Idea for the Jeep

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
05/01/2014 at 14:18 • Filed to: Jeep, Engineering things

So my ultimate goal is to build a sustainable DD with capability to take long-weekend overland trips.

One of the things I want / need is a compressor. It will be very handy to re-air tires or for other things should I need to. The problem is, where to put it. I could hard mount in the 'trunk', but then I loose access to storage. I have seen roll cage mounts, but I like to drive topless when I dd, which leaves it rather exposed to people...

Another problem is power. Jeeps make no power... A supercharger will be solving this, and it will be fed by a snorkel, but this still leaves exhaust. Currently, the muffler is mounted under the trunk/bed area.

(aftermarket muffler but you get the point).

There also happens to be plenty of room under the cabin for a muffler.

(like this)

So my idea is to mid mount a muffler, and dump it out the side, freeing up the rear area where the factory muffler is. Then , instead of a muffler, mount a small compressor. Hidden, out of view, and always accessible.

Good idea or am I cray cray?

DISCUSSION (31)

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:20

I'd say good idea. Unless it messes with the reliability, or something along those lines.

CalzoneGolem > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:21

That compressor will take a beating under there.

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:22

I've seen that before and its a great place for it, provided you buy a good compressor, i.e. ARB and you only use it stationary. I've like to hard mount a compressor eventually, but I just bought a superflow MV50 and plan on using it until it craps out, then getting something better like a TJM or ARB. Regarding the power issue, do you have the 4.0, the van engine or the pentastar? Cause if you've got the pentastar you don't get to complain about lack of power. Also, be careful with Forced induction, its great for the street but it makes overland travel more sketchy since it creates more heat problems and overall reliability issues.

yamahog > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:23

I'm skeptical of putting anything under your Jeep that don't you want mud and rocks all over, but I don't know what kinds of trails you'll be taking.

CAR_IS_MI > jkm7680
05/01/2014 at 14:24

Reliability of what? The Jeep? Its a Chrysler product, aka, buy two... The compressor, well I would look for a good one that I could either invert the pump or make sure its sealed for oiling. I would have to figure out a way to keep water out of it as well, but that shouldn't be all too hard.

CAR_IS_MI > CalzoneGolem
05/01/2014 at 14:25

Yea, I would probably build a dust shield / crush guard around it.

CAR_IS_MI > HammerheadFistpunch
05/01/2014 at 14:26

Yea I would definitely buy something worth while, and it would get wired into a switch that would only get turned on while stationary.

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:27

Sometimes SC units cause issues later on down the line. Otherwise, everything sound well played.

We need to see your bikes again!

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:28

The other option is an always on setup with an accumulator tank, but I don't think that's what you had in mind. No room in the engine bay? That's where 80's owners put them.

CAR_IS_MI > yamahog
05/01/2014 at 14:28

I would build a dust shield around it as well to help keep the mud and rocks out. I live in the NV desert so a lot of it is just dusty trails, but I do plan on taking trips through UT, AZ and SoCal, so possibly some mud / water, but not much.

CAR_IS_MI > jkm7680
05/01/2014 at 14:30

Ahh, its a Vortech V3 running 5.5 - 6psi at max rpm, most of it will be used to bump up torque numbers at lower end for climbing and what not. probably wouldn't see much more than 3psi on a normal day. unless I find some Civic I want to destroy...

CalzoneGolem > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:31

Is under the passenger seat not an option?

CAR_IS_MI > HammerheadFistpunch
05/01/2014 at 14:31

Yea that bay is TIGHT! Nevermind adding a second battery to make sure I have accessory power and a centrifugal supercharger.

PheeNoIVI > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:33

What kind of power does a jeep with a supercharger make? My girlfriend wants one. Might do this when she does lol

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:34

If I could say something...it would be this

Make sure, before you go nuts (because its tempting, I know) that you are getting the important stuff for your goals first, and keeping the build as simple as it needs to be.

jsmizira > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:34

some things to think of:

1. compressor intake underwater/gets muddy and clogged under a car. The result is a damaged compressor.

