Viair On Board Air Install

Compressor: Viair 400H.



I chose this compressor for a few reasons. The first reason is that I ran the same model on my previous vehicle. I found it would air up my 35inch tires from 12-15psi to 30psi in about 2.5 minutes. This is pretty fast for a 12v compressor. I have filled 10 tires with out hitting the duty cycle, and on my previous vehicle it was mounted under the hood (Hot) I plan on running the 255/85/16. This compressor should make short work of a skinny 33inch tire.

Pros: It is designed to basically be plug and play. The "H" is for hard mount. It has a switch built into the compressor so there is no wiring a switch to the truck. You also do not need an air tank, it is designed to directly fill tires.

Cons with this setup, won't run air tools. But you could add a tank to the setup.



I chose to mount the compressor in the drivers side bed storage compartment.

Step 1, remove the box from the truck bed using the appropriate size torx bit. Remove the 6 screws and the box slides right out.

Step 2: The compressor has an air filter. You can either mount the filter directly to the compressor or it comes with a hose to mount in a remote location to keep it in a clean area. Being that I am mounting the compressor in the bed there really is not a good place to mount it remotely so I mounted it directly to the compressor.

I removed this bracket it as it is not necessary when mounting it to the compressor:



Put the screws back in:



Leave the filter off for now as it will get in the way later.

Step 3.

Take your storage box and drill four holes to mount the compressor to the box. I chose to mount the compressor with the piston at the front because that area of the box seemed to be much cleaner than the rear of the box. I am hopeful this means less gunk on my compressor in the future. I flipped the box upside down and placed the compressor on the box to mark the holes.

Keep in mind: You need room to remove and install the air filter. You also need room to get your fingers to the other side of the compressor to flip the switch on and off.



Mark and then drill your four holes.



Step 4.

Drill a large hole for the piston of the compressor. It obviously is to tall to fit. I used a large hole saw. You need room for the piston head and the air hose to fit in.



Obviously don't be like me and cut into your slot for the latch on the cover. If you do, don't worry it still works fine.

Note: The storage box is made of a composite fiber material. You may want to wear gloves as the fibers will make your hands itchy and or cause irritation.

Step 5.

Remove front bracket off the compressor. (The one under the piston cylinder) Removing the bracket gave me just enough room to get the compressor in the box.



Step 6.

Get the compressor in the box. What finally worked for me is to first run the air line through the large hole I cut, I then was able to persuade it in.



Step 7.

Re-attach front mounting bracket. I found it was easiest to use a socket type allen wrench that can be used on a ratchet due to the tight clearance. Get the screws tight so they do not vibrate lose when using the compressor.

Step 8.

Use the hardware that comes with the compressor and mount it to the box. Get all of the screws in first before tightening the nuts. Make sure to use the lock washer on the nut side.



Step 9.

Route the Air Hose, the hose seems to naturally bend one way, this worked the best for me.





Step 10.

Drill a small hole in the box to run the wires, you will have to cut off the fuse holder, don't worry its not going to reach your battery any way, and you want the fuse close to the battery anyways. Remember to leave enough wire to attach it later. I drilled my hole right behind the two rear mounting holes so the wires would run out the bottom.



Step 11.

Install airfilter

You should have something that looks like this





That is as far as I got tonight. To Be Continued.

 

Simple yet effective Ill keep this in mind since I never use that cubby anyway

 

Hmm, interesting. Considering the same thing. Great write up!

 

did you finish it?

 

I did, basically to finish you take the compressor out, set the cubby back in the bed with out the screws so you have some play. You can then finagle the pump in place, screw in the cubby. Remember the front mount has to come off to get it in there.

Have some one hold the top of the mounting screws with their finger while you secure the nuts.

Source some wire, I would say 8ga min. Wire it to the battery. This compressor has a built in switch so that keeps things simple and your all set!

 

Well done! I really like the simplicity of it. Thanks for writing it up and sharing.

 

Thanks for the write up! Good idea

 

nicely done

 

Damn good work, Devil! I run a portable unit, the MasterFlow Tsunami MF-1050.

 

I really like this. Nice and clean.

 

any more pics?