Where'd you hide your compressor/tank (for airhorns)?

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Just got my Grovers and was surprised at the size of the tank (bigger than I expected)... . I can't wait to install them!

Question: Where did you guys hide the compressor and tank? I plan to put a tee off the tank to have a quick-disconnect available for an air hose (to fill tires, rafts, inflatable women - err, opps, I didn't mean to let that out!) Anyway, anyone else done this and find a trick place to hide the quick-disconnect as well? Lookig for some cool ideas...

Thanks!

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'01 2500 SLT+, QC, LWB, 4X4, 3. 54s, AT, SPA guages, Alpha Liner, Stolen Silencer ring, every option but running lights! To come: DD Stage II's PE or DD Boost Module, Exhaust brake, 4" turbo to tail, etc...

'98 DUCATI ST2 "Bombed" 944CC with Ducati Performance Carbon Fiber Exhaust, F. I. M. Chip, K&N and "modified" air box.

 

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Scooby, I watched Briar Hopper install his horns and helped wwcd2 install his. On both those trucks we put the tank on the passenger side behind the cab, on the inside of the frame rail. The compressor has to sit flat, we put that on the passenger side in front of the battery where the stock horns are (we removed the stock horns). As to using that compress for airing things up I wouldn't recommend it. It's a very light duty compressor and within a few minutes of running it get VERY hot (too hot to touch for more than a 1/2 second or so). The first time you fill the tank it will run for about 3-4 minutes (a guess, we didn't use a stopwatch), and that's just that tiny tank. It would take FOREVER to fill a tire with it. JMHO



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR, Chapter Forums Moderator
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, Prime-loc, SW fuel pressure gauge, boost & pyro gauges, muffler eliminator, polished valve cover, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, Mag Hy-tec rear diff cover, Permatech liner, Grizzly SS nerf bars, Stull SS grill & bumper inserts, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's

 

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Scooby,

compressor: forward of speed control servo.

tank: inside left end of front bumper.

quick-disconnect: bottom of front frame cross member.

horns: rear surface of front frame cross member.

I'm happy with the position of all components - they're secure, protected, and OUT OF THE WAY.

The only negative I see is that the crankcase plug on the compressor is difficult to get to. I had to remove and reinstall the windshield washer reservoir to get the compressor in.

 

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There is a brace that extends from the front bumper to the frame. I pulled it and drilled a second hole (already has one hole).

I put the compressor right behind the driver side head light on the horizontal plate.

The air horns were installed on the cross member right behind the air dam. Can't even see them. This also keeps the air lines and wires short.

Good luck!

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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, presureloc. Hadley (LOUD) air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

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<font color=blue>
Scooby, My own research has confirmed that these horns can be mounted under the
hood, right on the frame behind the front bumper. You'll need to
bend a small piece of flat steel (not supplied in kit) into a U-shape and
drill four holes in it, 2 for mounting the bracket to the chassis and the
other two for attaching to the rear 2 holes at the base of the horns.
The base can be mounted to the left and the bellmouths of the horns are
then aimed to the passenger side, mounted horizontally.

The air compressor can then be mounted on the little shelf where the 2
sparrow-fart factory horns used to be. The air tank should then be mounted
on the outside passenger side frame rail, just under the rear door, where
it is high enough up and out of the way to prevent damage. There should be
sufficient airhose supplied in the kit to connect the horns to the compressor
and airtank, but you'll probably need about a dozen or so 1/4-20 bolts to mount everything.

As far as the 12v DC power connection goes, it's probably easy to just use a
scotchlock style connector to tie the solenoid wire to the switched wire of the
factory horn connector. Make sure that the air compressor hot wire is connected
to the fuse panel and tied into a (key-operated) ignition circuit. (This will prevent
the possibility of any future airleaks from loading/discharging the batteries when
the truck is not running).


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2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, Camper Special Group, Trailer Tow Group, Sliding Rear Window, Line-X under the rails & underseal, Grover airhorns, Firestone Airbags, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch, 60 gallon Aerotank.

[This message has been edited by JohnMcIntyre (edited 09-01-2000). ]

 

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On Sue's 2001

Horn: behind bumper on passenger side. Made a bracket that attaches the horn to the bumper side-strut.

