Take a look at the recommendations for running PSC’s non ported box then try to justify not going full hydro.

 

If you do go with a PSC Big Bore steering box, make sure that even if you don't upgrade the steering pump, upgrade the high pressure hose between the pump and steering box. The factory one from Jeep has a teflon liner that can come loose and slip into your new steering box if the line gets overheated. If that happens, you are buying another steering box.

I upgraded my steering box to the PSC Big Bore XDII that is ported for hydro assist, and it worked pretty well but it had a slight dead spot and I always seemed to be making minute corrections to keep the Jeep going in a straight line. This past winter, I finally upgraded the pump, reservoire, hoses, cooler, etc.... and now it really works good. No dead spot and no more constant corrections. The higher pressure pump also fixed the stutter that you'd get when going from steering lock to lock quickly when the old pump couldn't keep proper pressure for the steering box. I have not added a hydro ram on my axle yet. I am running 37" Nitto Trail Grapplers on mine and I can spin the steering wheel with one finger at a dead stop in a parking space. When in 4lo and locked, I can steer, definitely easier than with the factory steering, but I am sure it would be even easier with hydro assist.

Just my experience so far, thought I'd share. It is definitely worth the money and effort to do it.

Also, look at PSC's website about track bar and sector shaft braces. They say something about using a larger set of bolts or something along those lines if using Synergy track bar or brace.

 

Thank you! That was some very helpful info. I think I’ll probably go the same route as you. This is probably a long shot but do you have any idea if it will work with the Core track bar? I saw on PSC’s site that it may not work with some track bars

 

I really have no idea about the Core track bar. I have a Metalcloak track bar on mine and it works just fine. No interference issues at all. @Pressurized might be able to tell you. I think he has used the Core and MC stuff before and might be able to tell you if there is difference that would matter between the two.

 

Best upgrade I've done to my JK was the PSC kit...pump, box, cooler (no hydro ram)...it is awesome.

 

Also a PSC guy here. Northridge has a 20% thing going right now. Code 23NR4X4

 

Northridge has a 20% thing going right now. Code 23NR4X4

FYI, just tried it, only got 10% off.

 

I wouldn't think you would have many track bar clearance issues with the PSC XD box but I'm not familiar with all the TB options out there. I still run an Synergy TB brace after upgrading to the PSC box since I was already using it when I installed the beefy box. There was some discussion that PSC only warranties the XD non-ported box with 35s and smaller because of the potential to break or pull threads on the steering bolts. I went with both the JK and JL bolt kits to get extra and new bolts when I installed the full kit. You can use an old bolt installed backwards into the PSC steering box to act as a locating stud when installing the heavy box. I was able to use this method to easily install the box by myself. It also helped that the TB was not bolted to frame and I had my MC inner fenders removed at the time of installing the PSC box.

Although this thread is mainly about the whole PSC box and ram kit there is a lot of useful information to check out.

PSC Big Bore and Cylinder Assist Installation

I am part way through installing a cylinder assist kit from PSC that includes their Big Bore Steering Box. So far I like the kit, but am not impressed with their documentation. The install instructions they have seem to be outdated and don't cover some of the parts used in the kit they are now...

www.wranglerforum.com

Here is a picture of PSC box and MC track bar.

 

I went with Redhead steering box and had them tap it for hydro for another 150 or whatever, although I'm not using hydro at the moment. I might in the future.

 

I went with the PSC box years ago after I twisted the stock box sector shaft several times. Tried the PSC power steering pump, but found it was way too noisy! Utilized the PSC PS cooler, reservoir, and hoses. Went back to the stock power steering pump with absolutely no issues. I use Swepco power steering fluid. I run 37 inch tires on my 2013 JKR. No need for the hydro ram assist at all!

 

^ the PS pump is noisy...if it were to die I'd definitely go back to stock.

@rockred is your 2-door stretched or you still OEM wheelbase?

 

Still at OEM! Never needed the longer wheelbase!

 

Weird. I have never noticed any excess noise coming from the new PSC pump.


Maybe it's because I can't hear it over the noise of the mother effing AFE cold air intake I had to install because the new PSC reservoir was so large that my factory intake and filter wouldn't fit!!!!

 

My PSC pump was sooooo noisy I could not hear myself thinking as I drove through the forest! The noise even scared the cows away! Let alone deer, elk and bear....Sent it back to PSC and they swore nothing was wrong with it....
Had absolutely no issue fitting the PSC reservoir in. Just had to get some different fittings from the local auto parts store so the PSC hoses would clear the stock JK air box.