Owl Vans Grenadier Steering Box Upgrade

[pmatusov]

Unless there's some giant variability in p/s pump quality, most likely, the whine is air in the system. I don't have that much of a whine to bitch about, so I can't offer any help. Also, I just came back from a long trip with 4 Grenadiers in the group, and, while some were louder than the others, not one exhibited any significant whine.

I do find claims with pump effect on steering very dubious.
First, the stronger is the pump, the lighter is the steering wheel, and less of self-centering. Anyone who's driven vehicles with old GM pumps and Land Rovers can make that correlation.
So, they are using the weaker pump intentionally to improve self-centering???
They may have found a pump/controller combination that can change the power assist - including reduction in power/volume of pump output.
It will definitely NOT change the turning radius. On my truck, I found the damper making contact with other parts - meaning my steering radius would not change even if I turned the steering stops all the way in.

 

[MileHigh]

I do notice that when I turn the IG in a constant circle, I can move the wheel more as I keep turning. So maybe if the pump power changes, you’ll be able to get to that smaller circle faster???

I’ve filled and lowered and filled my steering resivior and excercised the pump with constant turns. My wife can still hear me before she see’s me when I go to pick her up at work.

 

[pmatusov]

I do notice that when I turn the IG in a constant circle, I can move the wheel more as I keep turning. So maybe if the pump power changes, you’ll be able to get to that smaller circle faster???

I’ve filled and lowered and filled my steering resivior and excercised the pump with constant turns. My wife can still hear me before she see’s me when I go to pick her up at work.

It's been known for a long time - crank the steering wheel all the way, and then lean on it - it'll turn a little more. It looks like there are "soft steering stops" in the system - to prevent the full-lock condition to be persistent.

As far as what's involved in keeping the pump from cavitating - I have no idea. Mechanically-driven pumps in other vehicles also vary - Ford's are known to whine very loudly.

 

[Zimm]

It's been known for a long time - crank the steering wheel all the way, and then lean on it - it'll turn a little more. It looks like there are "soft steering stops" in the system - to prevent the full-lock condition to be persistent.

As far as what's involved in keeping the pump from cavitating - I have no idea. Mechanically-driven pumps in other vehicles also vary - Ford's are known to whine very loudly.

Maybe blueprint it. completely disassemble the pump, and remove material and polish every sharp edge. pretend like its 1985 and you're running a mustang gt in a stock drag class and smooooooth it all out. it could be as simple as a poor fitting gasket causing the cavitation.

 

[Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)]

Hey All,


Just wanted to jump in and give everyone an update. We’ll be sharing a lot more details shortly. The current listing went up a little early. You’re all right, this is a pump upgrade and software upgrade, not a steering box. We have a full steering box in development. Someone on the web team just used the wrong term.

We’re obviously biased, but we’ve worked incredibly hard on this system, and for anyone who’s driven it, the difference is dramatic. It completely transforms how the Grenadier feels—much more like a modern SUV. You can cruise the freeway with one hand instead of working the wheel back and forth. It performs exceptionally well off-road too, with tens of thousands of test miles both on and off pavement across our vehicles. The INEOS team has driven it and loved it, and we even worked directly with them to ensure full software integration with no error codes.

If you’re curious, we’re happy to offer test drives. It’s one of those upgrades you have to experience to really get it. We’ll have a full video coming soon as well.

You can test drive it at our Anaheim or Phoenix locations now, and soon in Austin (we just haven’t installed it on that Grenny yet). Currently, it has been fully tested and verified on the Grenadier SUV. It should also work well on the Quartermaster, though it may trigger a power steering code until we’ve finished the software for that platform; they’re a little different.

Thanks as always for all the feedback and support. We’re really proud of this one and can’t wait for more of you to drive it.

John & The Owl Team

 

[ppearman]

Hey All,


Just wanted to jump in and give everyone an update. We’ll be sharing a lot more details shortly. The current listing went up a little early. You’re all right, this is a pump upgrade and software upgrade, not a steering box. We have a full steering box in development. Someone on the web team just used the wrong term.

We’re obviously biased, but we’ve worked incredibly hard on this system, and for anyone who’s driven it, the difference is dramatic. It completely transforms how the Grenadier feels—much more like a modern SUV. You can cruise the freeway with one hand instead of working the wheel back and forth. It performs exceptionally well off-road too, with tens of thousands of test miles both on and off pavement across our vehicles. The INEOS team has driven it and loved it, and we even worked directly with them to ensure full software integration with no error codes.

If you’re curious, we’re happy to offer test drives. It’s one of those upgrades you have to experience to really get it. We’ll have a full video coming soon as well.

You can test drive it at our Anaheim or Phoenix locations now, and soon in Austin (we just haven’t installed it on that Grenny yet). Currently, it has been fully tested and verified on the Grenadier SUV. It should also work well on the Quartermaster, though it may trigger a power steering code until we’ve finished the software for that platform; they’re a little different.

