Viair Compressor Install In LH Fenderwell

[mwilson]

This is the kit I purchased...

Well, Ozy did it so I must try it...

Here is Ozy’s install...

 

[mwilson]

I made one attempt Saturday evening but lacked about a 1/2” of having the compressor cyl head clear the fender. I’m off for the next few days so I have time to get this right and get it done.

I also plan to mount the pressure switch under the hood instead of to the tank. That will keep the wiring length to a minimum. Will fabricate an air manifold to make it work.

 

[TFucili]

Sounds like a plan, Mike. I sorta wish I had gone this route now. Not necessarily underhood mount, but the tank and onboard air. Ended up with a portable Viair kit anyway.

Are you gonna install gladhands at the rear, Mike???

 

[AEdelheit]

Interesting spot, never would have thought to put it there. I put mine under the intake horn then mounted the tank and manifolds to a plate under the can and bolted it to the bottom of the cab with nutserts.

 

[mwilson]

Second attempt will work. Very hard to get pictures but am attempting to do so..

 

[mwilson]

The bracket had to be trimmed to clear the vertical brace shown in second and third picture above. This is just like building a ship in a bottle.....

Those lines are square BTW, don’t know why the camera lens did that...

 

[mwilson]

Using a pair of scrap 90° Freightliner brackets with a short 3/8” stud made to each I got it figured out...
Front bracket and mounting plate have to be installed, then let mounting plate swing down until it stops against the fender opening lip.
Slide compressor onto plate, small end first. Send air discharge line and wiring across the plate while sliding compressor into place. Let mounting screws drop through the plate to hold it.

 

[mwilson]

Bolted in, just about a fat pinkie worth of clearance between cylinder head and fender.

 

[mwilson]

Now off to town to try and find something to custom craft an air manifold.

 

[CBari]

Does that bracket come with the kit or did you make it or re-purpose it from something else.

 

[DavidC]

Does that bracket come with the kit or did you make it or re-purpose it from something else.

No brackets with the kit, fab your own.

Dave

 

[mwilson]

I ordered the bracket when I ordered the compressor kit. It would really save some busted knuckles and time IF you were to remove the fender. I almost did....






https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-95900-...op?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref=yo_pop_d_pd_title

 

[mwilson]

I decided to mount the pressure switch / relay thingie to the engine. Will keep the wire run very short. I hate the thoughts of mounting to the tank under the truck and then stringing two 10 gauge wires down and back.

Found a strap from a water kit for a refrigerator, that should work perfectly once I drill the holes out. Will mount to an intake bolt. Tee underneath for air in and air out. Couldn’t find enough stuff to build a manifold. Could order something from Bendix through work but want to get this done....so a couple pounds of brass it shall be....

 

[mwilson]

Pressure switch mounted to intake. Appears to be sealed and weatherproof, time will tell.

 

[mwilson]

The Freightliner fan control air switch I bought, this will allow air from the tank to fill the air bags. Previously the command to inflate turned the compressor for the bags on and then shut it off when pressure was obtained. On demand set up.
Where I now will have constant air I needed something to control air going to the air bag control box. Should work great.

 

[Wayne M.]

I’m glad you didn’t have to take the fender off, mike.
So the solenoid valve will be key on, to get air from the tank? Or as a control to the seats?

 

[Ozymandias]

Looks good, time will tell if the pressure switch can handle the vibrations.
Mine is mounted also in the fender well between battery tray and fuse box.

I sadly have no pic from this to show.

 

[mwilson]

I’m glad you didn’t have to take the fender off, mike.
So the solenoid valve will be key on, to get air from the tank? Or as a control to the seats?

The air bag Wireless kit has a control module. When you ask for more pressure the control box commands the compressor to start and run. As soon as the bags reach the new setpoint the compressor shuts off. I am eliminating that small compressor and will Supply air from the New reservoir. I think I need to add that FTL valve and hook it to the wiring that used to turn the compressor on to allow air into the control module when requested.

 

[mwilson]

Looks good, time will tell if the pressure switch can handle the vibrations.
Mine is mounted also in the fender well between battery tray and fuse box.

I sadly have no pic from this to show.

I have wondered if the pressure switch will survive, but the Pacbrake compressors mount to the engine block as I recall. I know I’ve seen pictures of sombody’s Compressor and pressure switch bolted to the engine on a bracket..

 

[mwilson]

I’m glad you didn’t have to take the fender off, mike.
So the solenoid valve will be key on, to get air from the tank? Or as a control to the seats?

Also, the control box may be able to handle tank pressure anyways but will install the FTL valve if needed. I will test it with tank air first, if the bags inflate on their own I will have to install the FTL valve.