Ya.

And the best thing about assist is the stress it takes off of the unibody

 

I can't find the links right now but you should be able to google for it.
It was a site that showed how to up the pressure from a stock PSP and how to drill and tap several different steering boxes to use hydro assist. Was quite informative and looked like an easier way to upgrade the power side of steering.


Edit: Found this link. http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.co...osteering.html
And this one http://westtexasoffroad.homestead.co...rsteering.html

 

The OP stated that he couldn't turn on asphalt. Therefore his tires are big enough to cause his stock steering problems, there are different ways to help this problem and one of the best ways is a hydro assist system.

I have trouble turning my 35s in deep snow, if my turning problems get any worse I'll go to hydro assist, because it works. Some of the other so called fixes don't, or either they only partially fix the problem.

 

The West Texas Offroad powersteering mod works pretty good but make sure you install a power steering cooler, because of the extra heat build up.

 

Oh you must be one of THOSE people. XJ overheats? Time to run a 160 thermostat, electric fans, 9000 row rad, and hood vents, right? Couldn't possibly be a bad water pump, could it? He can't turn 33s on a flat surface for crying out loud. The stock Jeep setup can DEFINITELY pull that off. If you need hydro boost with 33s you'd better be up to the hood in mud.

OP, do the Durango box swap with either the WJ or XJ pump. Slap a strengthening plate on the frame rail while you're at it. Done. This is not complicated.

 

I'm sorry, if something I stated hurt your feelings, I didn't mean my statement as an insult.
As for as me being one of THOSE people, I am one of those people that have been wheeling for over 35 years and have learned a few things.
My statement that hydro assist is for steering large tires, is true, my original statement that hydro assist will work on any steering axle is true,
I didn't state that hydro assist was the only way to fix his problem, but it is one of the best ways to fix a steering problem on a rig that is wheeled hard running larger tires.

 

Start with flushing your P/S fluid, I have zero problems turning my 33's on or offroad at a dead stop with the engine idling . If that does not work replace the pump and lines

 

This. Flush the whole system. New fluid. If that doesn't help, replace with new stock parts. I have no problems turnin my EXTREMELY HEAVY 33's on road or off moving or not.

 

My stock pump will turn 33x15.5s and 35x12.5s locked just fine, which is why I said hydro assist is a ridiculous suggestion for what I'm assuming are 33x12.5 or 33x10.5 tires. Something is broken if he can't turn his tires with the factory box and pump.

Hydro assist is basically severe overkill and a lot of money wasted for tires 35 or smaller.

 

Mr. White your statement was about running hydro assist on a Dana 30 axle which is what started my comments. It wasn't about running 33 or 35 inch tires, and I'm sorry but hydro assist isn't that expensive unless you buy a kit.

As for severe overkill that would depend on how and where you wheel. 35 inch tires in 4 foot of snow works the steering gear box pretty hard.

 

A dana 30 would be basically maxed out on 35s which was part of my original point.

If this guy can't even turn his tires on pavement, hydro assist is not the solution.

What you're currently saying with hydro assist is like his jeep won't crank and then you recommending he swap a cummins 4bt in instead of replacing the battery. So while hydro assist may be beneficial in the event that he is having trouble turning in 4 foot of snow on 35s, it is not relevant to him not being able to turn his tires on the pavement.

 

Hydro assist is certainly awesome but this illustrates my point quite well...

 

What I stated had nothing to do with me recommending him going to hydro assist. What I'm saying is that hydro assist works on any steering axle including a Dana 30.

That is all that I've stated. By way the largest tires I've seen someone wheeling on a Dana 30 axle were 37s, don't know if I would recommend that large of tires but it was a 4 cylinder TJ and it was working.

 

This is where you recommended hydro assist for the OP who is running 33s.

I ran 37s on a d30 for a while, I didn't like them and how high it sat, so I went to 35s. I wouldn't recommend running 37s on a d30 for most people, they are just too big and the axle looks like a toothpick comparatively. If you have a heavy foot like most people do, a d30 just wouldn't hold up.

FWIW I could turn the 37s just fine without hydro assist, even easier than I could the 33x15.5s.

I'm not saying hydro assist won't work on a d30, I'm saying that if you still have the d30, hydro assist is probably pointless due to the size of tire that a d30 is capable of running reliably. Not to mention it's not a great solution to the OP's problem, which is he cannot turn his 33s on pavement, because when you say it can be done for cheap, I am assuming you mean not replacing any of the oem parts like the pump which is likely his problem in the first place.
Basically, adding hydro assist on a broken steering system to try to band-aid the original problem is a dumb idea.
If his problem is he is having a rough time steering in 4ft of snow or deep *** mud, then I would agree with you on hydro assist.

 

Don't assume anything about what I mean, I think that is where this got screwed up in the first place.

If you do the West Texas Offroad power steering pump upgrade you'll have higher pressure and more volume. [ and it is free ]
If you don't have any leaks or bad bushings in the steering gear box drill and tap it. [ and it is free ]
Last time I did hydro assist my fittings, hoses, and ram cost 150.00, plus I added a power steering cooler and I think it cost about 30.00.
I don't think that is a bad price for hydro assist.

I never stated anything about adding hydro assist to a broken system, my statement was hydro assist can and will work on a Dana 30 axle period end of story.
Would hydro assist be the first thing I tried if I had some type of steering problem, no.