Hydro-boost on stock power steering box?

[hammer189]

I've got a '76 stock saginaw steering box that I'm in the middle of rebuilding and am considering tapping it for a future hydro-boost upgrade. Does the stock '76 box have the capacity/ability to run hydro-boost? Can it run enough pressure? Will upgrading the pump to a canned ham style make any difference? Figured I'd check since it's apart and just rebuilding it would be too easy. David

 

[Mark]

If that's the stock power steering pump, then it isn't a Saginaw.
Canned ham style Saginaw pumps with dual returns are plentiful and cheap at a boneyard.
And not too expensive from an auto parts store already rebuilt and plumbed for an H-boost application.
I, personally, would NOT tap an existing one nor would I plumb a "T" into the single return line too iffy IMHO.

edit: Assuming you are talking about Hydro boost power brakes

 

[Viperwolf1]

Hydro-boost as in power brakes? Or hydro-assist as in steering?

 

[treihesse]

Those bronco boxes are to valuable. Buy a 4x4x2 or scout 2 already setup

 

[hammer189]

This is what happens when you give a moron an old truck that needs work, some basic tools and the internet!!! I confused hydro boost for brakes (that I will eventually do) with hydraulic ram steering assist!
Dis-reguard my initial post. I need more beer!;D David

 

[SpareParts]

BTW...you can do Hydro boost and Ram assist with a stock box and a Saginaw pump. I have been doing it for 7 years.

 

[thegreatjustino]

If that's the stock power steering pump, then it isn't a Saginaw.

He's talking about the box, not the pump. The stock EB boxes were Saginaw units. Strange that the boxes were Saginaw but the pumps weren't.

 

[treihesse]

I would rebuild and sell the stock box. The meat around the sector shaft is a little thin and there is no fixin a blow out like that. There are better options in my opinion for a hd steering setup..

 

[rockerZ71]

i put on a hydro booster around Christmas time using the stock box and it works great

 

[treihesse]

Im pretty sure we are talking about drilling two holes in the steering box and adding a hydro steering ram. If that's the case I would find another box. There are alot of much less valuable boxes out there and also provide alot of strength. If you are a junk yard guy you could do a 4x 4x2 box or the model 800 Saginaw scout boxes are pretty good. The ram does take a lot of the stress out if the sector shaft but if you get to much stroke in the ram both the knuckle and the box don't like it.