Mounting components - locations?

[kxmotox247]

Hey air ride experts...
Where have you guys been mounting the following components:
Solenoids?
Air Compressor?
Air tank?

I have a truck that the previous owner installed an air ride system on it. The compressor in located on the inner fender and the solenoids are mounted next to it on the radiator support. The air tank is located on the outside of the frame rail.
Where are you 67-72 guys installing your equipment at?

[Slammed67]

I have my valves behind the seat, two tanks under the bed, and an engine driven compressor. I used to have two electric compressors mounted to the frame rails under the cab.

[kxmotox247]

What's an engine driven compressor look like? I'm not real happy with the wiring/plumming so I may be relocating some of this stuff. I'm going to be pulling the motor/tranny and front clip to do some major detailing and I'm thinking that this is going to be the time to change some things around.
Thanks for replying!

[Slammed67]

An engine driven compressor is a compressor that is literally driven via a drive belt on the engine. The most common compressor used for this application is an older York A/C compressor found on 70's-80's Fords, Volvos (and some others). These compressors have their own oiling system and don't rely on freon-oil for lubricaiton. Therefore you can use them up pump air also.

Here is a link that might be helpful regarding the engine driven compressors.

http://www.coloradok5.com/york.shtml

Off-road guys use them a lot for a portable air source for inflating tires and operating power tools.

Advantage: They pump MUCH faster than electric compressors without the annoying buzzing sound

Disadvantage: Only pump air when engine is running and are somewhat "ugly".

[Slammed67]

Oh, by the way, the guy that you bought that truck from is a friend of a friend of mine.

[kxmotox247]

Interesting...I figured they were driven off the motor but didn't realize what they actually are.
The blue truck is nice...has a great stance...is fun to drive...etc... But, it needs some serious attention to detail (while thinking about safety). I've alread had an electrical short which nearly resulting in a fire under the hood. It left me stranded on the side of the interstate at 6:30 a.m. with the truck completely flat on the ground...untowable. If you saw the spaghetti wiring (looks like the old Ron Francis ads) you'd know exactly why I'm planning on redoing/rethinking the entire air ride system. The alternator wire become a dead short which smoked about 8 other wires at the same time...which then melted into the mess of air ride lines in the engine compartment coming from the solenoids. Man...I was pissed!
I bought the truck to drive around and have fun in but my goal for it over the next year is to detail it out into a really nice driver for my dad and brother.
Thanks for the help. I'll be starting in on this sometime soon and I may PM you, if that's okay, with some questions. I've always liked your truck and have checked out your website quite a few times.

[jlaird]

I've seen the valves come right off the tank, but I've read that the closer the valves are to the bags, the better.

I personally like when the tank and compressors are under the bed because they are tucked out of the way and out of sight. Just my 2¢

I'm still learning about this stuff, and still looking for a truck!

[SCOTI]

I mounted my 3gal tank just behind the cab, bolted under the wood bed floor. My compressor is also back there to keep air line length to a minimum. I keep my control panel wrapped in a towel under the center of the bench seat & just pull it out from underneath whenever I need to adjust the ride height. The wiring runs along the pass side frame rail to the batt. My set-up is just rear bags only.

[N2TRUX]

kxmotox247 I know you said 67-72, but I thought I would throw mine in here too.

On my 77 Cheyenne the compressor is mounted at the very rear of the frame...

[N2TRUX]

The tanks are two 5 gallons mounted on a rack where the spare tire once was....

[N2TRUX]

The valves are mounted on a plate that is mounted to the frame right under the drivers seat....

[N2TRUX]

A digital gauge was mounted in the ashtray......

[N2TRUX]

And a switch panel was made to mount against the seat. The switches are right at my finger tips...

[N2TRUX]

Another view. The switch in the middle triggers all the valves for a one touch dump....

[jlaird]

thanks for the visuals. Your setup was the one I was thinking of.

What are the options for the digital gauge beside Digital Dakota. Anything out there less expensive?

[N2TRUX]

The one I have came from Air Ride Technologies. I'm sure there are others available....

[kxmotox247]

N2Trux...
Thanks for all the photos. That definately gives me some ideas. I like how you've mounted the tanks and compressor. No issues with mounting the compressor on it's side? Do they have oil in them? Mine is mounted at an angle and I worry that the piston isn't getting the oil like it needs anyway. I think I may move mine to the back like yours. I also like how you put your controls in the ashtray. Lots of creativity there for sure! Thanks for the ideas.

[N2TRUX]

All the work on my truck was done by Roger at www.stokedoutspecialties.com. He has quit a few years experience at building hot rods. I told him that I wanted to keep things as original looking as possible, and this was the results.

The compressor can be mounted on it's side with no problems. The ViAir compressor is a good one, but it is loud. That's why it was mounted as far away from the cab as possible...

[kxmotox247]

Definately a cool setup! My compressor isn't a Viair and it is very loud mounted on the inner fender.
We mounted an electric fuel pump on one of our street rods on the rear frame. You could feel the vibrations throughout the car when it turned on. I definately like where you've got stuff mounted at.