Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) PSC Hydraulic Assist Steering or AGR Rock Ram?

[DPrew]

It's time to bite the bullet and send off my steering box and $500 PSC for a rebuild and porting for the steering hydraulics. I've already had a AGR Super Pump installed and a PSC heat sink steering cooler. I got to tell you the aluminum cooler look pretty good under the front after market bumper. Great air flow and great protection with a durable heat sink you don't get with a traditional cooler that doesn't fend off rocks very well.



I've talked to the people at AGR in the past and at PSC as well. They've both been great with answering questions but I've got to give the nod to PSC. The first heat sink I was sent by PSC had a pin hole in it. They immediately shipped out another cooler that day and even a UPS label for sending the bad cooler back.



I also find it interesting that PSC is adamant about using a cooler with their kit and ARG doesn't even mention adding a cooler. The high flow power steering pumps are the source of the extra heat. I had noticed occasional power steering fade with the AGR Super Pump and suspected that heat was the cause before PSC affirmed this suspicion.



I haven't had any more problems with fade since I installed the cooler and I suspect the hydro assist is going to take some stress off the steering gear box and make the truck run even cooler. I've checked the PS oil temperature with a meat probe a couple times after some heavy towing in town and been in the 170F to 182 F range. Does anyone know what a normal temperature range is?



I'd like to get some feedback from some people who have already installed hydraulic steering.

 

[BDaugherty]

I just recently parted ways with a '79 Chevy with a short lift, 44" Boggers on beadlock wheels, 1ton axles with alloy shafts, Detroit lockers, 5. 13 gears, etc. I ran a "Redneck Ram" steering setup. That said, I would absolutely use PSC's stuff. Also, the cooler is a must. My question is, why do you need hydro assist? Are your running very big tires or a front locker? If not, I would say don't add the complexity. SIZE]

 

[WILLD420]

Other than an AGR box in my truck, that I hate, I have no experience with either setup. I'll probably swap out to synthetic steering fluid this year, when I trashcan the AGR box. A cooler would be nice someday, but for now stock works.

If my box is any indication of AGR's stuff, I'd pass. It's only 3 years old with about 40K miles on it and the bottom seal pours unless I keep stop leak in the box. It isn't any stronger turning wise than the stocker except for the 5 or 6 turns lock to lock. Makes it handle like a 70's big rig with bias ply tires on a grooved road.

 

[DPrew]

My problem is that the offset Weld Racing wheels on my truck have put a lot more stress on the steering gear box than it can handle. I've had stock reman boxes and several AGR boxes but they all get lots of annoying play in no time at all.

I've already have the DSS, column bushing, track bar relocation kit, Super Pump, cooler, Borgeson and all new front end hardware. PSC says the steering gears in the Dodges and Fords are weak and when you add offset wheels it jacks with the scrub angles and puts a lot more stress on the boxes. From my own experience and a pile of gear boxes I believe them. I'd like to do a Dynatrac free spin hub kit as well.

 

[BDaugherty]

Seems to me that hydro assist would be more of a band aid then. I would buy new wheels before I bought hydro for a street truck. Also, have you adjusted the worm gear preload on the box (or boxes) that you have? My opinion is that hydro assist is for large tires and/or extreme off road with a front locker.

 

[DPrew]

The guys at PSC said they have done a bunch of these kits for street trucks like mine with great results. PSC says even their heavy duty gear boxes will only last so long with offset wheels with out a hydro kit. The gear box is just not up to the task.

There's nothing wrong with my Weld wheels. There forged not cast and look great with the offset stance. It's the increased load the geometry of the offset wheels has caused that needs to be fixed.

I've turned the steering shaft back and forth on several of the gear boxes that were sloppy and you could hear a clunking sound because there was so much play. The boxes were probably way past anything a little fine tuning will help.

There's at least one TDR member that has this kit installed. I have no problem doing something that's out of the ordinary to try to help the steering especially since it's only going to cost $500 plus labor. I'll put a posting up after the install is done to let everyone know how it works out. I think there's a lot of members who would gladly part with $500 (plus an HO power steering pump if you don't have one) to get firmer steering.

 

[muchsnow]

Just for info: Three out of four saginaw units I received from AGR were received bad out of the box. The one that was good had two ears stripped that had to be helicoiled prior to install. Had to use SAE and new bolts for those because the metric was nowhere to be found on a Sunday. Now have one bad in a box that I now could never recoup. and another one went wherever exchanges go when they fail on your wifes truck and your not within a thousand miles to take care of it.
I would never recommend any more hard earned going to AGR from now on... .

They're jus plain old garbage from my experiences.

 

[DPrew]

I had several AGR box's that didn't work out but I had other issues at the time that I fixed by adding a DSS. Just to play it safe the last box I had installed was a Cardone reman but it has gotten just as sloppy as the AGR units. I've tried every other steering mod except for the hydro. The PSC hydro is next.

 

[monkeyman]

I have the rock ram set up on my truck with 19. 5 wheels, my truck weighs 8200 empty. However my steering system is not stock. I am running a Napa PS pump with no problems and no over heating.
I have had a PSC box but had problems, the Newer AGR boxes are full ball bearing not bushings. but I guess since humans put them together every box might be different!
Rick

 

[DPrew]

Your saying you have the AGR Rock Ram but not the AGR Super Pump. I'm assuming the NAPA unit is a OEM flow pump not a high output? I thought you had to have a high flow pump to accommodate the hydraulics. How has your setup worked? I'm trying to get some solid feedback.