Abstract: A reduced oil volume piston assembly for a hydrostatic unit includes a piston assembly having a piston body and a stem formed separately from the piston body. A cavity is formed in one end of the piston body. The stem includes an enlarged head and an elongated neck extending upwardly from the head. The neck lossely inserts into the cavity of the piston body so as to at least partially fill the cavity. The head is unattached to the piston body and cannot enter the cavity, but its shape allows fluid flow into the cavity around the stem. These components can be incorporated into the cylinder block assembly as separate components or the stems can be integrally cast with the cylinder block or attached thereto as a stem ring assembly.