Little holiday project....

I have been wanting to add airbags to the Ford tow rig for some time, but I wanted onboard air first.  There are options for mounting a York on the 7.3, but they are all expensive and complicated.  Sometime, I may opt for the relocation of the single alternator to the dual-alternator location and build a mount for a York where the single alternator was, but for now, I just went with a small electric compressor.  I chose the MV50, which I got for $60 NIB at Dixie Run.  I built a bracket that mounts the compressor inside the pickup bed fenderwell, forward of the right rear wheelwell.

 

The compressor has no pressure switch built in, so I bought a cheapo from Grainger thats set for on at 80 and off at 100 psi. 

 

The on/off pressure switch is integrated onto the compressor with a small fabbed-up bracket.

 

I bought an air tank from Tractor Supply for something like $19, cut the handles and stands off it, and its ratchet-strapped to the bracket.  The lines in the  photo will be more permanently tucked up out of the way of passing snags.

 

 

It works, but there are some problems.  First the check-valve/bleeder from Granger doesnt work with this low-volume pump.  It gets to around 80 PSI and I guess there is not enough volume flowing and the bleeder opens.  That will have to be replaced with a simple no-frills check valve.  Also, I still have to run the remaining lines for the airbag controls and the pressure guage in the drivers compartment.  Other than this, it seems to work well, albeit slow.

Nice setup!  Are you eventually going to use metal straps for the tank or just stick withe the ratchet straps?