ARB CKMA 12 compressor in bed box of 2012 Tacoma

Hello all. I have been wanting to write this up for some time now. @Mobtown Offroad finally encouraged me to do it after seeing a photo I posted on another thread. Please forgive some of the photos, it was pretty tight under the truck.

I started with four gauge wire from the batter to an inline fuse.


I then ran that wire down the inner fender to the frame. I needed a fish tape in many places. Right before it started the journey downwards, I had to put in a Y so I could run some 16x4 wires into the cab for the relay on the compressor. The rest of the 16x4 was stuffed into the wire loom to make the trip to the back of the truck.

Not very thrilling, but here is a photo of it running down the frame rail. Again, I needed the fish tape to run it behind the fuel tank.

I then ran the wire into a splitter I got from Amazon. I got a three into one as I wanted to be able to expand on the power at the rear of my truck down the road. As the photo of this thing is pretty bad, here is the link:

$20 Absolute AGD23C 3 Gang Chrome AGU Fuse Distribution Block

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051UH8S6/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now the harder part, getting the compressor in the box so it would clear the locking tabs on the @Mobtown Offroad locking steel doors. I used the backing plate that came in the kit and put some weak tape on the back. I placed the compressor in there and tried to lock the doors. It did take some wiggling around, but I finally got it.

When happy with the placement, out came the drill. I left the backing plate on the inside of the bed box to distribute weight and put some honking washers on the back side...sorry no photos of that.
The next step was to run the power lines through the box to the compressor. Of course, you need to install a gromit! I also mounted the relay on the back of the box and out of the way.


With all of that being done, I slammed everything home. One thing I needed to do for the final fitment was to get an articulating MALE hose barb for the compressor. I know this if opposite if the standard air line, but needed to be done....also keeps people from taking my air line! The barb needed to be able to flex a bit and the female end was too large to allow the door to close all the way.

Final thoughts, I LOVE IT. The right lock needs to be unlocked halfway, then remove the door as the cam will hit the compressor, but no bid deal. If you measure better then I did, you might not have this problem. I like the fact it is not taking the abuse of the engine compartment.

 

Very nice!

 

Looks good! Did you install a quick disconnect somewhere else or are you using it only for lockers or to a tank?

I did the same thing in the driver cubby:


Only difference I did was that I placed the relay and the bulk of the wiring connectors in a project box that I screwed to the side of the cubby and I used a circuit breaker instead of an inline fuze so I could easily cut off the power and reset it in the event i tripped the breaker. I also mounted the compressor to the bottom of the cubby.

Project Box:

$5 Hammond 1591ASBK ABS Project Box Black

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002BBQNM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_-96EAbPX0MXAD
Circuit Breaker:

$44 Blue Sea Systems 7182 285-Series Circuit Breaker, Surface Mount, 40A

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005168AOG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Overall, its a good spot for the compressor. nice job!

 

@Darkgoatracer

 

Have mine in the passenger side cubby and love it!!

 

You should take a look at my Cubby Caps to help keep out some of that dirt

 

And a Cubby Cap is....? Is there a link?

 

Look in my Signature link is in there