Which compressor and where to mount ?

[mgreen18 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mgreen18]

Hi Guys,

Looking at getting a compressor for a 120 series. Will be just tyres atm but then potentially air bags and lockers if required.
Just wondering recommendations on compressor brands/models and where is the best place on a vehicle to have them mounted ?

There seems to be a few engine bay mounted but a friend had his mounted under the passenger seat and I thought this would be a good option to keep the compressor out of the elements but then was also told 2nd hand information that inside the cab can be limited airflow and over heating, although I'm sure the A/C on the feet setting would keep things nice and cool if pumping up more than one vehicle.

Thanks
Matt

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Matt as Jasen said a lot depends on your budget. Under the bonnet isn't an issue for most of the compressors on the market. Do you have a petrol or diesel? Amts produces a very neat under bonnet bracket that takes the smaller ARB compressors and maybe others. You can add a small reservoir and solenoid to pretty much any compressor but the TJM and ARB compressors are a very easy fit. I have a 150 and run the twin motor ARB compressor under the bonnet but when I had my 120 initially I ran a Thomas Bluetongue IV compressor up near the brake booster and later the dual motor compressor in the winch space of the bullbar.

Also a few guys have fitted compressors inside the cab too. Many many posts.

[mgreen18 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mgreen18]

Thanks for the reply's mjrandom and Jasen.

Budget is not really too much of an issue but then at the end of the day I would just like a compressor that will do the things I need it to do and provide a handful of years service and reliability without having to refinance the house!

Does anyone have any negatives about a compressor under the front passenger seat ?
Would a twin motor arb unit fit under there?
Or is this a big no no if I end up getting it bagged and locked ?

I googled the AMTS bracket, looks pretty tidy.
Does this bracket still allow enough space for a duel battery to be installed later down the track ?
Do all the bracket use existing screw or bolt holes ?
I take it this Amts is designed for the CKMA12 arb high output onboard ?

What are the standard arb brackets like ?

Sorry for all the questions, just after a bit of feedback from everyday 4wd users rather than a sales pitch from the local 4wd stockist.
Will do another search and see what I can find.

Cheers guys
Regards
Matt

[Guest Close Guest]

I googled the AMTS bracket, looks pretty tidy.
Does this bracket still allow enough space for a duel battery to be installed later down the track ?
Do all the bracket use existing screw or bolt holes ?
I take it this Amts is designed for the CKMA12 arb high output onboard ?

What are the standard arb brackets like ?

Hi Matt,

I have updated the thread with the answers to your questions above. As the bracket is developed, some of the information is hidden amongst the posts in that thread so I have brought it to the first post.
http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...et-for-120-150

As for ARB brackets, there aren't any to suit a particular vehicle. The compressor comes with a base with radially slotted holes to mount onto whatever you can mount it to.

[Smithy - 120 D4D Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Smithy - 120 D4D]

Thanks for the reply's mjrandom and Jasen.

Budget is not really too much of an issue but then at the end of the day I would just like a compressor that will do the things I need it to do and provide a handful of years service and reliability without having to refinance the house!

Does anyone have any negatives about a compressor under the front passenger seat ?
Would a twin motor arb unit fit under there?
Or is this a big no no if I end up getting it bagged and locked ?

I googled the AMTS bracket, looks pretty tidy.
Does this bracket still allow enough space for a duel battery to be installed later down the track ?
Do all the bracket use existing screw or bolt holes ?
I take it this Amts is designed for the CKMA12 arb high output onboard ?

What are the standard arb brackets like ?

Sorry for all the questions, just after a bit of feedback from everyday 4wd users rather than a sales pitch from the local 4wd stockist.
Will do another search and see what I can find.

Cheers guys
Regards
Matt

Mrgreen, if you consider putting it under bonnet, I suggest first deciding on whether you want a second battery, and where you will place it, as this will limit your options. Per my rig build, I have a second battery on the passenger side firewall, and compressor near the drivers side headlight. I have seen others do the reverse, and put the compressor into an ARB battery tray on the passenger side firewall, or the AMTS bracket looks excellent for the same location.

Where I have mounted my compressor in the front, I just got my local 4WD workshop guys to put a couple of nutserts into the raised section on the RHS front qtr, to suit the mounting plate of the compressor. Didn't leave a lot of wiggle room, but fits very snugly.

If you are considering air lockers in the future,personally i would put the compressor under bonnet... The compressor is quite noisy as well.

