I'm thinking about converting my A/C pump to an underhood, belt driven air compressor (since I don't use the A/C anyway). Anyone do this and how well does it work?
Seasoned Member
I have never done it or seen one in action. I have however seen numerous write-ups and articles about it. Looks interesting and I have considered it. JP magazine had an entire article on it a couple months ago that was pretty in depth. Some people claim for it to be pretty inexpensive, but it more or less looks like its going to be a minimum of a few hundred dollars.
Good luck if you go for it, I am anxious to hear from someone who has actually done it!
Good luck if you go for it, I am anxious to hear from someone who has actually done it!
Junior Member
I've seen it. The guy told me it was a cheap deal. NO air tank, he jusy mounted a quick disconnect and carried a air hose
Junior Member
I appreciate the links. I have read some of the links before and there are some Youtube vids on the installation. There is more to it than mearly hooking up a quick connect. The compressor has to have an oil source (which is normally supplied through the refrigerant that has enough oil content to lube the pump). Then the oil mist has to be separated from the air as it is pumped out.
It sounds like a good mod to consider. Right now I carry one of the better Viair 12V models. It works pretty well, but still a little slow and it is another thing to carry and take up space. I'm trying to simplify and keep the added weight down as much as possible and still have what I need on the trails.
It sounds like a good mod to consider. Right now I carry one of the better Viair 12V models. It works pretty well, but still a little slow and it is another thing to carry and take up space. I'm trying to simplify and keep the added weight down as much as possible and still have what I need on the trails.
CF Veteran
I did mine for fairly cheap but I had a lot of the stuff laying around. Also got lucky on Ebay for some other stuff.
I had an intake filter, hose clamps, 2.5gal antique antifreeze tank, wire, relay, and pressure gauge.
I bought a pressure switch from ebay(18 bucks), rubber air hose at the local hardware(8 bucks), check valve from ebay (8 bucks), air-oil filter and regulator from ebay(15 bucks)and a set of quick connect fittings/air chuck stuff from harbor freight(20 bucks)
Anyways, this allowed me to eliminate the a/c condenser in front of the rad, helps run a bit cooler with increased airflow. Also was able to remove the drier and some tubing under the hood meant for the a/c system. As for oiling I just unscrew the fitting and put a bit of oil down the compressor intake every so often(depending on how frequent i've used the air.
I had an intake filter, hose clamps, 2.5gal antique antifreeze tank, wire, relay, and pressure gauge.
I bought a pressure switch from ebay(18 bucks), rubber air hose at the local hardware(8 bucks), check valve from ebay (8 bucks), air-oil filter and regulator from ebay(15 bucks)and a set of quick connect fittings/air chuck stuff from harbor freight(20 bucks)
Anyways, this allowed me to eliminate the a/c condenser in front of the rad, helps run a bit cooler with increased airflow. Also was able to remove the drier and some tubing under the hood meant for the a/c system. As for oiling I just unscrew the fitting and put a bit of oil down the compressor intake every so often(depending on how frequent i've used the air.
CF Veteran
my brother and father have both done this to there xjs and they just used a air compressor fitting kit from harbor freight $30 and they work very well dad has a 5gal tank set up brother doesnt. takes them about 2mins to pump up a 33x12.5x15.
Caracticus Potts The Mod
many of todays motorhomes and toterhome trucks use air ride suspension, so to free up space under the hood, they use frame mounted fast pumps and 30 gallon charge tanks. This would be the route I would take. I recently worked on a 2008 Chevy C5500 and his air ride /air horn set up was a piggy back air tank/motor combo that was only 24 inches long and 12 inchs in diameter.....went from 0 psi to 130psi in just under a minute.
CF Veteran
CF Veteran
Wooward i know http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/kits.htm has a kit for a wrangler but it will fit the 4.0 so it might work.