2. damage to a compressor by continuous pelting and being smashed buy insufficent protection is likely when mounted under the rig without skid plates to protect it.

some things you can do to avoid this:

1.mount the system under the hood like is shown here http://www.quadratec.com/products/92043… This can also be done diy style for cheaper.

2. build a sturdy skid plate thats easily removable to cover it and build a snorkel air intake for it.

CAR_IS_MI > CalzoneGolem
05/01/2014 at 14:34

In car or under car? Either way no. The frame and floor panel jump up about 8 inches after the rear seat, There is maybe 4 - 5 inches of clearance from the floor board to the bottom of the frame under the passenger seat, that extra 8" really helps.

CalzoneGolem > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:35

...that extra 8" really helps.

Don't I know it!

But seriously, how beefy of an air compressor do you need?

CAR_IS_MI > PheeNoIVI
05/01/2014 at 14:39

Its very specific to each Jeep. Everything from the transmission (manual or auto) to the gearing to the tire size will effect final output.

Right now my 3.6L Pentastar, 6 speed manual, 3.73 gears on 35" tires puts 220 hp to the ground in 2wd. With the supercharger I am expecting to put 330 to 350 down after a custom tune on 93 octane.

A full stock auto 3.6 will put between 170 and 200 to the rear wheels mostly dependent on gears. adding a 5psi SC on should be about 100 more HP.

PheeNoIVI > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:40

Awesome thanks for the info! Good luck on the build!

CAR_IS_MI > HammerheadFistpunch
05/01/2014 at 14:42

I am all for simplicity. I am also for convenience on certain things. Not having a compressor I have to pack and unpack or leave open for people to get their greasy hands on is a big thing for me .

CAR_IS_MI > jsmizira
05/01/2014 at 14:43

I would build a dirt / dust cover for it. It would also not be run under water / after driving through water to avoid getting water in the system.

HammerheadFistpunch > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:44

I agree, i want built in. Just some general advice for the build.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:44

Kinja'd!!!

uh oh..gota clean the blues!

CAR_IS_MI > CalzoneGolem
05/01/2014 at 14:44

Nothing too crazy just enough to inflate a tire or an air mattress. But I also dont want to leave it hanging mid car to worry about break over angles or dragging on something.

CalzoneGolem > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:45

Personally I think the best place is inside the cabin.

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 14:46

Sounds good! Make sure to blow away unsuspecting folks with it.

CAR_IS_MI > CalzoneGolem
05/01/2014 at 14:49

The cabin is already crowded. It wouldn't fit under the front seats, and while it may under the rear, I would then loose the ability to fold the seats down when I need / want to. While the cargo area in the 4dr JK is much larger than the 2dr jeeps, it still isn't much (pretty sure my roommates fusion has more cargo room) and that space will be packed with supplies from gear to grills and sleeping equipment, etc, etc.

If I were going to keep the roof on forever and always then I would mount it to the roll bar. but seeing as how it only rains 11 days out of the year here I would be foolish to keep my roof on.

jsmizira > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 15:04

Thats good. Remember though, compressors are generally light and small. If however you were to mount your big bulky air tank back there and remote mount the compressor elsewhere you would save off having to build that dirt/dust/mud cover. If that is the case you can fill the tank with compressed air at home/gas stations/ buddies compressor and put off buying the compressor initially. When you start doing multi leg overland trips (where there are several road/dirt/road/dirt/road transitions) then you can pony up and get the compressor side.

FJ80WaitinForaLSV8 > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 15:31

I have a compressor and tank in my 80. The compressor i mounted on top of the passenger shock tower in the engine bay. The rubber shock mount does a great job canceling out the vibration. The 5 gallon tank is mounted out behind the rear axle where the spare use to be.

However, in your situation I would recommend waiting for your supercharger install and then at the same time convert an old York a/c compressor to have a proper engine run compressor. The electric compressors out there are extremely underwhelming unless you b uy something really pricey .

I wouldn't mount a compressor under your trunk as waterproofing it will be an added challenge.

Deven > CAR_IS_MI
05/01/2014 at 16:35

I've been toying with the idea of purchasing a used pre 90s jeep or Tacoma for a trail rig and using my current truck as my DD and tow vehicle. Let me know how this ends up I would love to see how it goes.