The Right Compressor???

contact420 · 11-03-2009, 10:10 PM

I'm builting a lift kit for my truck. I know everyone in the baggin it section wants it slammed, but I'm building a Straight axle lift kit for my '96 4x4 s10. I bought an axle out of a 98 cherokee. I'm working on building radius arms or a 3 link kit for the front. No matter the link setup I use I'm considering putting a set of bags under it. Somepeople are using these york compressors but has anyone used a stock A/C compressor for their air ride???

I have a 95 blazer with the big round compressor and, just for fun, I cut the A/C lines and hooked up an inline oiler, pressure switch off a 110V air compressor and a blow off valve for added piece of mind. The setup worked good. At first I hed to adjust the presure switch but until it was right it kept blowing 135 PSI blow off valve, but after I adjusted it it shuts-off @ 120 PSI.
It only took a few seconds to go from empty to pop @ idle, a FEW seconds. I don't use it that often but I do use it avery now and then maybe 10 minutes at a time.

Is this stock A/C compressor air system reliable enough to use it to power 4 corners and tools if needed??? Also thinking about putting a tow hitch on 2 airbags for a smoother ride while towing, so 6 bags. I'm not looking to make it jump, just a simple air suspension. I want to lift the truck, adjust the ride quality for towing or cruising, set it down when the truck gets shut-off. not too complicated of an air system.

so will a Stock A/C compressor work to power an air suspension??? I really dont want ot buy an electric compressor for a few hundred when I can do this. Would it be reliable???

Bmanxer · 11-03-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by contact420

I'm builting a lift kit for my truck. I know everyone in the baggin it section wants it slammed, but I'm building a Straight axle lift kit for my '96 4x4 s10. I bought an axle out of a 98 cherokee. I'm working on building radius arms or a 3 link kit for the front. No matter the link setup I use I'm considering putting a set of bags under it. Somepeople are using these york compressors but has anyone used a stock A/C compressor for their air ride???

I have a 95 blazer with the big round compressor and, just for fun, I cut the A/C lines and hooked up an inline oiler, pressure switch off a 110V air compressor and a blow off valve for added piece of mind. The setup worked good. At first I hed to adjust the presure switch but until it was right it kept blowing 135 PSI blow off valve, but after I adjusted it it shuts-off @ 120 PSI.
It only took a few seconds to go from empty to pop @ idle, a FEW seconds. I don't use it that often but I do use it avery now and then maybe 10 minutes at a time.

Is this stock A/C compressor air system reliable enough to use it to power 4 corners and tools if needed??? Also thinking about putting a tow hitch on 2 airbags for a smoother ride while towing, so 6 bags. I'm not looking to make it jump, just a simple air suspension. I want to lift the truck, adjust the ride quality for towing or cruising, set it down when the truck gets shut-off. not too complicated of an air system.

so will a Stock A/C compressor work to power an air suspension??? I really dont want ot buy an electric compressor for a few hundred when I can do this. Would it be reliable???

Dude, first off, props for makin your own AC work for you...seriously

Anyways, from what I've seen on here DJDAudio would be the go to guy for this type of information, if you do a search for York, Sanden, EDC you'll be able to culminate some pretty good all around information. I DO remember reading SOMETHING about the stock systems. I know they run similar to sandens but there was SOMETHING about them that I cannot remember, I think you can make any pump work, their value seems to be determined in the amount of output air they can do. I'm sure if you keep this one oiled and kept nicely and inspect it as necessary you can keep it for a while. Also if I remember there is a high temp white lithium mod you can do to keep from running oil but I DONT KNOW THE FACTS so just take it as hearsay. Hope this helped homie

contact420 · 11-03-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bmanxer

If you do a search for York, Sanden, EDC you'll be able to culminate some pretty good all around information.

Ya adapting the A/C compressor was actually easy. I was worried about how much presure the unit would hold up to, but it was nothing to worry about. it held a 140 no problem while tuning the switch.

I hooked up a 12 volt wire to the presure switch then a relay to activate it, used the relay to turn on the A/C clutch. Connected an oiler to the Inlet hose and connected the presure switch to the output manifold I made-up. The manifold has the blow-off valve, presure switch, and presure regulator to a quick connect for the Air hose and tools.

I haven't used it for airbags, dont have a setup, only air tools but it runs an impact and an air drill fairly good, but remember thats @ idle. I'm going to connect a lawn mower throttle cable somehow to raise the RPM's when I need the compressor and I'm not driving. I figure Double RPM, Double CFM output.

