep it stable and straight) and rolling the truck. He was killed in the accident.

There are car makers who have started adding hyrdaulic steering to their vehicles but I do not know how they keep the steering wheel centered. I would suggest seriously looking into the legalities (i was under the impression certain states made it illegal but that could be false information) and safety aspect if you plan on using this system at speed or on the road. Just my $0.02

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I'm sorry I am not understanding what you guys are talking about here since the 4Runners, past and present use a Hydraulic Power Steering System.

 

[NateMob]

He is talking about using a "Hydraulic Assist" system using a small 8-10" stroke hydraulic ram.

You wont find hydro-assist on any IFS rigs, its a solid axle setup only. You tap the ram off of the high and low pressure ports of the existing steering box, then you mount the fixed end of the ram to the solid axle housing then mount the moving end to the tie bar to assist with steering with heavy tires, a locker, and when in tight spaces where you've got a lot of weight on one tire.

In other words, either SAS your rig or get a selectable locker that you can turn off when you need to turn.

Hydro-Assist, where you retain the steering box doesn't have as large an issue returning to center. When you go full hydro with an orbital valve and no steering box is when you tend to lose center.

 

[CXS]

Hey Eric, I thought you had a selectable front & rear.

 

[crashman]

Hey Eric, I thought you had a selectable front & rear.

I do have air lockers front and rear I will just have to keep it unlocked when I need to steer over a obstacle
Maybe try and find a stronger pump

 

[crashman]

Thanks guys I didn't know about the centering.
I would love to do a sas but I need to use my current setup and get experience
I may just get a dedicated crawler when I get good enough

 

[CruzadoBlanco]

Thanks guys I didn't know about the centering.
I would love to do a sas but I need to use my current setup and get experience
I may just get a dedicated crawler when I get good enough

if this is your first true offroad rig then i wouldnt do it, i got "lucky" and ended up with an 05 wrangler unlimited as my first. although it was a POS and land yacht money wise it did teach me alot. not just in how to drive it and navigate obstacles but where to invest money to get the most out of it. for the most part you shouldnt even have to lock your front on the trail very often. relying on the Atrac in the front with the rear locked is a very capable rig. hell im not even locked yet, i just have a stupid amount of articulation out of my suspension and am able to run 3,4, and a few 5 rated trails in mine with very little trouble.

 

[crashman]

if this is your first true offroad rig then i wouldnt do it, i got "lucky" and ended up with an 05 wrangler unlimited as my first. although it was a POS and land yacht money wise it did teach me alot. not just in how to drive it and navigate obstacles but where to invest money to get the most out of it. for the most part you shouldnt even have to lock your front on the trail very often. relying on the Atrac in the front with the rear locked is a very capable rig. hell im not even locked yet, i just have a stupid amount of articulation out of my suspension and am able to run 3,4, and a few 5 rated trails in mine with very little trouble.

I have the metal tech rear long travel also, what shocks are you running in the rear? I have the icon external 2.5 did you have any troubles with the shocks?