[cfryback Find all posts View Profile Close cfryback]

Hey Matt if you can afford it the endless air is awesome and should last for years and years and is designed to live under the bonnet, your welcome to have a look at mine if your interested.

If you go for an electric compressor I'm sure it will be fine under there as loads of people have them installed and I haven't heard of any real issues.

I'm sure it would also be fine to install under the seat but I don't think I would only because I like to keep the AC running and the doors closed when I'm pumping the tyres up on a hot day.

OK, I'll bite - my 1KD-FTV only has the one big serpentine belt and no provision for an accessory type belt....

[mgreen18 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mgreen18]

Have decided on the ARB compressor and AMTS bracket to go under the hood.
Combi bracket 120 diesel a few weeks away but amts is going to get one through to us as soon as he can.
Thanks for all the input
Cheers
Matt

[Billy Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Billy]

After a bit of measuring I decided to place the new Red Devil compressor that I purchased behind the left rear trim in the back of the wagon. I had to cut the little compartment out of the trim but I still retained the cover mounting area so after I’m finished will the compressor I can just place the cover over it( when I find the plastic trim cover J) and its all hidden away from prying eyes. This compressor only just fitted with about 5mm clearance on each side of it. I made a folded S/steel rubber backed plate for the compressor to sit on. To keep it simple I have removed the alligator clips and used the existing wires and connected it up to the auxiliary battery via a fuse. This compressor is great as even after pumping four tyres up from 15 to 36 psi it just doesn’t get stinking hot like other compressors that I have used.

[juc33_prado Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close juc33_prado]

After a bit of measuring I decided to place the new Red Devil compressor that I purchased behind the left rear trim in the back of the wagon. I had to cut the little compartment out of the trim but I still retained the cover mounting area so after I’m finished will the compressor I can just place the cover over it( when I find the plastic trim cover J) and its all hidden away from prying eyes. This compressor only just fitted with about 5mm clearance on each side of it. I made a folded S/steel rubber backed plate for the compressor to sit on. To keep it simple I have removed the alligator clips and used the existing wires and connected it up to the auxiliary battery via a fuse. This compressor is great as even after pumping four tyres up from 15 to 36 psi it just doesn’t get stinking hot like other compressors that I have used.

looks neat, i see you have some dust in there

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Great job.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Lucky you didn't buy one of these [IMG][/IMG] Was only luck I saw smoke coming from the cable as I was about to move the compressor around to the other side to pump up the drivers side tyres after being off road today and had to quickly kick the compressor away from the prado so it would rip the clamps off the battery terminals as the cable was melting at a fast rate back towards battery. As I just kicked it away it burnt the cable away from the red clamp . You can just see a single strand of wire left in the left side of the red handle. I have no idea why the fuse didn't blow as it has a blade fuse in it from the factory and I havnt changed a thing on the pump in the way of wiring. Problem is I cant find the receipt and only bought in may this year. Was going to put an Anderson plug on it with obviously new wiring but not sure I trust it ??.......Cheers Steve

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

Steve there was a photo a little while ago (not sure if it was on PP or elsewhere) that had melted the cable around the fuse and the fuse was still intact. I reckon get yourself some good 6mm2 twin core and redo the wiring with a heavy duty fuse and Anderson plug. You can buy the heavy duty blade fuses like ARB run. Of course if you think there is a problem with the motor connect it up with temporary wiring and check current draw. Run new cable all the way to the motor(s).

[OldGreyFart Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close OldGreyFart]

I have a bushranger compressor and don't want to mount it anywhere. I t suits me to be able to move it from place to place so I an pump up stuff.

Keep in the drawers in the 120.

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Hi there MJ I don't think there is any thing wrong with the actual compressor its self to be honest but it was still bloody running while the cable was burning away lol...scared the shit out of me especially with 2 kids in the car. I will look into what you said. Its actually quit quick at pumping the tyres up from 24 to 42psi. Will have to check if I can get the cable back to the motor. The actual wiring that was there felt quit thick. What size fuse do you think I should run ???....Cheers Steve

[Steve M Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Steve M]

Meant to say the actual wiring from the compressor to the fuse is ok except about 1cm of it where it started to burn past the fuse holder. Would it be ok just to cut the original wire just before the fuse, run a new fuse like the ARB one your talking about then just run new wiring from the fuse holder to the Anderson plug or should I run the wire direct from the actual motor to fuse etc ?? .....Cheers Steve