Kea Conqueror - Mounting An Air Compressor In The Engine Bay

Kea Conqueror - Mounting An Air Compressor In The Engine Bay

My ex rental 2009 Kea Conqueror is based on a 2008 Toyota VDJ78 Troop Carrier with a 4.5 litre V8 diesel.

After being caught out twice having to lower tyre air pressure, and not having a compressor, I vowed to carry one, but carry space is very limited.

I wanted to fit the smallest air compressor which had a curly cord air hose into my engine bay to have it always available, yet not taking up valuable space in my camper storage.
I chose an SCA Hurricane, luckily on special.
Yes, it is “throwaway” quality, (almost) at the bottom of the range, and hasn’t got a great airflow, but it fits in and works well, and even the curly cord reaches the spare.
Here’s how I did mine.

Firstly, I removed the plastic end cap and replaced the switch with a Jaycar #SK0984 (Switch Rocker SPST) $3.90, as the original switch felt dodgy (technical term). The replacement is a direct push fit, but now with soldered connections, and a firmer feel.
Next I fitted a solder type “tagstrip” under an existing rear screw, and using new “figure eight” red+black 15 A (2.5 sq mm copper) battery cable, cut to “just reaches the starter battery” length, and soldering all rear connections.

Then I reused the original battery bulldog clips, but soldered the connections.
I checked the torque of all screws on the compressor, including the thermal switch, then sprayed all the rear end, and connections, and the battery clips, with INOX, and reattached the end cap.

I removed the original “tray” type pump base and made up a new baseplate with angled (approx 120 deg) end for attachment to the engine bay side, and with room space to add two supports made from 25x3 mm flat steel, bent to suit the mounts.

My new base is made from scrap 4mm aluminium sheet, 110mm x 280mm. One 100mm approx length support attaches to an existing power steering fluid container bolt point, and the other to an engine bay cable hold-down attachment point, with that cable now held to the support leg by a cable tie.

On the baseplate angled end, one bolt reuses the threaded (M8) attachment point originally used by the engine bay 12 V power connection box, and the other bolt uses an existing unused threaded (M8) attachment point.
I used M6 steel bolts and nylock nuts for compressor to base attachment, with no rubber mounts at all.

I had to shift the engine bay “12 V Power Connection Box” sideways and support on a new right angle steel support (similar in concept to the original), attached by two M5x20 screws and nylock nuts (washers of course) to my new baseplate. My new support is made from scrap 2mm zinc-anneal sheet steel.

After installation, I sprayed everything, including battery clips and air connectors with INOX, and originally stowed the hose and battery clips in a zip plastic bag, in an empty space just in front of the air cleaner. I now keep the curly cord hose in the internal rear locker.

Works like a treat, and solid as a rock.

Hopefully might help others, or be of interest.

Cheerio, mike

Attachment 262658Attachment 262657

I have upgraded this to an SCA Monsoon compressor with 70 litres/minute.
Tried to fit the next size up ie a generic 150 litre/minute, but it is too big.

Removed the new mount plate.
Removed the handle and output air tube.
Checked brushes and sprayed internals with Lanolin.
Reasonable build quality internally.
Resoldered switch due poor soldering
Switch rated at 16A, so left in circuit.
Replaced dubious inline ATC fuse unit with better Narva.
Unit draws a measured 15 amps on idle, with airline open.
Used 35 amp fuse.

The air tube was 12mmx1mm taper into the cylinder head.
Replaced with a 1/4 BSP to Nitto male fitting with thread lock, after drilling out the cylinder head with 11.5mm drill, and tapping 75% into hole.
Caution here as my Monsoon "Nitto" female coupling was quite tight on the genuine Nitto fitting, and I had to make up a special Monsoon male to 1/4 BSPT male fitting to allow me to use the Monsoon air line etc.
Test yours first to decide what to do.
You need some machine shop experience here.
All this to allow the hood to close, but you may be able to fit your compressor lower down into the engine bay.
I wanted to use my original mounting plate.

Works well.
Info maybe of use to other VDJ series 70 drivers, and happy Kea Conqueror owners.

Attachment 396449Attachment 396448

I have had terrible luck with Chinese air compressors. Bought an arb one and love it. Quiet and doesn't get anywhere near as hot. Yes it is comparatively quite expensive but it will last a long time. Driving a long way on low tyres is not great. I mounted mine under the passenger seat.

Hi,
yeah quality is definitely variable.
That's why I pulled my brand new unit down and checked it, and bench run the thing.
Ping goes the warranty, but warranty means zilch outback.

Just out of curiosity, where is the ARB unit made?

For interest, 4WD Action Magazine ran a test on 70-150 L/M compressors a while back.

Their pick was ..... wait for it .... SCA "Ultimate".

Not sure. It probably was made in China too but it's definitely way above normal usual generic brand Chinese stuff.

I found that the compressors weren't much chop for re inflating tubeless tyres, so I fitted a small truck air tank, outside under the passenger seat with air pressure switch. Easily blows up air beds too.