just not getting any answers from the other boards that I have asked on.

there are some great documentation threads, here, marlins site, and found a few on personal web pages.
a big thank you to everone that has taken the time to document and share what they have done.

after reading everything that I can find about it I still have a few questions.

pumps have min pressures listed.
85
2wd 1067 psi
4wd 924 psi.
no physical difference in the service manual.
so I am guessing the min pressure being higher on the 2wd is because of the longer cross over arm vs the short pitman arm on the push pull set up.

93
4wd 1138 psi
4wd with the pressure adjustment 1067 psi.

but there are no max pressures listed.
anyone know what the max pressure should be?

has anyone put a guage on one to see what the real pressures are?
stock?
after drilling out the flow restrictor?

also I am guessing that if the ram is rated for a max of 3000 psi, the push pull forces are based on that 3000 psi?

Or are the push pull ratings based on a mean working pressure (like 1500 psi) that is not listed in the description of the cylinder.

I would like an opinion on the toyota pumps.
are they burning up from stuff left from not cleaning after drilling the box?
working them to hard and getting to hot?
using ps fluid instead of atf?

when not turning is there still a flow of oil through the pump, or is it just holding a static pressure? I ask that because I want to know is the cooler for cooling or just increased capacity.

for those that have this system working well.
did you drill out the restrictor or strech out the spring to the 50mm?

thanks for your time.

My Howe steering pump puts out ~1300 psi and I did plumb in a pressure gauge for testing purposes. Not sure on the stock pump specs, though.

yeh that is what I am wondering since the minumums are when the pump needs replaced the actual pressure should/could be much higher.

any opinions on the rest?

I've been running HA for a few years. Drilled my own box and used the Redneck ram kit. Stock '86 pump w/ restrictor drilled out, using synthetic ATF and I enlarged my stock reservoir. I haven't had any problems except for the early style ram leaking, but they replaced it with the new one.

I don't think the pressure is nearly as important as the flow, and that is the primary difference between stock and aftermarket pumps. At idle, coasting and steering quickly into a parking spot or something, I can outsteer my pump. Other than that, its not usually noticable.

You can easily figure out what the working pressure they used is if you know the piston/rod diameters.

I think little or no fluid flows through the lines except when steering assist is needed. Most of the time the pump is bypassing internally. PBB has an extremely thorough writeup by Billavista in the tech section.

And FWIW, I have heard of people having problems with the v6 pumps.

I will check out his section again.

it is a 1.5x 6 x 1 ram
max pressure is 3000 psi.
ok.. just thinking about it they give it 5000 lbs force one way and 3000 the other. not sure of why the difference.

so the force must be using the 3000 max.

Why would there be a difference? it is actually pushing both ways. oh.. duh, the rod takes up area of force, on the one side. (the DUH light came on).

also I may have bought the wrong fitting for the toyota hole. I got the 90 1/4 npt to female 1/4. I am don't know if there is room to turn it into the steering box. so may have to get some different fittings.

thanks for the information.

1.5" piston dia = 1.77" piston surface area. 5000lbs./1.77inches = ~2825psi.

1" dia piston surface area = .785"

3000/(1.77-.785) = ~3045psi.

So yes, they're using roughly the 3000psi number.

That's a big difference left/right (about 44% less one way than the other). I'd think it would be pretty noticable. The one I'm running has a 5/8" shaft and I can't tell any difference.

lol... what size is your cylinder then..

I don't think there will be too much.. I hope.
I read billa vista's stuff really didn't get much from it.
the other sites were more toyota specific there for alot more help.
that is putting it together vs buying an orbital, pump, cylinder, akerman angles and all that.

I just don't want the wheel ripped out of my wifes hands when she bumps a rock.

thanks for your help