Viair comprssor placement? - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

fadec · 03-24-2011, 07:04 PM

Does anyone have experience running the Viair 480C compressor?

I have a Viair 480C compressor and want to mount it on the vertical step area behind the seats (under the body) of my CJ-7.

What I'm wondering is if anyone knows if it can be mounted 90 degrees on its side? I don't know how the lubrication works on this pump and I'm unsure if it will be safe to run it on its side.

VIAIR Corp · 03-28-2011, 09:25 AM

It's ok to mount the compressor Vertical.. of course in a perfect situation we recomend the compressor to be mounted up-right but nothing is ever perfect.

when mounting vertical... make sure the air flow is going down... the compressor will create moisture & you want that to be capture the moisture in the tank to be able to drain. Remote mount you intake away from the raising heat.

fadec · 03-29-2011, 04:16 AM

Thanks for the info...

The only way the pump can be mounted in that location is if the air outlet is going to the side. (Basically put the pump on a table then lay the pump over on its side.) This will still allow water to drain in the direction of the tank. The air inlet will be through a sealed bulkhead fitting into the cab behind the seats.

GoatASS · 03-29-2011, 08:33 AM

I think you might run into a problem with exhaust heat and the weather running it under the jeep. The viair pumps work well if kept clean and used sparingly. exposing the pump to the underbody heat and weather on a trail driven jeep is just asking for problems.

not sure where you live or what you have under your hood but have you given thought to the area under the battery or inside on your wheel well?

fadec · 03-29-2011, 02:53 PM

Under the hood was the first choice, but it will not fit there. As it hit's the hood. Under the battery will not work as there's already electronics and suspension stuff there. I had no choice but to look aft of the engine compartment. Under the body was the most protected spot away from installing inside the cab, which I was avoiding for storage and noise purposes. The bed area has the fuel tank and tool box. I wanted to keep it away from the fuel tank and the tool box has so much in it, that the pump would be beat to death by tools and parts.

I agree the exhaust temp and dust are a huge concern, but I'm running out of places to put it. I also thought about on top of the rear wheel well, but there I would loose one of my current primary storage area's.

I have a modified TJ coil spring, custom tri-link suspension that limits my clearances under the Jeep. Which is why the fuel tank had to be moved up top to behind the roll-bar. Then there is a Chevy 383 L98 TPI (out of a '86 Vette) that takes up every inch of space under the hood and creates even MORE heat than what is found under the body.

Obviously I have a lot more thinking before I commit to a location.

BCGPER · 03-30-2011, 07:47 AM

Don't install it under the hood. I installed mine (on a TJ) just below the master cylinder and had problems with it. The under hood temps are high enough that the compressor will turn into a large heat sink, and will be tripped out on the over heat circuit when you need it.

On this Jeep, a JK, I installed it above my passenger wheel well, and have had no issues with heat.

03-24-2011, 07:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
fadec Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Member # 157204 Location: Amarillo Posts: 18	Viair comprssor placement? Does anyone have experience running the Viair 480C compressor? I have a Viair 480C compressor and want to mount it on the vertical step area behind the seats (under the body) of my CJ-7. What I'm wondering is if anyone knows if it can be mounted 90 degrees on its side? I don't know how the lubrication works on this pump and I'm unsure if it will be safe to run it on its side.

03-28-2011, 09:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
VIAIR Corp Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Member # 133937 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 52	It's ok to mount the compressor Vertical.. of course in a perfect situation we recomend the compressor to be mounted up-right but nothing is ever perfect. when mounting vertical... make sure the air flow is going down... the compressor will create moisture & you want that to be capture the moisture in the tank to be able to drain. Remote mount you intake away from the raising heat. __________________ VIAIR [url]http://www.VIAIRCORP.com[/url]

03-29-2011, 08:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
GoatASS Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Member # 21338 Location: Auburn, CA Posts: 587	I think you might run into a problem with exhaust heat and the weather running it under the jeep. The viair pumps work well if kept clean and used sparingly. exposing the pump to the underbody heat and weather on a trail driven jeep is just asking for problems. not sure where you live or what you have under your hood but have you given thought to the area under the battery or inside on your wheel well? __________________ [url]http://webspace.webring.com/people/dg/geer_hed/test/test_frames.html[/url] [url]http://www.jeeptech.com/wiki/index.php/Main[/url] [url]http://77cj.littlekeylime.com/Links/Links.htm[/url] [url]http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/tech.htm[/url] [url]http://www.jeepaholics.com/tech/bambar[/url] [url]http://www.oregonbushhackers.org/tech/cj_specs.shtml[/url]

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03-29-2011, 04:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
fadec Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Member # 157204 Location: Amarillo Posts: 18	Thanks for the info... The only way the pump can be mounted in that location is if the air outlet is going to the side. (Basically put the pump on a table then lay the pump over on its side.) This will still allow water to drain in the direction of the tank. The air inlet will be through a sealed bulkhead fitting into the cab behind the seats.

03-29-2011, 02:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
fadec Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Member # 157204 Location: Amarillo Posts: 18	Under the hood was the first choice, but it will not fit there. As it hit's the hood. Under the battery will not work as there's already electronics and suspension stuff there. I had no choice but to look aft of the engine compartment. Under the body was the most protected spot away from installing inside the cab, which I was avoiding for storage and noise purposes. The bed area has the fuel tank and tool box. I wanted to keep it away from the fuel tank and the tool box has so much in it, that the pump would be beat to death by tools and parts. I agree the exhaust temp and dust are a huge concern, but I'm running out of places to put it. I also thought about on top of the rear wheel well, but there I would loose one of my current primary storage area's. I have a modified TJ coil spring, custom tri-link suspension that limits my clearances under the Jeep. Which is why the fuel tank had to be moved up top to behind the roll-bar. Then there is a Chevy 383 L98 TPI (out of a '86 Vette) that takes up every inch of space under the hood and creates even MORE heat than what is found under the body. Obviously I have a lot more thinking before I commit to a location.

03-30-2011, 07:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
BCGPER Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3268 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 56	Don't install it under the hood. I installed mine (on a TJ) just below the master cylinder and had problems with it. The under hood temps are high enough that the compressor will turn into a large heat sink, and will be tripped out on the over heat circuit when you need it. On this Jeep, a JK, I installed it above my passenger wheel well, and have had no issues with heat.