Poking for Experiance with redneck ram. I upgraded to 37's this year and off road aired down my steering doesn't like them. Has to work really hard. I can't swing PSC hydro assist but was planning to go with stage3 redneck . This is a daily driver that I wheel on the rocks. Handles good I have upgraded everything frame down.

Will this adversely effect my on road handling? Pro's cons? Who has Experiance with this?

Go!!!!

 

I went with West Texas Offroad (Redneck Ram). I got their stage 3. I had a few issues at first. When I installed everything I had a leak on top of my steering box. I called them. They let me pull the top cap off to inspect an o-ring. The o-ring was fine. There was a bad scratch on the cylinder and it wouldn't seal. They had me send it back. They fixed it for free and sent it back. All was good. However, the Jeep wouldn't turn at idle. When driving this was dangerous, especially when turning into a parking lot. I added a PSC high flow pump. This fixed this issue. Now it drives just like stock in my opinion. So, is Redneck good, I would say the ram and rebuilt housing are, but you will want to upgrade the PS pump also. After adding the price of a PSC pump you may just want to go all PSC, but I would recommend them.

 

What size ram did you use? 1.5 or 1.75?

 

I just had the Redneck Ram Stage 2 kit installed on my JK, but don't have it back so no feedback. I went with the 1.5" x 6.0" ram.
Customer service from West Texas Offroad was good and they turned around the box quickly. The hoses they supplied are good quality hydraulic hoses.

On other option on steering box rebuilds is Red-Head Steering Gears - Steering Gear Re-Manufacturing in USA they might do a better rebuild, I would call both and compare if you are picky.

 

Correct ram size will help on a stock pump, but imo you will still notice lag on quick steering input

 

I run the stage 3 and couldn't be happier. Still running the stock pump. Drives great on road and handles perfectly. I have driven a couple jeeps with the PSC with the pump and all but i really didn't notice any difference between the 2 at idle. Not saying there isn't but I don't notice a difference. Everybody's Jeep and set ups are different so things are always going to be different, but Matt at West Texas is awesome and will sit and talk with you on the phone for hours answering any questions. Are you more curious if the set up is good or if you should save up for the PSC?

 

I can almost guarantee you have the 1.75" ram. I know because you probably told WTO that you are running 40" tires in which case they will send you the 1.75" ram for more turning force which requires a higher flow rate pump. That is why you are experiencing hard turning at idle. Whether running 40s or 37s the stock pump works very well with the 1.5" ram and does not have hard turning at idle speed but does however have a lag when quick turning as maertz mentioned above. I have been running the stock pump with a cooler and a 1.5" ram for the last 8 months and everything from a steering perspective has improved both on and off road. Wto are a great bunch of guys and highly resoommend them just make sure you get the 1.5" ram if running the stock pump. I actuually have one for sale in case anyone needs

https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/jk-s...ck-ram-326432/

 

I run a 1.75" PSC ram with the PSC pump. Mine is still slow at idle. Never tried it with the stock pump, but I am sure that would suck a lot worse.

 

Well I'm trying to stay ahead of the failure curve and improve on and Offroad drivability. With the larger tires I think I'm asking for a failure . Although perhaps I'm not looking at the right solution. I've got the synergy sector shaft brace and all steering components upgraded. I think the only remaining weak link is the pitman arm. The gear box and the pump. Soooo am I planning for the right upgrade?

Tell me this, why should someone add hydro assist?

 

I've run the WTOR hydro assist for a few years now and highly recommend it. Due to a shoulder injury that required surgery I farmed the install off to a local shop that has tons of competitive rock crawler & desert racer builds to its credit. They made me a better set of hoses than what WTOR supplied. Instead of welding on ram brackets they used my existing Synergy axle side damper bracket and a PSC clamp on the tie rod. We retained the stock pump with no issues, works fine. I added a Derale dual pass cooler which really brings down fluid temps and improves overall performance. The only issue has been keeping the system bled. For some reason it picks up air occasionally. I think it's the reservoir feed getting foam from trail sloshing. I may add a larger Howe reservoir. Bottom line, do it.