Airbag and compressor install

[wyldman]

Posting this at Daves request,as we recently installed a Firestone airbag setup,Airlift electronic controller and remote valve body,and an upgraded ViaAir compressor.

I did the airbags,and fabbed the compressor mounting brackets,mounting plate,and shield.Dave did the wiring and controller himself.Hopefully he can add some more pics of the controller setup inside the truck.

Here are a few shots of the airbags.

[wyldman]

Compressor mounted under drivers side of the truck with an aluminum shield to keep some dirt and debris off it.Air lines are in black loom for protection as well.In the last pic you can see the remote air valves\solenoids to fill each bag independantly.The large round sensors on top feed back the individual airbag pressure to the digital controller in the cab.

[wyldman]

Last few.

Compressor bracket is pretty simple,just some angle iron,welded onto one of the body mount brackets on the frame.Compressor is isolated on rubber bushings mounted to the angle iron,and the valve block is mounted to the aluminum shield,which helps absorb shock and vibration as well.

[wyldman]

Forgot to add that we also put manual fill valves in for each airbag,in case the system ever fails.The bags should NEVER be run empty or damage may occur.If the compressor fails,or there is a leak,it can be easily filled with an air hose.Didn't take any pics,but they are installed in the rear wheel wells for easy access.

[apgarconstruction]

looks like a nice job chris. those are really nice to have in any pickup.
is there a way to cover the ends. that shield will do some, but seems like salt and road grim will reek havoc on that setup with the ends of the alum being open.

[BWhite]

Nice Job . I had the Firestone bags in my previous motorhome . They performed great !

[Mark Oomkes]

Is there as little room under the hood of a GM as a Ford? I probably would have opted for something out of salt spray and slush buildup if it were on one of my trucks.

[snowplowjay]

Is there as little room under the hood of a GM as a Ford?


Mark as long as you don't have the dual batteries there is a nice hole on the drivers side for a compressor to be mounted. Thats where I mounted mine. Nice and dry in there :)...

http://fordtruckworld.tenmagazines.com/gallery/04FX4LevelII/666498.jpg


Jay

[Mark Oomkes]

Thanks Jay, the only gasser Ford I have is my Expy. Never even looked under the hood of a SD gasser.

BTW, that looks great.

[skennedy]

Nice job.......Im sure that you will like them.
I had them fitted to my 3500 and love them.....would never be without them.

[wyldman]

Not a lot of room under the hood,unless you get real creative.Keep it lubed with Fluid Film,and it should be fine down there. :D

[Mark Oomkes]

I spoke with Jerre (he's busy with family, but his cell is on as always and I was thinking about having him do this on my truck) and he always installs the compressor either under the hood or in the cab. He says it needs some extra hose and fittings that don't come with the kit but these compressors will only last a year at the max in his SALTY environment when mounted to the frame rails.

Might be a little noisy in the cab, but reliablility is everything, IMO.

[apgarconstruction]

Looks as though the one that jay mounted was a lot smaller though than the ones on chris' setup. I can't imagine that the air compressor runs that much at all unless you are constantly fussing with the air pressure for different load. I almost think if you can sacrifice the space, possibly put it inside a diamond plate toolbox behind the cab, you wouldn't hear it much at all then.

[snowplowjay]

You don't need a very big compressor to do most of the things you guys are looking to do... Find yourself a nice 100% duty cycle compressor (VIAIRS are nice) and you will be all set..........


Jay

[John DiMartino]

I spoke with Jerre (he's busy with family, but his cell is on as always and I was thinking about having him do this on my truck) and he always installs the compressor either under the hood or in the cab. He says it needs some extra hose and fittings that don't come with the kit but these compressors will only last a year at the max in his SALTY environment when mounted to the frame rails.

Might be a little noisy in the cab, but reliablility is everything, IMO.

Ive run electric pumps on the frame rails with no trouble at all for years,the compressor in my kit came with a remote intake hose,so you can route it into the frame rails,so it picks up air only.I guess I need to find a better place for my 810' s plow motor too,it should be no good mounted so low on the a frame,exposed to all that salt,I guess it wont last a season at this rate:confused:

I have my compressor mounted under the hood,but if I had too mount it under the truck,I wouldnt like it,but Id do it.
Chris,nice pics on the install,thank you for taking the time to post the pictures.

[Plow Dak]

I think having a enclosed box for the pump might do more harm than good. And I bet Chris has seen problems with that type of setup. Trapping all sorts of stuff inside that box is more harm than anything. Even if you enclose it junk still gets in and then it sits. Being relatively open makes it drain better and dry out as well as easier to keep clean. A full box is not fun to open to diag a problem with snow packed all around either. They put the Chrysler Evap pumps right on the lower cross brace in the vans. Wide open.. Not all that many location problem related failures that i have seen.

Thanks for the pics Chris