Loadmaster '47 COE

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so lesson learned on air bag systems: be very careful on mounting to insure bag does not rub metal. Rubbed a hole in my passengers side bag causing a loss of pressure on that side. The truck dropped to the bump stop but I was able to limp 20 miles to home. No sharp turns and a few bumper grinds got me home safe and sound. The ironic thing is the bump stop is what I was rubbing on. Had I not had it in place I would have been stranded for sure, but had I not had it in place I would have not had the issue to begin with. Had 2 extra bags so all is well now.
Picked up a compressor today for $25. How it's time to find or build the other components.
Rob

[Chance48]

Damn man! Glad you got home safe without damage to the ole girl. I've got a clearance of about 3/16" between my shock and bag. I don't know if it will ever touch it during a ride. It doesn't touch it no matter what ride height it sets at when setting idle. Where did you find that compressor for $25?! Nice score. If I hadn't already spent the benjamins on my viair comps I'd be lookin for an engine driven compressor option. Next build maybe.

[Dieselwrencher]

Rob, great work! It looks awesome laying that front bumper!

[lower50's]

Nice save. Nice score!!

[joedoh]

I have had electric compressors and the last 3 cars/trucks had edc. never again electric!

[99 to Life]

Truck gods were upon you! I'll have to look into an EDC sometime as well.

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks all, Chance I got the compressor at Ed Powell auto salvage, it's a local yard and he has a small building full of compressors of all types. If you can't find one local when it comes time let me know and I'll hook you up.

I've been checking on the other parts needed to complete and it looks like around $120 more should do. Of coarse that does not include a mounting bracket for the compressor itself, that is something I will need to fab up myself due to the alternator location, which is now in the old AC compressor location. So this is the location I have to work with, I have 2 options: I can get a combo pulley for the alternator and drive the compressor off of that or remove the tensioner, mount the compressor in it's location and use it to tension the main belt. If I go the second route I will need to buy a new clutch for the compressor and a new main belt. If I go the first i will need the combo pulley and a new V-belt. The first route is a little cheaper but I only have a 4 rib belt running the alternator verses a 6 rib main belt.
Looking for input or other ideas on this one.

[Advanced Design]

I like the option of replacing the tensioner with the compressor. One thing I am researching is if the tensioner function serves any other purpose beyond applying a specific tension to the belt. Thinking theoretically...does the tensioner also flex and absorb pulses in the belt system that may damage xx component. I am probably overthinking this. If I come across something I will chime back in.

One variable not evident in the pictures is which location is most possible to fabricate a solid stable mount? Might influence where to put the compressor.

[47 Fasttoys]

Looking over my post I was not real clear. In both cases I would need to mount the compressor above the radiator hose in the area of the tensioner, if I go with the combo pulley driving it off the alternator it will be more to the right side. I'm going to pull the covers off this week-end and get a better idea of what I have to work with. I also realized I have not removed the covers since before my road back in April of last year, just goes to show, modern drive trains require very little attention.
Rob

[lower50's]

I had my compressor mounted solid on the frame in my Jeep. Using a v-belt, I made my own spring tensioner on the slack side. Offroaded 5 years with that setup never lost a belt.

[Chance48]

Thanks Rob, I'll be in touch about a compressor in the future.

I think the 4 groove belt will be fine. The alt pulley is much smaller. I think it'll I'll be under driven enough that you won't have issue. I know, it's only a hunch but I like that idea best. I would try it if it where mine.

I also like lowers idea. I was actually thinking about that when I was looking at mine with thoughts of engine driven comp, after I read your og post about it.

[Mhubbard85]

Hey rob just checking in on your progress. It's amazing that we work in the same plant and see each other as little as we do. Well cudos on the pump find and can't wait to see how it goes in. Also can't wait to get out to finish my cab as I am sure the space it is taking up is needed. Again thanks for your help bud. I got a little done on my bed today! It's got me excited for sure!

