6:39 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline
The last weak link I'm going to try and address is the steering. Lets hear some opinions on the "best"-ish steering setup to be able to turn on the trail and not break components. I'm currently running all Synergy steering including the track bar brace and sector shaft brace. I'm leaning towards the WTO Redneck Ram system because of the good reviews and the cheaper price. But I'm also intrigued by the PSC Big Box. Keep in mind I'm running 37s, but I plan to upgrade to 40s in a year or two.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:49 pm
October 28, 2016
Offline I really like the PSC big bore box. As Greg has mentioned combining that with their high flow pump might be perfect for 37's.
Mel from ore runs the big bore on 37's.
W6JLU
7:32 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Brian said
I really like the PSC big bore box. As Greg has mentioned combining that with their high flow pump might be perfect for 37's.
I agree, it's an intriguing upgrade. Buying one tapped is probably not the best option if the goal is to go to 40s in the near future. Once you add the ram the steering box is pretty much a non-issue, so the extra expense of the Big Box is wasted. But if somebody is undecided on tire size or expects to be on 37s for a longer time, then the ported Big Box makes sense. So, that leaves me with the option of just running the ported Big Box for a couple of years or going straight to an assisted system. The WTO is pretty cheap at $550.00 plus the cost of install. They're probably be very close in price when all said and done. So, ported Big Box or WTO Redneck Ram with my 37s and eventual upgrade to 40s???
I used to wheel a lot. . .
7:49 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline I'm planning on sending my old box to WTO when I have spare cash (so likely never). 
10:45 pm
July 14, 2016
Offline WTO? Is that code for WFO in Auburn or did I miss something.
5:19 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Mike G said
WTO? Is that code for WFO in Auburn or did I miss something.
WTO = West Texas Off road
They make the Redneck Ram hydro assist steering
It's a much cheaper option than PSC and has very good reviews everywhere. It uses your stock pump which saves a boatload of money. They also say it doesn't need a cooler, but most run a cooler anyways. It's kind of the middle ground between a DIY and a full PSC system.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
7:50 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline At this point, I'm leaning towards the Big Box because I'm still having that great internal debate about going up to 40s. I think 40s look amazing, but I'm positive 37s will get me through any trail around here, be much easier to drive on-road, be much easier on other components (wear and tear), will cost much less money to set up correctly, take far less trimming, and require fewer modifications. I mean I kind of like the thought of 37s with the D60s and the Big Box; it should be very reliable and all but bulletproof off-road. But then those 40s sure do look sweet, a better size balance for the big four doors...
I used to wheel a lot. . .
10:24 am
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline That's why I'll be sticking with my 38s on 18s. I get the backspacing I want over the big brakes, they ride great on and off road, less trimming for my lift, and if they had the Big Box at the time, I probably would have gone that route first. Also, it's my DD. Why? Because I love driving it!
Oh, and ask Brian what he thought when I had to downshift from 6th to 5th and accelerated uphill on the freeway in the mountains. 
Okay, I had to downshift to 4th once, but that was it. 
10:35 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline k-jeep said
That's why I'll be sticking with my 38s on 18s.
Trust me, if somebody made a good radial tire in 38x13.5r17, I'd be all over that with the Big Box steering and call it "awesome".
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:46 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline JohnDF said
Trust me, if somebody made a good radial tire in 38x13.5r17, I'd be all over that with the Big Box steering and call it "awesome".
Pretty sure the new cooper STT Pro can be had in that flavor.
3:51 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline kris_olof said
Pretty sure the new cooper STT Pro can be had in that flavor.
Couldn't find it on their site.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
7:33 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline The more I thunk about it, the more I'm inclined to just go ahead and do the hydro ram assist. Then no matter what I do about tire size it's "one and done".
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:11 am
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline I think if at all you are worried, you should just go hydro assist. You know that's the best option and why skimp on it if you already have put a decent amount of money into the jeep.
On tires, I still can't figure out why companies are toying with us on different tire sizes. Falken has been toying with a 38 forever and keep sponsoring people with the size but rarely do I see that size offered to the public. Toyo was playing with a 39x13.5x17 C rated tire that has never hit the market either.
You can get a Yokohama Geolander MT+ in a 38: https://www.tirerack.com/tires.....;tab=Sizes
But I'd recommend getting 5. I'm not sure how great a tire they are. Jeff ran some 31's back in the day and we thought they were great. But we never used them for rock crawling.
Um...what?
8:33 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Thanks Greg. I concur about the tire companies teasing us with sizes. I've been keeping my eye out for the Falken tires, but I can't find anything but competition treads. Bummer.
I am also worried about the Yokohama's sidewall strength, that's why I didn't pull the trigger on them. Besides, they are directional and I'm still on the fence about that. My old X Terrains were great in the rocks but sucked on anything wet. My old MTRKs were good all around, but not sure if those are considered a true directional tire. Besides, Yokohama is also teasing about a new design which would probably mean that they will phase out the old design leaving me with no replacements.
Now there is a Pitbull MadDog radial in the correct size (38.5x13.50r17), but it is a load range E. Not sure how I feel about that...
The BIG thing for me is that my Jeep is completely "dialed-in" for ride quality and I don't want to raise it or change control arm angles. I want it to stay exactly like it is; great to drive and easy for the wife to get in and out. 38s would take minimal trimming and no bump stop extension. The 40s I hear take substantial trimming, added bump stops and will possibly still rub frame and bumpers. That's why I'm thinking a 38" tire would be the best compromise; added ground clearance, better looks (over a 37), and easy fitment.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
3:36 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline Craigslist your wheels and go with the Toyo 38x13.50R18s!
4:01 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline k-jeep said
Craigslist your wheels and go with the Toyo 38x13.50R18s!
Nah, I'll probably run these 37s down and then decide exactly what I want to do...
I used to wheel a lot. . .
4:02 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline WFO said the "Don't Do" the WTO Redneck Ram. Only PSC...
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:53 am
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline What is Kevin and Brad running? They seem to work well.
Um...what?
7:10 am
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Gregulator said
What is Kevin and Brad running? They seem to work well.
They both run AGR
I used to wheel a lot. . .
2:11 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline Have you looked into them?
Um...what?
2:26 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline Gregulator said
Have you looked into them?
I can call other shops but I'm not sure who I can trust to do my steering. Any thoughts?
Also, WFO wants to charge me 7 hours labor for just a box and a pump. Does that seem correct?
I used to wheel a lot. . .
5:01 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline I'm calling 4Wheel Drive Parts to get a quote on AGR ram assist installed as well as getting a quote for PSC Big Bore XD box installed.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
5:31 pm
October 28, 2016
Offline JohnDF said
I'm calling 4Wheel Drive Parts to get a quote on AGR ram assist installed as well as getting a quote for PSC Big Bore XD box installed.
4 wheel parts always seems crazy expensive for labor. And they sounded like they had no idea what they were talking about on the phone. I had called about regearing.
W6JLU
6:00 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline Brian said
4 wheel parts always seems crazy expensive for labor. And they sounded like they had no idea what they were talking about on the phone. I had called about regearing.
John, you might want to check with Predator offroad in Auburn. (530) 888-8811