Thanks as always for all the feedback and support. We’re really proud of this one and can’t wait for more of you to drive it.

John & The Owl Team

That is great to hear !! One question that a number of people have thought about (me included) is whether it addresses the Power Steering Pump Whine issue - that would make this even more interesting !!!

 

[MileHigh]

Maybe blueprint it. completely disassemble the pump, and remove material and polish every sharp edge. pretend like its 1985 and you're running a mustang gt in a stock drag class and smooooooth it all out. it could be as simple as a poor fitting gasket causing the cavitation.

Polish job… for $2500? The last time I paid $2500 for a ‘Polish job’…..

Hey All,


Just wanted to jump in and give everyone an update. We’ll be sharing a lot more details shortly. The current listing went up a little early. You’re all right, this is a pump upgrade and software upgrade, not a steering box. We have a full steering box in development. Someone on the web team just used the wrong term.

We’re obviously biased, but we’ve worked incredibly hard on this system, and for anyone who’s driven it, the difference is dramatic. It completely transforms how the Grenadier feels—much more like a modern SUV. You can cruise the freeway with one hand instead of working the wheel back and forth. It performs exceptionally well off-road too, with tens of thousands of test miles both on and off pavement across our vehicles. The INEOS team has driven it and loved it, and we even worked directly with them to ensure full software integration with no error codes.

If you’re curious, we’re happy to offer test drives. It’s one of those upgrades you have to experience to really get it. We’ll have a full video coming soon as well.

You can test drive it at our Anaheim or Phoenix locations now, and soon in Austin (we just haven’t installed it on that Grenny yet). Currently, it has been fully tested and verified on the Grenadier SUV. It should also work well on the Quartermaster, though it may trigger a power steering code until we’ve finished the software for that platform; they’re a little different.

Thanks as always for all the feedback and support. We’re really proud of this one and can’t wait for more of you to drive it.

John & The Owl Team

John, any comments about
- the noise level from the pump relative to stock?
-Is this a modification of standard pump or a different pump
-ETA on the video and units

Thanks

 

[Dokatd]

Hopefully John will speak up about the noise levels, but I am fairly certain the noise is the electric motor not cavitation. I am prepared to be wrong on that, but I'd put money on it at this very moment.

 

[spyder6255]

Let’s get the test drive video out

 

[Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)]

I actually forgot about the noise since I haven’t heard it in a while. We focused more on improving function than the sound itself, but the fact that I forgot about it makes me think it’s gone. Our rig’s getting the windshield replaced right now (shocker), but once I get it back I’ll confirm the noise is gone.

As for the pump itself, it’s a totally new design with new software, not a modified version of the old one. It was built specifically for the Grenadier

Units should start arriving any day now. They shipped out to us on Monday. We’ve got a few hundred on order, which should tell you how confident we are that you’ll like it, but the first shipment is around 30 units I believe. I’m really excited about this one. It’s been over a year in development.

John

 

[Borg54 (Owl Outdoor)]

Let’s get the test drive video out

I’ll see if I can get something up tomorrow as a teaser.

 

[CrazyOldMan]

I actually forgot about the noise since I haven’t heard it in a while. We focused more on improving function than the sound itself, but the fact that I forgot about it makes me think it’s gone. Our rig’s getting the windshield replaced right now (shocker), but once I get it back I’ll confirm the noise is gone.

As for the pump itself, it’s a totally new design with new software, not a modified version of the old one. It was built specifically for the Grenadier

Units should start arriving any day now. They shipped out to us on Monday. We’ve got a few hundred on order, which should tell you how confident we are that you’ll like it, but the first shipment is around 30 units I believe. I’m really excited about this one. It’s been over a year in development.

John

Pretty cool that you guys were willing to engage directly here (on a pretty touchy subject). We’re all looking forward to learning more, as well as your future development on the steering box. And we feel you on the windscreen ;o). Rock strike or spontaneous crack on lower edge? JK - you don’t need to answer that question.

 

[parb]

I really look forward to a review.
Ideally from someone well known on the forum.

 

[Dokatd]

I really look forward to a review.
Ideally from someone well known on the forum.

Since I am one of the loudest here regarding handling I will gladly try it out on my truck. Certainly if I am appeased then everyone else SHOULD be good. Plus my factory pump screams like a banshee so I will most certainly know if that's resolved.

Maybe John will hook me up

 

[HereinDaRockies]

Well gawwwdd damn.. never thought I’d see the day aftermarket would fix the steering whine before Ineos.

Well they still can’t figure out the hvac 3 model years in…… so

 

[parb]

Since I am one of the loudest here regarding handling I will gladly try it out on my truck. Certainly if I am appeased then everyone else SHOULD be good. Plus my factory pump screams like a banshee so I will most certainly know if that's resolved.

Maybe John will hook me up

Head over to Arizona (southwest?) and go for a test ride??