Pros and Cons of Mounting Locations for ARB Dual Air Compressor

After doing a search on here (with mostly 5+ year old 2nd Gen info) and watching an embarrassing amount of YouTube videos, I’m in a circular thought process of mounting this compressor under the hood like most do, or having it in the back of the bed in one of the cubbies. I have a 1 gallon tank as well, which i need to contend with and hope to have a pressurized water tank at some point as well.

Has anyone mounted theirs in one of those locations and wishes they did the other? So far these are my takeaways for both locations:

Under Hood (passenger side):

-Pros: easiest wiring, out of the way of gear/cargo

-Cons: hotter air from engine bay, super cramped (especially if you get a mount that supports the 1 gallon tank), may need to buy a manifold to make it fit, running a lot of hose to add a water tank


Bed Mounted:

-Pros: easy access, lots of space to mount 1 gallon tank nearby on chassis, pressurized water tank will be local

-Cons: additional wiring harness to run the length of the truck, when the bed is filled with gear it’s blocked, a more difficult install


I know there are options to mount inside but for multiple reasons that isn’t the route I want to go. Let me know if you have any input to help me pull the trigger!

 

I'd stick with the engine bay, personally. The dual ARB draws a surprising amount of power so extending the wiring will require some thicker wiring, which isn't too cheap. Personally, I'd opt for engine mounting the compressor with an air chuck up there and then just running an air hose to the rear into the 1 gallon tank. Running a single air hose to the back is easy and inexpensive.

 

Yeah that’s a good point. Either option has me running something the length of the truck— might as well make it the cheaper option with less points of failure.

 

Yeah exactly. Besides, running something down the frame rail to the back isn't too bad, especially when it's something simple like a single air line vs a wiring harness.

 

I dislike the engine bay, as the compressor is now already starting at 120+ degrees on a 70 degree day instead of just ambient temp. Im moving mine to the bed

 

Definitely the biggest con of the engine bay IMO

 

Why does that actually matter? Genuinely curious if there’s a reason why it’s bad for the compressor or something.

 

Hot air is just way less dense. Not to mention that high heat on most plastics and electronics is not ideal. Obviously it works, 3/4 guys mount them there

 

Thermal shutoff happens in the engine bay with 37s+ when going from ~8-10psi to street pressure when its 70 degrees out/hot ass engine bay. Im sure some guys in Cali/the hotter states have it happen with 35s aired down low on the hot 100 degree days/150+ degree engine bays. When I was in cali and it was 110 out, I didnt even bother using my compressor and just used the gas stations

 

Did 33s from 12psi up to street pressure (38psi) on all 4 at the same time with the Morrflate on a 98F day with no thermal shutoff. YMMV

I have mine in the engine bay on a SLEE mount.

 

Ahhh, I didn’t realize it has a thermal cut off. Sounds like you need a powertank.

 

There is another option under the hood, You can put it right behind the grill where temps are much much lower.

 

Pick your poison. Under the hood is hotter but mounting in the bedside is dirtier. Both dirt and heat affect compressor life. I have mine mounted in the engine bay, always liked the bedside mounting though but seems the compressor will get twice as dirty, twice as fast. I also have trimmed fenders all around w/ no fender liners in the rear so it would be even worse.

It's 100F+ regularly here in mid summer, I've never had thermal shut off on 35's going from 8-12psi to 35psi. *knock on wood*

 

Was just talking to my buddy about getting one last night

I've seen a couple of them mounted here, atleast on the third gens. Pretty slick area if you dont have a winch or tranny/powersteering coolers in the way!

 

No love for under the driver/passenger seat with the Desert Do It set up?

Clean air under the seat vs under the hood. A/C temps etc.

 

Not sure about winch, but I know the mount clears OEM coolers (trans is on drivers side, power steering is at the bottom)

 

Mine has been under the hood for almost a year, no issues.

 

Not to get this thread too off track, but it’s 100% worth it, especially when paired with monster valves. I can air up/down in about 25 seconds per corner and that’s with a 25 psi jump in a 35” tire.

 

This is the aforementioned mount for behind the grille:

https://runnin4tacos.com/products/behind-the-grille-air-compressor-mount

 

Mine is under the hood with a 1 gallon tank. The engine bay really doesn't get as hot as you might think. You can touch all the surrounding components around engine bay and they are at most warm to touch, but definitely not hot. And the compressor will get way hotter than anything else. You can also open up the hood and increase air flow. It's also mounted higher under the hood vs in the bed, and for my setup it's more convenient under hood than in a bedside cubby, and you don't have to run large gauge electrical wires.