2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Mounting PacBrake compressor on a 2nd Gen

[Troubleshooter]

Need some feedback from those of you who have the new PacBrake compressor on your 2nd Gen CTD. Specifically, I would like to know where you mounted the compressor. For those who used the new mounting location at the battery tray, have you had any problems with that setup?



Some background: my original compressor was mounted on the crossbrace under the truck bed, per the then-current factory instructions. It crapped out, so I ordered a replacement unit. PacBrake has gone to a slightly larger (taller, wider, and longer) compressor unit, which will no longer physically fit in the old location.



The new compressor came with different mounting instructions, including a bracket which is best described as a stainless steel plate, to which the compressor attaches on one side, and the other ½ of which slides between the passenger-side battery and the battery tray. There is a hole in the plate where one of the battery tie-down bolts passes through, but it is more for indexing than an actual attachment point. So the new bracket is essentially held in place by the weight of the battery, and I would think places quite a bit of torque on both the bracket and the battery tray.

Have any of you used this new setup, and if so how is it working out for you? It just seems that there would be a lot of torque with that much weight hanging off to the side of the battery tray. It also seems that it would make it more difficult to access the oil filter for filter changes. Not to mention that I would need to re-route all of the air lines and the electrical cables to the new location.



Or is there some other location where I could mount the compressor where it would not interfere with other parts of the truck and remain relatively shielded from the elements? (I think that’s one reason why they went to the under-hood mounting point instead of the crossbrace under the truck bed).



Appreciate any input from those with this new setup. I’ve got the truck up on jackstands now and would like to get it back in operation this weekend.

 

[Cosmo]

I had a shop install my pacbrake as I was on the road moving cross country. It's up at the battery. I can take a picture tomorrow if you'd like.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Thanks. I'm most interested in how that setup is holding up to the stresses and vibration.

 

[Cosmo]

So far so good, I guess. It's been a bit over a year, maybe 20k miles, mostly short trips to work and a fair bit of idling during morning warm up.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Thanks, I guess I'll move the compressor to the new location at the battery. Now to start moving all the air hoses.



Anybody know where I can get some more 1/4" air hose and push-connect fittings? I can reuse some of the current ones, but with re-routing I'm going to come up shot by a few feet. The ones that came with it are marked Eaton Synflex Solstice part #4247-041. Tried eBay and the eaton company website, and no luck on either. There's a Fastenal store about an hour from me, and they had no idea what it was, but thought that they might be able to order some (in a 100' roll).

 

[Bill Stockard]

A heavy duty truck dealer should have the 1/4" plastic air line tubing in inventory and will usually sell it by the foot.

Bill

 

[NGuzik]

Pretty sure I bough 50 feet of plastic hose at either Tractor supply or Ace. .

 

[Troubleshooter]

NGuzik: I was in town on Friday and tried both TSC and Ace Hardware. TSC had nothing; Ace had neither the hose nor the fittings (and the kid/clerk had no idea what I was asking for, even when I showed him the old fitting and a piece of the hose). But they did have some compression sleeves in the plumbing section that I can use with three of the old fittings that I did manage to salvage.



Bill, thanks for the advice. There's an actual old-fashioned hardware store about 45 minutes from me. I'm going to give them a try tomorrow, and if they don't have it then drive to the truck stop down the highway from them.

 

[Troubleshooter]

Got it fixed guys; thanks! Cosmo, the compressor seems to be working well at the new location too!