compressor and tank mounting

[68is4me]

Does any body have any pictures of how you guys are mounting the air tanks, compressors, and valves?

I have searched several builds but have not found a whole lot pictures. I have an Accuair Elevel, 5 gallon air tank, 2 vair 400c compressors, and I do not really want to mount inside of the box.

Oh yah, it is 68 c10, swb, stepper with a boyds fuel tank. Stock control arms with a small c-notch. TIA Mike

[Sammy]

The majority use a mount attached to the frame in front of the rear tires. Allowing all the grime on such an expensive set up doesn't make sense for me. I travel quite a bit on non-paved roads so it would be a challenge for me. I considered behind the seat but wasn't enough room for the entire setup. If you wanted to split it up then that is possible. I will end up in front end of the bed using my EXO mounts. Re-post what you decide. Looking good...

[Sammy]

I just looked at PB's site looks like they only show a frame mount for a 3 gallon tank n one compressor. Which would require you to split one to each frame rail..

[slowcpe]

I'm facing this very same dilemma. The stepside is where the real challenge lies. Even with the PB brackets I don't think there is enough room for the compressor and a 3-gallon tank due to the contour of the rear fender. Its tempting to go with the EXO mount but I really want to retain as much bed space as possible.

Here is my "plan", we will see how it goes.

Truck: '67 swb stepside
Boyd Tank
Accuair e-Level
Single 480c compressor
PB Stage II Basic Rear w/adjustable TA crossmember. Stock arms (for now)
PB air management bracket for added protection of the compressor mounted behind the driver's rear tire
PB tubular frame crossmembers in front of and behind the gas tank

If my calculations are correct (and judging by some pics I've seen), the plan is to mount a slim 5-gallon tank between the rear crossmember and rear bumper. I haven't ordered the air tank yet as I've found a few with different dimensions. Once I get all this mocked up I will re-measure and then pick out the correct tank.

[Sammy]

I had this pic saved of someone's bed setup.

[68is4me]

I have looked at EXO mounts but if it go that route I will build my own. Have also looked at PB's mount and I emailed them to see if the mount would work with a step side.

I think I saw one on here that had the compressor mounted to the frame by the step, and the tank under the cab. I might try that route, and just do a couple 3 gallon tanks.

[68is4me]

Originally Posted by Sammy

I had this pic saved of someone's bed setup.

Thats a nice clean install. I but those draw a few amps

[stevencvn72]

Put mine between the frame rails. I HAD a 5 gal air lift tank, but beached my truck when I busted off the drain valve which sat too low. Got this 4 gallon aluminum tank and check valve since then.

I raised the bed 2 inches also. Clears the rear diff and gives me more room to access the air ride.

[OneOffStroker]

I have two smaller tanks, and they tuck into my framerails nicely. Of course, mine is a '57 step side, but I don't think that the 67-72 rails are any smaller. I will mount one viair compressor behind the tank on the passenger side, and the accuair manifold behind the tank on the driver's side. The two tanks will be connected by an air line that runs along the trans crossmember.

I'm going this way because I also don't want any of this stuff in my bed, and I also don't want to raise my bed floor.

This pic is just a very basic mock-up, but you can get the idea

[jtp67-72]

here's my twist...........

[earl84]

Holy crap jtp67-72, that thing is a work of art. You obviously started with a very specific plan.

[lower50's]

Wow jtp67-72. Did you build all that? It looks great!!!!

[jtp67-72]

Originally Posted by lower50's

Wow jtp67-72. Did you build all that? It looks great!!!!

Combination of porterbuilt pieces and my own creations.....but not possible without "Nates" (porterbuilt) help.....at least in my case!!....jim

[panhandler62]

Almost seems a shame to put a bed back on, covering up all that art.

[Willie Makeit]

stepside here. mounted two spun aluminum 3 gallon tanks under the fenders, behind the rear tires. compressors are mounted on the outside of the frame rails where the spare tire used to be and where the gas tank is now. valves are mounted on rear cross member.

completely hidden and still have full use of my bed.

