hi all, been a lil busy lately, ya know how it is.  i think my winter project is going to be to turn my ac pump into an air compressor.  i removed it last year is good working order to get more hp.  but since i plan on getting an air locker this spring.... seems like a good idea.

anyway, i have been reading a bit on it but all the info i find is for trucks or heeps (what a shock).  Q is, has anyone done this with a stock trackick ac?  got info, links or anything?   need all ya got  thanks all!

The information is more or less
universal, they are all the same
basic type of pump, just improvise
for the Track/Kick and take lots of
pics for a future article

Wild

Wild is right.  The process is the same.  I did it but I didn't take any pics, and BOTH my pumps took a poop.
Brian

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=104584    

These pumps need oil in the Crank Case
as well as the cylinders.

Refrigerant has an oil charge that keeps
the pump from seizing up, you want to
include an oil soaked filter and squirt the
compressor from time to time to keep it
alive

An alternative to the A/C compressor style
would be a compressor from a Cadillac or
a Lincoln that has the air ride suspension,
cheeper to get, and there must be thousands
of those land barges rusting in the wrecking yards

Wild

I use a pump from an old 70's style travel trailer that was used to pump up the water tank, they even come with an automatic shut off on them also.

My brother and I did this to my '89 Sidekick, using the stock A/C compressor.  It works quite well.  We used an inline oiler, like what air tools use, to keep the pump happy, then run the compressed air through the condenser to cool it.  After that, the air goes through an oil removing filter, then air line splits into a small tank, a pressure switch (on at 90psi and off at 110psi, I think), a pressure releif valve (125psi),  and lines to a quick connect and an in cab pressure gauge.  

We largely left the A/C plumbing stock, and used all the stock A/C wiring, so the electric fan tuns on when the compressor is running, keeping the compressed air cool.  The pressure switch we used even fits into the stock wiring harness.  

If I remember correctly, with the engine held at about 3000 rpm, the system will take a 30x9.5 tire from 12psi to 24psi in about 15 seconds.

Unfortunately, we didn't take any pictures of the install or final product.

- Craig

What...... No Pictures  


Wild

What...... No Pictures  


Wild

I know, I kicked myself when I realized we hadn't taken any.  

- Craig

Take one now!

Cwkick

humm i should really do this with the AC compressor i got.  i have been putting it off but i bet i could get better traction with about 10PSI in the tires.  Beadlocks here i come :-/

stu

7-8 " rims, bias Swampers
don't need beadlocks, even
at 2-3 PSI  

Wild

I run 5 psi all the time with 10 inch rims and radials. Ive only blown a bead once in 5 years.

Mike

I run 5 psi all the time with 10 inch rims and radials. Ive only blown a bead once in 5 years.

Mike

I blew 3 all at the same time with 12 PSI.  but that was with my chrome plated junk rims.  going to sand blast the rims this winter.

stu

I run 5 psi all the time with 10 inch rims and radials. Ive only blown a bead once in 5 years.

Mike

During the UA of all times, too

Also, the only thing I've heard of happening when running low pressure in bias-ply tires is that they slip on the rim and end up out of weight when aired down :-/