While I was searching the net for this compressor setup I found a person who used a sanden compressor in his trail rig, it was a Jeep, but the sanden compressor he used was actually a stock replacement unit for the jeeps. I think Jeep used sanden compressors when they were built. If if im wrong I know they make stock replacement unit similar to what I'm using, Not sure if theres anything else special about the sanden compressors!!!

BIGJOHN · 11-03-2009, 11:59 PM

a buddy of mine and I converted his stock a/c compressor in his 88 mazda b2200 with an inline oiler and it cranked up to 200+ psi with no problem, so I dont see why yours wouldnt work the same...

His worked flawlessly for a year, and forgot to check the oil level and it locked up. just keep it oiled and I imagine you will be fine.

Bmanxer · 11-04-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by contact420

Ya adapting the A/C compressor was actually easy. I was worried about how much presure the unit would hold up to, but it was nothing to worry about. it held a 140 no problem while tuning the switch.

I hooked up a 12 volt wire to the presure switch then a relay to activate it, used the relay to turn on the A/C clutch. Connected an oiler to the Inlet hose and connected the presure switch to the output manifold I made-up. The manifold has the blow-off valve, presure switch, and presure regulator to a quick connect for the Air hose and tools.

I haven't used it for airbags, dont have a setup, only air tools but it runs an impact and an air drill fairly good, but remember thats @ idle. I'm going to connect a lawn mower throttle cable somehow to raise the RPM's when I need the compressor and I'm not driving. I figure Double RPM, Double CFM output.

While I was searching the net for this compressor setup I found a person who used a sanden compressor in his trail rig, it was a Jeep, but the sanden compressor he used was actually a stock replacement unit for the jeeps. I think Jeep used sanden compressors when they were built. If if im wrong I know they make stock replacement unit similar to what I'm using, Not sure if theres anything else special about the sanden compressors!!!

Sanden's are used for their noted longevity and their popularity. They put out a good amount of air and require less maintenance than some other models. I'm sure many others would work with the proper setups, just haven't been found out yet. Why dont you get a tank to store that air dude? You wont have to run your compressor as long and would give it time to cool.

jeffery_843 · 11-04-2009, 12:23 AM

any a/c compressor will pump air but they won't all last for long. yorks and sandens are a/c compressors that came factory on some cars/trucks. the reason yorks and sanden will hold up to being used for air is because they have a crankcase that holds oil to keep them lubricated in addition to a/c refrigerant keeping them lubed. other types rely only on the lubrication in the refrigerant. that is why most others will not last very long for air.
bigjohn, your buddies setup most likely worked because some of the mazdas came with sandens.

contact420 · 11-04-2009, 02:46 PM

I'm thinking of a way to make the compressor into a vacume machine. hook a tank to the inlet and suck the air out and make it have a vacume to bleed brakes or aome other use. don't know what elso. might be nice to have a 1/2 gallon tank to put a vacume to, might bleed brakes in a few minutes. Hook up the hose to the bleed fitting, loosen it and open the tank valve and suck in the brake fluid. easy way to flush out all the old fluit and put in new fluid. I have seen aftermarket tools like that for bleeding brakes. I can't affors to buy that bleeding tool kit but I can try to make it.

It might work???

contact420 · 11-04-2009, 09:43 PM

I have a portable air tank that I connect to the quick connect when I'm using it. I think Its about a 3 gallon tank. The blazer I made the compressor on Doesn't have any air bags or anything to use the air so I havn't built a tank into the fame yet. Plus, I'm not sure where I would mount a tank or two. My Blazer is 4wd so I could only bag the rear unless I wanted to do alot of work to the front. I could do a Straight axle swap like my truck, but I want to keep the IFS on the Blazer. Any suggestions on how to bag the front of my 4x4 blazer without disconnecting the CV shafts? I want my 4x4.

Instead of getting coil over shocks and using them I could get Ballistic air-shocks and run an air line to them with switches and guages to make the ride easy to adjust. You know, instead of an Airbag I could use these air-shocks (below) and connect them to an air controller. Think it would work???