[slowcpe]

Do you have pics of that setup Willie. I just mocked up my rear frame crossmember. I'm now ready to make a decision on tank(s).

[68is4me]

Willie picture's please. Did you build some kind of shield in front of the tank to protect it from rocks? Also what brand of tanks and dimension are they?

[Willie Makeit]

sorry for the blurry pics.

~ first pic is looking down on the bed from above (good thing for y'all the wood isn't installed yet ) - compressors mounted on each side of frame rail on double isolated plates. they have rubber isolators both on the compressor and on the plate. really cuts down on vibration but not as quiet as I had hoped, but still much better than mounting compressors directly on the frame. aircraft components are sometimes mounted this way and that's where i got the idea. 8 valves are on rear cross member. front bag valves on front- rear valves on rear of cross member. i tend to keep things simple so i can remember what's what. lol.

~ second pic is looking from inside the fender well to the rear. placed phone in front of tire. (pic flipped to landscape mode when i uploaded )

~ no shields on tanks, never really been concerned. most air tanks on buses/semi trucks are mounted in pretty close proximity of the tires and they aren't shielded. never really thought about it. so far so good.

~ unsure of the type/brand of the tanks, i purchased them about 5 years ago. ebay maybe? dunno. <shrug>

hope this helps and let me know if i can help further.

[Willie Makeit]

quick search on fleabay turned these up. same tank i'm using but i can't vouch for this seller.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-GALLON-ALU...-/111280363312

[slowcpe]

That looks good Willie. If my original idea does not work I may go that route.

I got my rear frame crossemember in last night so now I get to figure how to mount my tank. The plan is to mount my Viair 480 on the driver's side outer frame using a PB air management bracket, the battery on the passenger's side outer frame and the tank behind the crossmember between that and the bumper. Judging from my measurements and Accuair's Cut Sheet on their 5-gallon tank it very well might work. Probably going to order one in the next day or two to try and mock it up.

Here's some pics for reference:

The rear crossmember mounted (I actually lost some space for the tank by using this over the stock. Didn't expect that.



It looks like there is 30" of width and up to 32" is I want to trim the frame a bit.



8" from crossmember to rear bumper. The metal bar close to the bumper is for the homemade trailer hitch. I will remove this if necessary.



Accuair's Cut Sheet for their 5-gallon tank. It looks the dimensions are 29.1" total width and 7.57" total depth. So as long as my mounting method is less than .43" it should fit, in theory.

[Willie Makeit]

don't forget to allow for fittings. i made this mistake. more than once.

[slowcpe]

I have thought of that. Doesn't mean I won't forget Figured I can possibly angle the tank down if need be.

[MattPSU]

Here's my set up. 5 gallon tank mounted in front of the bumpr but behind my Boyd tank on a piece of 2x2 square stock, 2 compressors - mounted on each side of the frame, valve block, relays, etc. mounted on the cross member in front of the tank. It's tight, but it works great there.

[68is4me]

Mattpsu, I like that set up. I was thinking the same thing but my 5 gallon tank wouldn't fit between the frame, but I noticed you set yours a little below. Nice!!

Are you using a raised box? I see the air lines coming out of the valve block sit a little high.

[MattPSU]

Originally Posted by 68is4me

Mattpsu, I like that set up. I was thinking the same thing but my 5 gallon tank wouldn't fit between the frame, but I noticed you set yours a little below. Nice!!

Are you using a raised box? I see the air lines coming out of the valve block sit a little high.

It took me a little while to figure out how to mount the tank back there. I ran a piece of square tube that runs from side to side. The tank is turned on it's side, and I ran bolts through the side of the legs on the tank into the square tube. It's tight, but there's about half an inch of clearance between the tank and my bumper. Here's a couple pictures that may show how I mounted it better.

I'm running the stock floor. The lines come out the top of the valve block and turn just enough to clear the floor.