[bigdog]

I am about to buy and ARB Air Locker and probably the CKMA12 Air Compressor. It seems like for the extra money having the onboard air to inflate tires is a good idea. What I am trying to locate is the optimal location to mount the compressor. So I am curious to see where others that have mounted an onboard compressor have mounted it, and what types of brackets they've fab’d.

My thought is that there might be sufficient room between the grill and the radiator and that a brace could be fab'd to create a shelf to mount the compressor on. I'll work on proving this theory this afternoon.

Another thought was to create a bracket that attaches to the utili-track so that the compressor can hang off the rail in the bed.

Anyway, would like to see what other have come up with.

 

[bigdog]

three options

Option #1 is on the side rail over the wheel well. I like this location cause its over the wheel well so it won't interfere with things i put in the bed and it should be easy to connect the air hose to.

Option #2 on the front rail below the jack. This is probably a safer place for it since it is a little more out of the way, but connecting the air hose may be slightly more difficult.

Option # 3 Between the grill and radiator. This is definitely my favorite spot. The bracket will be a bit more complex, and the fit is a little tight, but this could work and stay nice and cool up front.

Here is one with the grill back over the mock up

and here is what you'd see from straight on

I'm interested to hear what other think of these three locations, or where else folks have mounted them. Meanwhile, I will probably start refining the design of the radiator mount.

 

[Jeff024]

I have been looking at them also and when I finally decide to do it I will locate it as close to the front as I can because I want to drill a hole on the front bumper to put a quick connect for an air line to inflate tires.Id like to get 1 big enough to run small air tools.

im after something like this

 

[bigdog]

oh man, I like the idea of the air chuck in the bumper.

 

[Jeff024]

nothing like just walking up and plugging in and not lifting the hood getting in the bed or under the truck

 

[bigdog]

yea and that would work out well if mounted right behind the grill. You could run a short line down into the bumper and terminate with an air chuck.

 

[HarshReality001]

oz did it first and did it right:

OBA On The Cheap - Second Generation Nissan Xterra Forums (2005+)

 

[mrgrayaz]

oz did it first and did it right:

OBA On The Cheap - Second Generation Nissan Xterra Forums (2005+)

pfft, i run two of those compressors in parallel, you definately WILL NOT be running air tools of them. Mine with a 5 gallon tank wont even run a impact for more then 2 lugs before you have to stop and wait for it to recharge

And I dislike the loss of cooling you will see by putting the sucker in front of the radiator. you are directly covering up part of a engine cooling device that relies on AIRFLOW.

this is one reason I havent put an offroad bumper on my truck, blocks half your airflow

Of course, I live in phoenix, you guys probably wont notice a difference. I would stick them underneath the bed, next ot the gas tank or behind the transfer, and then run breather tubes to the rear taillights or under the hood

 

[elocker]

this is where i put mine..

I have a 150 psi pump and 5 gl tank in the front left corner of the bed...

 

[bigdog]

oz did it first and did it right:

OBA On The Cheap - Second Generation Nissan Xterra Forums (2005+)

thanks for pointing this thread out. when I had the grill off today I was looking at that shelf on the SW bumber, but was concerned about the winch being right there. I'll have to take another look at that location.

 

[Jeff024]

thats just what I want

 

[bigdog]

Well as one would expect the ARB Locker for our truck is on backorder, but the compressor was in stock so that gave me some time to develop a mounting bracket. I decided to do something simple with a couple pieces of angle iron for arms and a shelf. This should be strong enough without blocking air circulation.

The compressor fits in this space nicely

here is a shot from above. The 2 black plugs on the tank are where the solenoids will mount for the air service so this will be easy access but I do still want to mount a quick disconnect on the bumper.

here is a shot with the grill on.

So now I've got to paint it.

 

[HarshReality001]

like

 

[bigdog]

like

thanks, The bracket is now painted and mounted and the harness is in place. I've got a couple more connections to make and the plumbing.

Here is an updated photo.

 

[frontyfan]

Looks great man!

 

[bigdog]

Had to do a little bit of rework on the bracket and flip compressor around to get it plumbed.

I was blocking too much air so here is what I trimmed.

I flipped the compressor and mounted the air inflation kit straight up.

I still may plumb into bumper later, but for now this location works great.

 

[domoMKIV]

i like that a lot

 

[mike]

that is nice.

 

[Jeff024]

good job now I gotta do this soon Thanks

 

[bigdog]

haha, yea that seems to be how it goes on this forum. The only way to stop spending money on the truck is to stop looking at what eveyone else is doing.

Anyway, locker should go in on the 15th and then I'm going to be looking for a place to test it all out.