11-03-2009, 10:10 PM	#1
contact420 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	The Right Compressor??? I'm builting a lift kit for my truck. I know everyone in the baggin it section wants it slammed, but I'm building a Straight axle lift kit for my '96 4x4 s10. I bought an axle out of a 98 cherokee. I'm working on building radius arms or a 3 link kit for the front. No matter the link setup I use I'm considering putting a set of bags under it. Somepeople are using these york compressors but has anyone used a stock A/C compressor for their air ride??? I have a 95 blazer with the big round compressor and, just for fun, I cut the A/C lines and hooked up an inline oiler, pressure switch off a 110V air compressor and a blow off valve for added piece of mind. The setup worked good. At first I hed to adjust the presure switch but until it was right it kept blowing 135 PSI blow off valve, but after I adjusted it it shuts-off @ 120 PSI. It only took a few seconds to go from empty to pop @ idle, a FEW seconds. I don't use it that often but I do use it avery now and then maybe 10 minutes at a time. Is this stock A/C compressor air system reliable enough to use it to power 4 corners and tools if needed??? Also thinking about putting a tow hitch on 2 airbags for a smoother ride while towing, so 6 bags. I'm not looking to make it jump, just a simple air suspension. I want to lift the truck, adjust the ride quality for towing or cruising, set it down when the truck gets shut-off. not too complicated of an air system. so will a Stock A/C compressor work to power an air suspension??? I really dont want ot buy an electric compressor for a few hundred when I can do this. Would it be reliable???
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2009, 10:24 PM	#2
Bmanxer Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 552 Location: (VA Beach,VA) (FWB,FL) User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? Quote: Originally Posted by contact420 I'm builting a lift kit for my truck. I know everyone in the baggin it section wants it slammed, but I'm building a Straight axle lift kit for my '96 4x4 s10. I bought an axle out of a 98 cherokee. I'm working on building radius arms or a 3 link kit for the front. No matter the link setup I use I'm considering putting a set of bags under it. Somepeople are using these york compressors but has anyone used a stock A/C compressor for their air ride??? I have a 95 blazer with the big round compressor and, just for fun, I cut the A/C lines and hooked up an inline oiler, pressure switch off a 110V air compressor and a blow off valve for added piece of mind. The setup worked good. At first I hed to adjust the presure switch but until it was right it kept blowing 135 PSI blow off valve, but after I adjusted it it shuts-off @ 120 PSI. It only took a few seconds to go from empty to pop @ idle, a FEW seconds. I don't use it that often but I do use it avery now and then maybe 10 minutes at a time. Is this stock A/C compressor air system reliable enough to use it to power 4 corners and tools if needed??? Also thinking about putting a tow hitch on 2 airbags for a smoother ride while towing, so 6 bags. I'm not looking to make it jump, just a simple air suspension. I want to lift the truck, adjust the ride quality for towing or cruising, set it down when the truck gets shut-off. not too complicated of an air system. so will a Stock A/C compressor work to power an air suspension??? I really dont want ot buy an electric compressor for a few hundred when I can do this. Would it be reliable??? Dude, first off, props for makin your own AC work for you...seriously Anyways, from what I've seen on here DJDAudio would be the go to guy for this type of information, if you do a search for York, Sanden, EDC you'll be able to culminate some pretty good all around information. I DO remember reading SOMETHING about the stock systems. I know they run similar to sandens but there was SOMETHING about them that I cannot remember, I think you can make any pump work, their value seems to be determined in the amount of output air they can do. I'm sure if you keep this one oiled and kept nicely and inspect it as necessary you can keep it for a while. Also if I remember there is a high temp white lithium mod you can do to keep from running oil but I DONT KNOW THE FACTS so just take it as hearsay. Hope this helped homie
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2009, 11:22 PM	#3
contact420 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? Quote: Originally Posted by Bmanxer If you do a search for York, Sanden, EDC you'll be able to culminate some pretty good all around information. Ya adapting the A/C compressor was actually easy. I was worried about how much presure the unit would hold up to, but it was nothing to worry about. it held a 140 no problem while tuning the switch. I hooked up a 12 volt wire to the presure switch then a relay to activate it, used the relay to turn on the A/C clutch. Connected an oiler to the Inlet hose and connected the presure switch to the output manifold I made-up. The manifold has the blow-off valve, presure switch, and presure regulator to a quick connect for the Air hose and tools. I haven't used it for airbags, dont have a setup, only air tools but it runs an impact and an air drill fairly good, but remember thats @ idle. I'm going to connect a lawn mower throttle cable somehow to raise the RPM's when I need the compressor and I'm not driving. I figure Double RPM, Double CFM output. While I was searching the net for this compressor setup I found a person who used a sanden compressor in his trail rig, it was a Jeep, but the sanden compressor he used was actually a stock replacement unit for the jeeps. I think Jeep used sanden compressors when they were built. If if im wrong I know they make stock replacement unit similar to what I'm using, Not sure if theres anything else special about the sanden compressors!!!
