Apex Steering Booster & Cooler - Initial reactions

[Chief_jeep]

I just got the apex steering booster and cooler installed. I had seen questions on both this forum and other forums in the past so I thought I'd make a post.

For reference, my Jeep is currently on 39" K02s. Prior to install, I could not turn the wheels at a stop at all. In 4x4 or with lockers it was even worse. It drove fine once I was moving but in tight parking lots or off-roading/rock crawling it was not ideal.

I set this pressure to around 1750 which is right in the middle of the 'green zone'. At this pressure I can turn the wheels with little effort in park. It's a night and day difference. These parts are required in the PSC system for the diesel so it made sense to do this first to break up both the install time and expense. I will likely still do a PSC in the future when I go to a larger tire but for those that don't want to spend the money or take on that project this a fantastic solution at a fraction of the cost.

I'll be going to Moab Thursday and will have some seat time to compare the differences then.

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[Rusty PW]

Where did you get the parts from?

 

[Chief_jeep]

https://www.apexdesignsusa.com/prod...t-kit-jl-jt-compatible?variant=40117350072367

 

[drewcnit]

I'll be going to Moab Thursday and will have some seat time to compare the differences then.

So how did this upgrade handle the 39s in Moab?

 

[Chief_jeep]

So how did this upgrade handle the 39s in Moab?

much better stock. Still can’t turn the wheel if the tire is bound up on a rock but overall it was much easier to turn when going slow or not moving. For the price I’d say it’s well worth it if. Also my steering pumping wasn’t screaming halfway into the trail

 

[Chief_jeep]

Much better than stock*

 

[WK2JT]

I was toying with the idea of doing this or the redneck Ram and came across this video on their site. Now it won’t add any additional cooling capacity and I haven’t gotten a flow gauge to measure how much this increased my boost, but it’s a 5 second mod that did help. I plan on getting a gauge to see where I’m at and if going one of the two routes above will be of additional benefit.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I was toying with the idea of doing this or the redneck Ram and came across this video on their site. Now it won’t add any additional cooling capacity and I haven’t gotten a flow gauge to measure how much this increased my boost, but it’s a 5 second mod that did help. I plan on getting a gauge to see where I’m at and if going one of the two routes above will be of additional benefit.

That’s quick and easy. A lot of the problems I was having was due to the steering fluid being too hot. The longer I was on the trail the worse the steering got and the louder the pump got

 

[WK2JT]

That’s quick and easy. A lot of the problems I was having was due to the steering fluid being too hot. The longer I was on the trail the worse the steering got and the louder the pump got

I haven’t had a chance to wheel since making this adjustment so we’ll see. I know Apex says you have to have the cooler for it to work properly, but they might be adding a lot more boost than this adjustment can make. The change was slight but noticeable after the adjustment. I was about to try the apex or redneck route, when I came across this video. Worst case I burn up the pump and can install one of the other options when I replace it. I watched the Apex video and just didn’t feel like digging in that much yet.

 

[WK2JT]

I haven’t had a chance to wheel since making this adjustment so we’ll see. I know Apex says you have to have the cooler for it to work properly, but they might be adding a lot more boost than this adjustment can make. The change was slight but noticeable after the adjustment. I was about to try the apex or redneck route, when I came across this video. Worst case I burn up the pump and can install one of the other options when I replace it. I watched the Apex video and just didn’t feel like digging in that much yet.

Also, I’m “only” on 37’s. ?

 

[jeep1]

Northridge did an install video a couple years ago that shows what's involved. Apex has improved the kit since then. The cooler now mounts where the high pressure line is on the frame rail.

I just did two kits (my JT and my wife's JL) .. both on 37s.. it's impressively better.

 

[Chief_jeep]

I just switched to 40 Baja boss and I can still turn the wheel when I’m parked. It’s a bit stickier but that’s expected. I’m planning on doing a PSC but I’m waiting on parts. The PSC uses the same apex parts so it was easy to do it in two steps.

 

[bakobobby]

Cool to hear some unbiased feedback on how the Apex boost works. Sounds like 39" on road are much improved but off road its still not optimal? You think you'll relent and go ram setup eventually? Planning 37" tires for long run. Lockers engaged off road getting the tires to move on rough stuff is a chore currently lots of rocking. Cheers!

 

[bakobobby]

Northridge did an install video a couple years ago that shows what's involved. Apex has improved the kit since then. The cooler now mounts where the high pressure line is on the frame rail.

I just did two kits (my JT and my wife's JL) .. both on 37s.. it's impressively better.

Interesting I watched the that install vid and some other older ones. My one worry was that the frame chop bumper I have would prevent fitment. Maybe with this new install location I'm good gonna read up on the install instructions.

 

[Chief_jeep]

Cool to hear some unbiased feedback on how the Apex boost works. Sounds like 39" on road are much improved but off road its still not optimal? You think you'll relent and go ram setup eventually? Planning 37" tires for long run. Lockers engaged off road getting the tires to move on rough stuff is a chore currently lots of rocking. Cheers!

It is much better for on road driving and a large improvement offroad but it’s still not quite enough if you are crawling. I think with 37s it’d be awesome!

I have a PSC kit on back order. Hoping to have it delivered in the next few weeks. I don’t even attempt to use my front air locker if I’m turning the wheel. I’ll engage it going up certain obstacles and immediately disengage it.

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