4th Gen Ram ARB air compressor install

[ultraguy]

I am sharing this write up because I searched extensively about installing an air compressor on a 4th generation Ram and did not really find a great place to mount an air compressor on these trucks.

My truck -> 2018 Ram 3500 Cummins Mega Cab

I found suggestions for the following locations:

1. Truck bed
2. Frame rail either under driver or passenger side
3. Storage space behind the rear seats
4. Space between the gas tank and DEF tank on mega cabs

My preferred location was somewhere in the engine compartment, or close to it. I looked and looked and the only place an ARB CKMA12 air compressor would fit was on top of the fuse box. I found one thread somewhere where another person put it in that location. I did not want the vibration on top of the fuse box.

I found another thread where a guy with a 3rd generation Ram Cummins mounted the same compressor behind the driver side headlight. Took my headlight out and there is no room there. But I could see that there was a bunch of space in the driver's side fender, in front of where the horn is mounted to the frame there. I could fit the compressor into the headlight latch access hole in the fender liner and then against the frame rail and there was plenty of room. So I decided if I could get the fender off that I would mount it there. It was also super close to the battery so it made wiring easy.

Here are pics of the install.

Front grill and driver fender and fender liner removed
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Template plate mounted
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Air compressor bracket mounted
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Air compressor mounted to the bracket
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Pressure switch installed and tubing run
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Quick connect mounted. Had to remove the bracket and enlarge the hole and install the tubing when the bracket was not mounted.
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Air hose connected to the quick connect.
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Fender back on and air hose connected.
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Another view of the air hose connected.
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Truck is all back together.
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Overall it was not a difficult job. The hardest part was getting the fender and fender liner off. It was easier to put the fender liner and fender back on.

The air compressor will be controlled by a switch module, which I have not installed yet.

 

[farmallboy]

Perhaps it is Tapatalk. I cannot see the pics but the description sounds great. I like the theory of on board air


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[azcoyote]

Great write up! That winch setup is interesting. I was looking at something like this for my 1500 but your setup looks pretty easy. https://www.vicedesign.ca/integrated-winch-systems/13-18ram1500winch

 

[ultraguy]

Perhaps it is Tapatalk. I cannot see the pics but the description sounds great. I like the theory of on board air


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

It's Tapatalk. The images show fine in a browser on my computer or in a browser on my phone.

 

[ultraguy]

Great write up! That winch setup is interesting. I was looking at something like this for my 1500 but your setup looks pretty easy. https://www.vicedesign.ca/integrated-winch-systems/13-18ram1500winch

Thanks!

The winch tray is made by Westin. Simple and cheap. I have since removed the "bull bar" because I didn't like the look.

 

[Woody1]

What's the purpose of the male air chuck? Shouldn't it be a female if you wanna run an air hose?

 

[Bigpaul13]

Wow nice work. That's a real cool place to put it. I put the same compressor under the driver rear passenger seat. I wired it with quick disconnects so I can take it out easily and hook it to alligator clips to use on another vehicle if necessary. I like your setup though. Any idea how you're going to change the filter? Just pull the liner I guess?

 

[IRSmart]

What's the purpose of the male air chuck? Shouldn't it be a female if you wanna run an air hose?

Yes, technically it works but the setup is backwards.

 

[IRSmart]

I just did this install last week. I chose the same location, but I have the dual compressor. I didn’t drill into the frame, the frame is exactly 4” tall in that section so I just got a pair of 4” U clamps and clamped it to the frame. Clearance is TIGHT. I had to move the horns over, trim the heat shield off and trim one of the filter caps. Some (non-final) install pics. I also just ordered fittings to make a dual-tire air fill up setup, so I can sit back up two tires at a time. I would have done all 4, but with my front and rear tires being different pressures I just went with two at a time.