Compressor: Attached the OEM horns to the battery tray and installed compressor in their space.

Tank: Bolted to frame below cab. Ran the air line forward through the through frame to the horn.

Solenoid: Mounted directly to the horn with a T fitting on the solenoid input - one leg to the tank, one leg to the compressor.

Details and photos are posted: http://www.ece.vt.edu/~dfritz/technical/air_horns/install.html

Dave



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1994 2500HD 4X4 modified for off-road camping
2001 2500 ETH/DEE QC SB 4X4
Fritz's Dodge Ram Tech Page

 

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Thank you for the replies gentlemen! All very informative posts... I'm looking forward to that first blast!

Steve, Thanks for the comment on the size of the tank... . you have have excellent point, but in a pinch (i. e. a blown tire and a flat spare - I'm sure that's never happened before! #ad
) it'd be nice to have a little air on hand.

 

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Compressor- Over wheel well where old airbox used to be.

Tank- Mounted on wheel well facing up next to the battery

Horns- Mounted under bumper facing the idiots in front of me.

If you want to see the pics email me you'll be impressed.

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95,000Miles!

Yes 'mam it is a rolling office/bedroom/pickup/stinkpot/the best truck ever made!

1998. 4 4x4 Quad Cab 2500. 285/75/16 White w/gray trim. TST#8 plate. Limo tint ALL Windows, Whistler hidden radar built into overhead dash, Combo toolbox/41gal tank, electric start, Car Alarm, Lund Grill Covers, Electronic Idler, scotty's air intake, K&N Prefilter, Hadley Bulley Air Horns Mounted Bumper Level, Banks Pyro and Boost Gauge on the A-Pillar, and more to come.

 

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OK... . I set them up the way you guys said and I don't have anywhere close to enough hose. Where do buy that hose line from? It says airbrake 1/4...

 

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Yep, me too - short by a couple feet. Get 1/4 OD tubing for refrigerator icemakers. It works and doesn't leak. Now whether it's the best choice or not, I don't know. Joe

 

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I just love the term "factory sparrow fart horns. " ROTFLMAO!

 

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I have an older ram <97> and the air compressor wont fit on the frame rearward of either headlight. The airbag collision switches are mounted on both sides right where you guys mounted the compressor. I had to fabricate a shelf from 1/4 aluminum plate and steel shelf brackets to mount the compressor above the switches and between the headlight and battery box. Took me all day just to get the materials, cut the plate and drill it. #ad
I mounted the tank on the outside of the frame under the cab passenger side. I wanted the solonoid at the horns for rigidity and no lag time. I also wanted the horn to install unseen. This required another plate of 3/16 aluminum 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. I mounted the horn to the plate on one side and the plate to the radiator support bracket to the other. The horns sit above the bottom of the plate and the support bracket and the solonoid sits mounted to the horns through the plate so the air connections are easy to service. <It required a large hole in the plate... 7/8ths I think>
The stock horns are mounted under the front bummper to the bumper support bracket and did not require relocation. I just ran the wires from them to the solonoid. All in all, I was happy with the installation but it took a lot more time then I expected. #ad
I did not have enough hose either. #ad

I do like the reactions I get from it... especially from the kids. My wife thinks I'll get shot if I use them! She thinks the road raged will only become more enraged. She has a point but I think they will have to change their knickers before they get enraged.
-Paul R. Haller-

 

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I got 1/4" air brake hose and fittings at my local NAPA auto parts store. I took a sample of the original hose and fittings into the store and asked for the same thing.

The color doesn't match, but the hose was available and reasonably priced.

Loren

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2000 Quad Cab, 4x4, short bed, six-speed.
1995 Standard Cab, 4x4, long bed, automatic. (soon to be sold)

 

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First off - love the horns !! Need your help, guys.
I don't want the compressor energized when the truck is 'off' i. e. connected directly to the battery.
Can anyone tell me the best place to connect the compressor so it runs only in 'on' or 'on and 'accessory'. Please be specific with wire colors and locations because I get lost under the hood #ad
Thanks, Papa Joe #ad