[47 Fasttoys]

Some parts arrived yesterday and I got a little work done today. I bought the rear helper bags off E-bay. The bags are a shorter stroke then I expected but I'm only using then for heavy loads so I don't think it will be an issue. You can see a comparison in size. The mounts on the other hand are very sturdy and will work good later if I end up lowering the rear. I also received my new clutch for my engine driven compressor project. I took 2 pieces of plate steel I had, welded them together and milled some slots in for some adjust-ability so now I need to start on the mounting of the main plate. I also removed the compressor head and tapped both ports for fittings to be installed later.
Rob

[solidaxel]

As a thought, I had a alternator running a V belt pulley on the drive shaft on a 34 ford back in the 70's, looks like you have a lot of room under the bed to mount a York comp.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I have been making a little progress on 2 projects: On the speaker panel project I have mounted the grill using 2 small hinges and a piece of nylon strap I cut from an old folding chair bag. I also added a magnet I pulled off the fridge to hold it closed. Works great and cleans things up a bit. I'm also back on the engine compressor mount project. Working on building the mount. It will all fit but I will need to add a smooth pulley in place of the groved tensioner pulley to keep the belt from rubbing the lower radiator hose. I will need to mill 1 ear down due to the mounting leg of the compressor mount. I will also need to support the plate from below. I think I can use the alternator mounting tabs as pick up points for the lower legs. Of course I will also need a longer belt.
Rob

[BlueJeep]

I realize I'm late on the draw here, but here you go:

https://goatbuilt.com/shop/products/...assenger-side/

[Advanced Design]

The box behind the speaker grill looks good. Did you weld it in Rob?

[47 Fasttoys]

Thanks for the thought Bluejeep, that would have worked except mine had to be mounted horizontal because of the floor of the cab. The top of the compressor in my case will be about the mid-pulley point of the unit shown. For the price that would have been a bargain compared to the hours I have invested in this design.
Hey AD, no for the speaker grill it is held in by rivets, I could not use screws due to the box mount flange. The box is held in place by 3 screws and 1 rivet.
Rob

[lower50's]

Your speaker panel cover looks great. No one will ever know anything is behind it.

[47 Fasttoys]

OK, so I now have a working EDC. I had to make some adjustments on the mount to get the belt to align. Speaking of belt, as it turns out I can use the belt I took off to drive everything except the PS pump so now I have a spare for emergencies. I was able to reuse the idler pulley I removed during the alternator relocation and mount it to the modified tensioner which now holds the pulley to the inside and is fixed in position. I been testing the system for about 200 miles now and except for a small leak in a fitting somewhere on the tank side all is well. For power I can go from 0 to 130 PSI in about 1 minute at idle and cut that time down to under 30 seconds at around 1500 RPM. I now have the system on a toggle switch but I think I will switch to automatic control in the future. Total cost for the addition of the compressor to the existing bag system $237.
Rob

[Palf70Step]

Kewl! Glad it is working out.

[Chance48]

It's all gorgeous Rob!! I really, really wished I didn't have these electric compressors here now.....this idea is in my arsenal for a future build no doubt. I love learning.

Chance

[joedoh]

an EDC will change your life, seriously!

a word or two of advice:

run a check valve between the compressor and the tank, or it will bleed back through the compressor. plus its just good practice.

run a stainless leader hose off the compressor and a high pressure water/particulate trap. EDC speed comes at a price, heat, and you will melt plastic line without some buffer for the heat like the leader hose. for the trap, some EDC will have oil blowby and the high heat of the compressed output can produce a lot of water in condensation.

and I did all my filling at idle, and the edc belt was always a bit chirpy, mostly because of the serious horsepower drain.

[lower50's]

That looks very nice. For a pressure switch use on of these. It is a pressure switch from a home compressor, they are about $35. I have had one in my Jeep for 18 years. Just wire it inline from switch to compressor.

[Chance48]

All very good points...great info here, thanks

Chance