I like the idea of replacing the pump with electric so it has full assist at all speeds.
As for full hyrdaulic steering, with how many times I have broken my stock steering and had a complete loss of directional control, I can't even begin to imagine how hydraulic steering would be worse. We have hydraulic steering on most of our tractors, and even when a line is cut, you have some limited steering (one ram still works until you pump the fluid out, and believe me, it is obvious something has happened). I'm just tired of snapping off pitman arms, and having the truck go whatever direction it wants
The only reason I have not swapped to full hydraulic steering on my truck is because the wheel can slowly "drift" and stretch/break the clockspring. So going to a 12V pump might be a good alternative, and should be street legal in all states (full hydro isn't legal in some states). It won't help the broken part issue (might make it worse), but it would at least give more control off-road and at low speed.