Engine Bay Compressor Mount

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Zane

Zane

10 Year 15 Year 20 Year
Joined
Nov 14, 2004
Threads
157
Messages
1,068
Location
Kansas City, Missouri
I have had this small compressor that I have used the past few years to air my tires back up after running the trials. I have pulled it out of my rear storage drawer and walked it around the truck as I aired up each tire. Its not that big of a deal to do, but its just a hassle to put it all away after I’m done. I have always wanted to do what “Kanaljen” did with his and copied his set up. His write up can be found here! What his write up didn’t show was the mount/bracket, so I figured I would post up how I built mine. I leveraged the bolt holding the air box in place as well as an existing hole in the finder to secure the bracket. I used a notched piece of steal so that I can access my headlight bulbs without having to remove the compressor if one burns out. I will be removing the little air filter from the air pump and plumbing in an air hose from the pump to the trucks air cleaner to pull cooler air into the pump. I will be working on the rest of the plumbing of the air hose this week and I will keep you all posted on what I decide to do.
engine bay.webp
top of mount.webp
compressor mounted.webp
 
Good job Zane! One more thing not taking up interior space anymore!
 
I finally got around to wrapping up this little project last night. It took me so long only because I hate to drill into anything without fully thinking things through. I purchased all the brass fittings from Lowes.

I had a hard time deciding if I should plumb the compressors air intake into the clean side or dirty side of the OEM air box. My concern was if doing it on the clean side and I didnt get a good seal, i could potentially suck dirty air into the intake. To resolve this issue, I used a thick rubber washer found in the plumbing department for toilets to put in between the washer and the plastic housing. I also made the hole I drilled one size too small and threaded male side of the brass fitting into the plastic housing creating a very tight fit. I can honestly say that NO air is going to get sucked in around this little connection! :)

I then added an air chuck to the output side of the pump to connect my flexible coil air hose to reach all my tires.

See pics.
side view.webp
brass fitting.webp
IMG00036-20100224-2130.webp
 
Zane: I assume you've not pulled code(s)? I was wondering if that might be enough to get the MAS pissed.
 
Very nice and clean. I put mine in the same location but without a nice mounting bracket. I cut four slots in the air box and used hose clamps around the compressor and through the box.

You have the luxury of a second battery behind the airbox, but I installed a 3 gallon air tank there and ran a hose through the frame to one of the storage boxes in the back of the truck where I can attach other hoses and tools. I have an air chuck under the hood at the tank too. Had to move the power steering container and the alarm horn to fit it all in. Mine is definitely not a clean install, but functional.
 
Anthony.L said:
That's before the MAF/MAS, why would it know/care?
Click to expand...

Didn't know if the MAS/MAF is calibrated for a certain volume of air upstream and/or vacuum (when the compressor is running). Probably a non-issue...but something I probably would find out the hard way ;)
 
spressomon said:
Didn't know if the MAS/MAF is calibrated for a certain volume of air upstream and/or vacuum (when the compressor is running). Probably a non-issue...but something I probably would find out the hard way ;)
Click to expand...

These questions also had me thinking about the correct placement of this tap into the air box, but I figured I gained greater air flow from adding my snorkel and any loss due to the air compressor when on has to be less than the restricted air flow the little factory intake thingy sitting behind the fender gave me. If that makes any since... :hhmm:

I will keep you all posted on if I throw any codes when the truck is running.
 
There had been some question as to if the truck would throw any codes by tapping into the air box, so I figured i would provide an update. It has been over a year and I have not had any ill effects from this mod and have been happy with the set up.
 
I already have a MV50, maybe I will visit the Fab shop by me later today and see if I can work something out?

Only issue with the fittings is the need to re-thread the output port hole to accept 1/4" npt. The tray and hardware I can see being easy to pull together.
 
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