Preporator/mounting?

[WTBurke]

Guys, I'm doing my AirDog install and the bracket that mounts to the bed-channel has an extension on the side that goes towards the frame with a big hole drilled in it. I assume its for the bed mounting bolt in the "u" channel riser that mounts the bed.



Well I can't get the extension of the mounting bracket to fit into the "u" channel riser to meet that bolt hole?

The photos that are shown in the Preporator instructions does not depict that view.



Should I just "hack-saw" off that extension with the big hole?



I hope someone has seen this during their install to provide feed back?



Thank you

William

 

[Jerry1]

I wish I could help you but mine hasn't arrived yet. It was shipped I guess on Tuesday. Keep us posted on the solution as I should be installing mine next week. How do they ship, UPS?

 

[WTBurke]

Jerry

I just compleated the install and yes I had to cut the extended end of the bracket that mounts to the bed channel.

However, I have lots of information regarding the installation and I'm burned out. I'm gonna grab a shower and a beer and I'll post tomorrow morning.



You will need an additional 90 degree elbo with/union. You only receive 1 in the kit and you will need 1 more. I'll continue in the morning.



Good night

William

 

[WTBurke]

Good morning and to continue on.

The Preporator install was ok however, the most trouble was the factory quick-connect (QC) on top of the fuel tank. The proceedure of "pinch-the-tabs" and pull back to disconnect is a pain in the A_

The manor of the connectors angle as assembled from the factory makes manipulation by hand NOT QC !

Once removed you must remove the "pinch-tab" that remains on the barb in order to except the new QC assembly from the AirDog kit. (This needs to be included in the instructions for dummys like me)



The new QC is very nice compaired to the OE junk, if you remove the factory LP you can test the operation of the new QC on the "barb" input on your old factory LP. Push-on you will hear a "click" then push back on the "ring-retainer release" and vola ! it comes off sweet.



I found that removing what you don't need any longer a great help. Besides it was a great feeling ripping out that POS factory system that is truly LAME !

It cleans up the drivers side engine compartment sweet.



The instructions from Preporator suggests to mount the channel bracket first.

Don't do that untill you have prepared your QC at the fuel tank and the "fuel-return" insert that requires cutting the (filler) rubber hose to install.

If you mount the bracket first you have no head room to manipulate these two aspects.



I "loose" assembled the entire mounting with the AirDog pump/filter assembly to facilitate "custom cutting" of the fuel lines. This allows you to route the lines in a much nicer way than what is depicted in the Preporator instruction photos.



I created additional length from the fuel tank to the input of the AirDog in order to allow easy install of a Raycor (sic?) fuel heater later.



Now... the bracket! I will call Charles on Monday to point out the small change that needs to be made. My truck is a 2500 and I suspect that the "viewed" model depicted in the instruction manual maybe a different year or perhaps a 3500. I can only say it does not bolt up as the instructions indicate. Yes the hack-saw method to remove the end that protrudes into the "riser-bracket" that the bed bolts to allows you to use it but... .



This change does not allow the entire bracket to be located "closer" to the inboard frame posistion.



What this does later in the installation is it prevents you from using the straight-on fitting from the fuel output port that feeds the fuel line to the VP-44.

This is why you need the additional 90 degree or perhaps a 45 degree elbo/union to allow your fuel-feed line to clear the edge of the bed-skirt towards the front. This is the natural path that you would want your fuel line to follow.



Pay attention to the fact that these provided fittings from Preporator are SAE with 45 degree seat angles. I have found you can obtain elbo/unions that look and fit togather but, they are JIC and the seat angles are 37 degrees. They could "cut-nurf" your seats on initial "tightening" and later when you loosen them for a service proceedure on "retightening" they could leak. Fittings like these are nice and don't require "grunt" to tighten and prevent leakage. Treat them sweet and they'll be good to you.



My last comment is the instructions tell you to drill a 5/8ths hole in your firewall to pass the "warning light" leads into the cab! Holycow! You don't need to drill that big of a HOLE ! Darn it, there are several places where you can pass these two electrical leads through the firewall safely without butchering your firewall !



It's a nice fuel supply system once installed and BOY !!!! Does it FLOW BIG TIME ! It looks *****en and a Cummins deserves a fine fuel feed system.



So... sorry for the long post... I only hope it helps others who are to embark on this project. I bunged my knuckles first... so you don't have to.



If anyone wants to talk on the phone about this PM me and I'll call you with any information you might need.



Good luck

William

 

[Jerry1]

William,



Thanks for the great post!!! My Air Dog should be here this week and I will be reading your post every step of the way. Thanks again, Jerry1

 

[Roger rodbolt]

William,

I apologize for your trouble with the bracket, we have deleted the end you cut off sometime ago. The large hole was used only for 2nd Gen. CTD's and Charles wanted it to "pulled and shaped" into the bed bracket with the mounting bolt. The last 150 or so AirDogs have deleted that mount and just use the two bolts ala 3rd Gen, PowerStrokes and Duramaxes. The updated manual mentions to remove the tab or blue lock from the tank. I'm trying to get our website updated with pictures, FAQ's, installation manual, etc. I take install questions on my cell phone, usually several on nights/weekends, and pulled a dumb one today when my cell phone holder broke-lost my phone :{ . I'll get a replacement tomorrow. Give us a call if you need anything and yes they do flow :-laf. Larry

 

[WTBurke]

Larry,

Thank you and I did try to call the office on Friday the day after Thanksgiving however, I was off work for the four day weekend and I didn't expect anyone else to be working that Friday either.



I took this weekend to accomplish this install and I'm very pleased with the components provided from Preporator. The AirDog system is of extream quality and I'm a very meticulous individual. After completing the job once I now know I could do an install like this again in 3 hours or less. The only exception would be that darn "pinch-tab" on the factory QC located on top of the fuel tank. I must say again, getting rid of the factory junk and applying the components from Preporator sure feels good. It works like it's supposed to !



BTW... I no longer have a port to look at my fuel pressure at this time. I'll be putting in a tapped fuel block on top of the old bracket where the factory LP was originally attached. It will be "large bore" to not add restriction however, "tapped" for 1/4 or 1/8 inch to provide for fuel pressure reading.

At this time what pressure should I be receiving or expecting at the input of the VP-44?



Thank you

William

 

[Roger rodbolt]

William,

Thank you for the kind words and I agree with you concerning the factory pinch tabs. Releasing the factory tank line fitting can take two minutes or be the hardest part of the install. If I can release the tabs with my fingers I use a bent nose (needle) pliers to release it. We have a gage port that is a swivel fitting with a 1/4" pipe thread and installs between the billet VP44 fitting and the swept 90 degree fitting on the end of the hose. Most shops use these as a temporary gage to test pressure but I've been running them on my and other test trucks for a permanent install. The VP-44 AirDog pressure is spec'd to stock lift pump pressure and we call them 15psi nominal. Most run in the 16-17psi with little pressure drop even at high horsepower. Let me know if I can help, Larry

 

[WTBurke]

Larry,

Just got off the phone with you and you have answered all my questions. I thank you for the professional and knowledgeable information and feed back.

I look forward to receiving the "test port" extension that Preporator is offering to make fuel gage readings a snap and easy install.



Guys... . customer support at Preporator is OUTSTANDING !



Many Thanks Larry and Charles



William