When I upgrade my radiator, it cam pre-plumbed with auto tranny cooler fittings in the bottom tray. I, however, have a 5spd.

My question is what would happen if I ran the power steering lines through these ports? My goal is to increase system capacity as well as keep the fluid cool. I'd like to run a hydro assist of some sort in the future.

 

I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work if you could make it fit... I'm pretty sure that the p/s pump will be able to handle it.

 

you'd wind up with cooler power steering fluid

 

Sounds like a good idea. I also put in a new radiator plumbed for the auto tranny. My first thought was an oil cooler, but after reading some posts here, I decided against it. What kind of pressure are the PS lines under?

 

Yeah.... pressure is my concern as well. I'll have to figure that one out, or maybe someone will post it up.

 

hmm...this could be interesting. Since I swapped my auto tranny to a 5-spd, I'm not using the tranny spot in the rad.

Does anyone know: are the "extra" power steering lines (ie the "loop" that sticks in front of the rad) are for cooling puroses? If they are, plumbing through the rad seems like a good way to be able to get rid of some of that etxra line.

Oh course, the line pressure needs to be looked at...anyone know about that?

 

I've heard of people adding a PS cooler, so it can be done no problem.

Question is, do you need it, and is it worth the hassle? Only time I've heard of people using a cooler is when they go to hydraulic assist steering and 39" tires, and they need the additional fluid capacity and cooling that a cooler provides. I would think there would be NO benefit with stock size tires.


edit....I see your running 35's...it might help out a little.

 

Well, this is exactly the root of my question.

I wish to add a hydro assist, and see others adding coolers to up the capacity and add to cooling. So I was thinking why not just use what I have in the radiator.

I'd bet I'd get a ton more capacity, it would all be tucked away and it's there already... so it's almost a "free" mod.

Funny.... I have never used the words "free" and "mod" in the same sentence before. :

 

If your going to get hydro assist, then I'd say definetly use the cooler.

Here's some good links on hydro assist if you haven't seen them yet....

http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=4699.0


http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=10579.0

 

Yes, you can use the radiator cooler for power steering. Pressure is not an issue as long as you run the return line to it, not the pressure line. The line that runs from the pump to the steering gear is not the line to use. Instead use the the one that runs from the steering gear to the stock cooler (the loop in front of the radiator) or from the cooler to the reservoir. Note that these lines use simple hose clamps for attachment, not threaded fittings. You can either replace the stock cooler or keep it in the line as well.

 

Is the return line the smaller one? The transmission lines look like the smaller one would work better.

Ok, never mind figured it out. Sorry but mine does not have the stock cooler or even the loop for that matter. Goes from the gear straight to the reservoir.