Air Compressor Alternate Mounting

[JSparky]

Has anyone mounted a compressor someplace other than underhood? If so I'd be curious to hear your experience. I've got a 2013 with the AIP pump in front of the air box. I'd prefer not to mount the compressor behind the air box, I'm still debating on a dual battery setup. I'm looking at a Viair 450 without tank, for size considerations.

I wanna say I saw someone's post awhile back where they stuffed one inside the rear interior paneling, couldn't find it though.

 

[marshal]

there is plenty of room to mount a compact compressor like the dual ARB or a ViAir mounted sideways where the jack panel is.

personally though, i would want the compressor in the engine bay behind a shield - as compressors, especially ones that are not rated for constant duty - get EXTREMELY hot.

 

[Engineer]

My ARB Twin Compressor is currently Under the Passenger Seat, unfortunately I have not done the wiring so its not functional nor is it mounted (I measured for bracket but have yet to make it). Lots of write ups on Jeep forums about mounting these inside and does not seem to be a problem with noise or heat if used within reason. As I don't see myself getting a front air locker anytime soon and truck came with a rear E-locker If I was to do it again I would have gotten something in a case that I could have just alligator clamped to the battery during use. Its not as cool and you don't get to have a nifty switch for it but its easier, more portable and you can take it with you if you ever swap cars for trips etc (granted you can get a cheap compressor for those times but still).

 

[JSparky]

personally though, i would want the compressor in the engine bay behind a shield - as compressors, especially ones that are not rated for constant duty - get EXTREMELY hot.

You know what.. Didn't even think about heat. I'm not filling up 37s but good call regardless. I'll keep this in mind.

My ARB Twin Compressor is currently Under the Passenger Seat, unfortunately I have not done the wiring so its not functional nor is it mounted (I measured for bracket but have yet to make it). Lots of write ups on Jeep forums about mounting these inside and does not seem to be a problem with noise or heat if used within reason. As I don't see myself getting a front air locker anytime soon and truck came with a rear E-locker If I was to do it again I would have gotten something in a case that I could have just alligator clamped to the battery during use. Its not as cool and you don't get to have a nifty switch for it but its easier, more portable and you can take it with you if you ever swap cars for trips etc (granted you can get a cheap compressor for those times but still).

Thanks, yea I thought about a portable. On the flip side it's one less thing to have to stow away somewhere inside which is kind of what I'm attracted to. That and I've got stuff mounted under my front seats already. I'll have to crawl around underneath and see what kind of solutions I can find.

 

[marshal]

what you need to do is get a phat ARB bumper and modify it for a Warn Powerplant to fit, wow everyone on the forum, and go down a legend

 

[jrandom]

You know what.. Didn't even think about heat. I'm not filling up 37s but good call regardless. I'll keep this in mind

I have stock size tires and an ARB twin (behind the airbox) and from ~20 lbs to 40 times all four tires mine get pretty f'n hot, too hot to disconnect the hose coupler from the compressor with bare hands. I am not sure I would mount this particular compressor in a closed space without some forced ventilation to help cool it if you intend to use it often. Maybe it is just mine?

Maybe [MENTION=68685]Ducmonsta[/MENTION] will chime in he mounted one in the confines of the jack compartment he could say for sure how it works that way.

Also I think this compressor would really benefit from at a minimum the 1 gallon tank. Performance declines a bit after it gets hot.

 

[Jeremy556]

Maybe it is just mine?

Nope, any compressor with decent cfm is going to get extremely hot.

ETA: My dual Viair 400s have (IIRC) 36 or 48" long 3/8" stainless leader hoses coming out of them to act as heat sinks. They snake around each other and connect to a manifold that is only about 6 inches away from the compressors. Keeps the heat off the pressure switch and air locker solenoid.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Those compressors get HOT, hot enough to burn you if you don't pay attention in some cases. Compressed gases tend to heat up due to friction caused by the molecules rubbing/squeezing against each other; it's just physics. You want to squish a volume of air to fit 1cu/ft @ 100psi that is gonna generate a lot of heat, much in the same way SCUBA tanks are typically filled in water tanks to keep them cool (also to squeeze more air in them) because they're being filled to 3000psi.

I would say anywhere under the hood or under the frame would be nice; I would choose a well ventilated area in any case or provide ventilation in some fashion. If you're planning on placing it inside the vehicle I would highly recommend heat shielding of some manner and a way to get air to circulate over the compressor for cooling.

 

[Ducmonsta]

I have not had the experience of airing up all 4 tires at once yet. I have only used it to blow off sand and air up bike tires. It does get pretty hot and I have the rear pocket for the 3rd row removed for when I need to use it more consistently. The ultimate plan is to add a small air tank to alleviate the consistent use of the compressor. Just haven't gotten around to that yet.
Here is a link to the install in my build thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...ild-thread-very-pic-heavy-33.html#post1797593

 

[JSparky]

Sent a message to Viair. I was entertaining the thought of getting the portable 450P with the option to hard mount it later. They confirmed other reports I found elsewhere online that the portable models use a different head design, and that they're not meant to take the heat that could be experienced with an engine compartment mounting location. I suppose you could go backwards, and fab a portable tray for their hard mount compressor and splice in some alligator clips.. feels like make-work though. Still thinking hard mount just got to find the right spot. It'd be nice to go up and inside a frame rail with a nice boxed-in enclosure :wacko:

 

[jrandom]

ETA: My dual Viair 400s have (IIRC) 36 or 48" long 3/8" stainless leader hoses coming out of them to act as heat sinks. They snake around each other and connect to a manifold that is only about 6 inches away from the compressors. Keeps the heat off the pressure switch and air locker solenoid.

I would like to add at least a 1 gallon tank, thinking you have a good idea there. Is that stainless braided? or solid tubing?

I suppose you could go backwards, and fab a portable tray for their hard mount compressor and splice in some alligator clips.. feels like make-work though. Still thinking hard mount just got to find the right spot. It'd be nice to go up and inside a frame rail with a nice boxed-in enclosure :wacko:

Man if you had the coin and wanted to go the portable route temporarily either of the ARB portables, the single and the twin, are just their regular compressors stuck in a box.

 

[Jeremy556]

I would like to add at least a 1 gallon tank, thinking you have a good idea there. Is that stainless braided? or solid tubing?

Braided stainless. They must actually be 1/4" and 36" long
VIAIR Corporation - Leader Hoses

 

[jrandom]

Thanks [MENTION=78273]Jeremy556[/MENTION]

 

[JSparky]

I made a mock-up compressor. There's actually room in front of the air box, requires a rather elaborate bracket to be fabbed though. It's a perfect spot cause the engine fan blows right where the compressor motor would go, helping to keep temps at a minimum. This project might take some time.

 

[CSix]

I just mounted the ARB single compressor just behind the airbox. Really not that bad a location. (See my build thread) Thought about many locations but it does get too hot for the interior. Also, i didn't want it muddy so i did not mount it under the vehicle. I will add a one gal tank and run a fitting out the back. I had ViVair compressors and they get hot too. The ARB actually seems quieter but maybe I just mounted it better.

 

[jrandom]

I made a mock-up compressor. There's actually room in front of the air box, requires a rather elaborate bracket to be fabbed though. It's a perfect spot cause the engine fan blows right where the compressor motor would go, helping to keep temps at a minimum. This project might take some time.

What year is your 4runner? It should fit there just fine if you haven't got that confounded air pump. It may fit on top with a fancy bracket, maybe?

 

[96r50]

I installed a CKMA12 between the fuse box and the master cylinder. I had to drill two holes in the inner fender and shim it with an extra nut on one of the bolts but it was a pretty easy install.