Unique Air Compressor Mount - DIY 2nd Gen

This is my first thread but wanted to give it a go and share what I came up with incase it helps anyone else. I haven’t seen anyone else use this specific spot for an air compressor in my research, but I may be wrong.



I have a 2015 DCSB 4x4 TRD Sport. I have made some small modifications but mostly have the truck set up for towing and pushing the GVWR regularly. I have air bags in the rear that I use frequently, keep my E rated tires inflated properly based on load condition, and want to play with airing my tires down when running trails and gravel roads in the mountains. I also might have some other air needs/ideas for the future. Hence the need for some sort of air compressor set up.

I got the Smittybilt 5.65 CFM compressor because it’s pretty affordable for the CFM output. I decided to mount the compressor in the front of the truck, on the passenger side, behind the bumper next to the fog light.





I removed the bumper and with some scrap I had lying around, cut a simple aluminum plate to bolt directly to the aluminum “crush bar”(?). I then removed the base plate that came with the compressor and mounted it directly to my new plate. I was able to use the existing hardware that the compressor came with. I did cut a small portion of the black steel directly above the compressor, it’s a fore and aft member that helps support the grill. I am not sure if I actually needed to do that though, it might have fit just fine with my mounting plate. Oh well, it certainly fit in there easy though and takes about 30 seconds with a cutting wheel followed by a little spray paint.




After getting the compressor mounted, I made some small cuts to the black plastic part of the bumper. I removed one of the vertical “fins” and cut away some of the top portion of the black plastic. This will allow me to reach my hand in there and turn the compressor on and off. It’s pretty hidden and you wouldn’t notice the difference from one side or the other unless you really look.









After that, I just cut the wire clamps on the end off and wired directly to the truck battery. For now, the air hose portion just tucks behind the license plate, and I can plug in my coiled air hose which I’ll keep in the cab.

My main reasons for trying this location:

-I Wanted to keep the weight to the passenger side(this little air compressor weighs more than you think, and every little bit counts with these trucks), avoid making the already heavy drivers side even worse. (The taco lean)

-I also wanted to keep the weight out of the rear of the truck, where most of the weight is already, and didn’t want to give up my handy little storage bins(also that simple aftermarket bed compressor mount is expensive!)

-I definitely didn’t want it in the cab, again giving up storage space, and when my kid might be sleeping for nap, obviously the noise is much better outside.

-I didn’t want to put it under the hood, mostly because it would take some serious moving things around to make it fit, but also because I want that space for future things, like a dual battery set up, electrical bus, and some other stuff etc. I also figure it’s also good for the compressor to not be “pre-heated” by the engine, might make it last longer or be less prone to overheating itself by not being in the engine compartment.

-I also didn’t want to spend a bunch of money or have some crazy modifications(this whole job took me about 2 hours if don’t count the hardware store run)


Overall, I’m stoked with how it turned out, but realize I may find something not good about it and have to change. Only thing I see right now as a possible downside is if I get a off-road bumper or something it might not work. But this truck is a daily driver and that’s low on the priority list for awhile.

 

nice job!

 

Cool setup but are those smittybilt compressors sealed/waterproof enough to be mounted in such an exposed location? That thing is gonna be soggy for 8 months a year mounted there and living in Bellingham - like your username haha.

looked at the smittybilt specs but no mention of waterproofness.

 

Yeah I’m not sure, I guess I’ll find out. I couldn’t really find any specifics either. Definitely something I was wondering about initially, I don’t think it will get wet with the truck just sitting there, and while driving it’s mostly hidden, but obviously it’s gonna get pretty wet in a down pour on the highway. Trial by fire sometimes!

 

nice... might try that! Well done.

 

Definitely a different spot. I have a hidden light bar there so that wouldn’t work for me. Id also be concerned about the weather taking its toll on it. I wouldn’t do any water crossings. Nice job though I totally understand about real-estate under the hood I mounted mine under the hood and had to make a custom bracket for it

 

How did you wire it up exactly? Might be trying this for sure.

 

I just hard wired it straight to the battery and use the switch on the compressor to turn it on and off. It’s still working great too after a winter of heavy rain, so I’m glad about that, it’s at least made it this far. I also got the mor-flate tire inflation kit which is awesome if you wanna air up and down frequently.

 

Curious to see how the compressor holds up to the weather.

 

Very nice, OP!