Engine Driven Compressors for Air Suspension

[OG lil E]

I've been reading around the internet about guys who use A/C compressors instead of electric compressors for the air supply on air suspensions. I've seen kits for sale as well, but they seem expensive. How many of you air riders out there use A/C compressors? Did you use a kit or did you piece together your own system? Had any trouble with oil getting in the system?

Any answers would help. I've been around here a little while and I've never seen this topic come up. Alright boys......................let's hear it! E

[pbmcauliffe]

I have done a few newer trucks with the engine driven compressors and like them a lot, run a filter about 18" from the compressor and oil in the lines isn't a problem.
Kinda funny that off roaders have been using York compressors for many,many years for on-board air set-ups, but now it seems to be some newly found setup

[el curioso]

you will need a filter, dryer, 25 feet of air line i use the one from home depo its worked fine. you will need a ford or volvo compressor, the brackets from one that has a big flat side with holes on it this makes it easyer to aling and weld in. youll need a pressure switch and a check valve you can get it from grainger .you will also need to get a intake filter i used a breather filter the ones that look like the ones that ricers use.(no offense intended to any one with ricers just dont have any other way yo call them)and if you going to be using your serpentine set up a serpentine clutch. put it all together and wala there you have it. need some tec and guidence please look at this web page www.madxj.com under the on board air section. if your going to be using a normal air commpresor you will also require an oiler on the intake side of the commpresor. hope this helps.

just my .02 cents

[fastbagged68]

Go to onboardair.com I am running one on my burban once it is complete. Its the only way to go!

[smokekiki]

Is there room when You are running a/c?

[smokekiki]

Thanks el curioso.I just read the link You provided.

[Izzy]

I had mine mounted on the alternator side of the engine on my 83. It was a DIY kit from AirLift which is made of parts from Onboardair.com

[Shev]

Check out this link it explains how to mod a York so it doesn't discharge so much oil...here's another link that has helpful york info. Some people have problems with them because they don't take care of them properly...

[bagged72blaz]

What would oil in the lines hurt? My question is the weight of these compressors on the motor, and how the brackets hold up if your slamming down hard. Most of the compressors I've seen are really heavy.

[Izzy]

It could make your valves stick.

The York 209 weighs about 10 lbs and I didn't notice a difference after I mounted mine.

[bagged72blaz]

Maybe if it was really cold. But it would be better than water with no oil.

10 pounds is that it?

[GenIIIShorty]

if you guys are talking about the york compressors i think you are, check out www.coloradok5.com , they have a complete tech article on installations of york compressors, tells you exactly what you need to mount it, and what york pump to look for, for the good one! i think they got the complete installation done for something like $150, including the air tank and all the lines!!!

[Slammed67]

I'm running a York on my truck and like it much better than the two electric compressors I was running. I just picked up another York at the junkyard this weekend for $29 (for a spare or future project).

[OG lil E]

Slammed67, do you or have you ever had problems with getting oil in your system? What are you using to keep it out? Got any pics? Thanks E

[Slammed67]

The compressor hasn't seen a whole lot of use yet, so I can't say for sure how much oil passes through the compressor with regualr use. However, I have an oil/water seperator after my tanks/before the valves.

[bagged72blaz]

I was always conserned about rpm. And if they can handle 6,000 rpm. I know most engine driven comp. where designed for diesels running much lower rpm. I have a belt driven compressor I pulled off a 2 ton truck and it was so heavy it discuraged me from even tring it.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by Slammed67

I just picked up another York at the junkyard this weekend for $29 (for a spare or future project).

Hey, that's just what I was thinking too

[Shev]

I don't know of any company that has a york bracket for older small blocks....smashingchuck was supposed to send me an outline of his so I could draw it up so Jason could laser cut them. I'll get back on that project...how many people would be interested in a set if we can get them made?

[smbrouss70]

I would...

[el curioso]

why not just get the mesurements from here-->>http://ccicompressor.com/docs/CCIsrvice.pdf and make your own instead of having to PAY some one to make them. you will need little or no travel any way why mot make them your self. i made my own when i added oba to my jeep and every thing works fine up to today. try the web page that i had recently stated it really helps explain the process of a good braket. but if you have the dough go get them made. i would save that money and buy a cold one instead.

My$0.02

p.s heres the link for that web page http://www.madxj.com/ its a walk in the park.

[69burban]

I would Shev. It's a time thing for me. by the time I built one, I'm sure I would be happy to dish out 35.00 or so bucks. But if I can't find one I guess I'll have to build one......and then have a cold one!!

[TheFabShop]

These brackets are so easy to make.I get all my brackets laser cut and have just been getting a couple done at a time guess I could do more.I have been running these compressors for about 3 or 4 years now with great results.Once you have a line drive you will NEVER go back to an electric compressor.There is just a little maintenance that needs to be maintained to keep them up.I run them on 3 to 4 7gal tanks regularly at 200 psi no problem.

[LuckyFastEddie]

I have a 47 chevy PU 350/400 and a S10 2 pc drive shaft.The front drive shaft doesnt move up or down as it is secured at both ends. Could I put a pulley around the drive shaft and run a belt to the compressor which would be mounted to the side of the frame. Just dont have room at front of engine. It would be out of site and high enough for ground clearance even with bags aired out . From what I'm reading here a belt driven air compressor seems to be the way to go. Any feed back pro or con will be appreciated. Thanks

[Slammed67]

I have a 47 chevy PU 350/400 and a S10 2 pc drive shaft.The front drive shaft doesnt move up or down as it is secured at both ends. Could I put a pulley around the drive shaft and run a belt to the compressor which would be mounted to the side of the frame. Just dont have room at front of engine. It would be out of site and high enough for ground clearance even with bags aired out . From what I'm reading here a belt driven air compressor seems to be the way to go. Any feed back pro or con will be appreciated. Thanks

What happens when you have the truck lowered all the way and by some chance all the air leaks out of your tank(s)?? Not a practical idea.

[XXL]

Originally Posted by LuckyFastEddie

Could I put a pulley around the drive shaft and run a belt to the compressor which would be mounted to the side of the frame.

You might have problems with your transmission seal going out with all that side force. Or... I suppose you could balance out the load with a compressor on each side. But that sounds like a lot of trouble.