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-03-2009, 11:59 PM	#4
BIGJOHN slow&low Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 5 Location: KCMO User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? a buddy of mine and I converted his stock a/c compressor in his 88 mazda b2200 with an inline oiler and it cranked up to 200+ psi with no problem, so I dont see why yours wouldnt work the same... His worked flawlessly for a year, and forgot to check the oil level and it locked up. just keep it oiled and I imagine you will be fine.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 12:13 AM	#5
Bmanxer Registered User Age: 22 Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 552 Location: (VA Beach,VA) (FWB,FL) User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? Quote: Originally Posted by contact420 Ya adapting the A/C compressor was actually easy. I was worried about how much presure the unit would hold up to, but it was nothing to worry about. it held a 140 no problem while tuning the switch. I hooked up a 12 volt wire to the presure switch then a relay to activate it, used the relay to turn on the A/C clutch. Connected an oiler to the Inlet hose and connected the presure switch to the output manifold I made-up. The manifold has the blow-off valve, presure switch, and presure regulator to a quick connect for the Air hose and tools. I haven't used it for airbags, dont have a setup, only air tools but it runs an impact and an air drill fairly good, but remember thats @ idle. I'm going to connect a lawn mower throttle cable somehow to raise the RPM's when I need the compressor and I'm not driving. I figure Double RPM, Double CFM output. While I was searching the net for this compressor setup I found a person who used a sanden compressor in his trail rig, it was a Jeep, but the sanden compressor he used was actually a stock replacement unit for the jeeps. I think Jeep used sanden compressors when they were built. If if im wrong I know they make stock replacement unit similar to what I'm using, Not sure if theres anything else special about the sanden compressors!!! Sanden's are used for their noted longevity and their popularity. They put out a good amount of air and require less maintenance than some other models. I'm sure many others would work with the proper setups, just haven't been found out yet. Why dont you get a tank to store that air dude? You wont have to run your compressor as long and would give it time to cool.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 12:23 AM	#6
jeffery_843 Registered User Age: 24 Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,418 Location: goose creek,sc User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? any a/c compressor will pump air but they won't all last for long. yorks and sandens are a/c compressors that came factory on some cars/trucks. the reason yorks and sanden will hold up to being used for air is because they have a crankcase that holds oil to keep them lubricated in addition to a/c refrigerant keeping them lubed. other types rely only on the lubrication in the refrigerant. that is why most others will not last very long for air. bigjohn, your buddies setup most likely worked because some of the mazdas came with sandens.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 02:46 PM	#7
contact420 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? I'm thinking of a way to make the compressor into a vacume machine. hook a tank to the inlet and suck the air out and make it have a vacume to bleed brakes or aome other use. don't know what elso. might be nice to have a 1/2 gallon tank to put a vacume to, might bleed brakes in a few minutes. Hook up the hose to the bleed fitting, loosen it and open the tank valve and suck in the brake fluid. easy way to flush out all the old fluit and put in new fluid. I have seen aftermarket tools like that for bleeding brakes. I can't affors to buy that bleeding tool kit but I can try to make it. It might work???
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-04-2009, 09:43 PM	#8
contact420 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 54 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: The Right Compressor??? I have a portable air tank that I connect to the quick connect when I'm using it. I think Its about a 3 gallon tank. The blazer I made the compressor on Doesn't have any air bags or anything to use the air so I havn't built a tank into the fame yet. Plus, I'm not sure where I would mount a tank or two. My Blazer is 4wd so I could only bag the rear unless I wanted to do alot of work to the front. I could do a Straight axle swap like my truck, but I want to keep the IFS on the Blazer. Any suggestions on how to bag the front of my 4x4 blazer without disconnecting the CV shafts? I want my 4x4. Instead of getting coil over shocks and using them I could get Ballistic air-shocks and run an air line to them with switches and guages to make the ride easy to adjust. You know, instead of an Airbag I could use these air-shocks (below) and connect them to an air controller. Think it would work???
	[Reply w/Quote]