Mounting ARB Air Compressor

[MCJA]

2-dr or 4-dr, looks like the Innovative mount is way further back than the ARB mount.

Instructions on Innovation mount just say to remove the 2 rear bolts that secure the passenger seat, lift the seat slightly and slide the mounting plate under the seat legs from the rear of the seat, then Bolt seat back in place.

The instructions for the ARB mount require removing the seat, cutting 7-7/8" off the HVAC duct, and removing a section of carpet so it mounts closer to front.

Something to keep in mind with the Innovative mount, since it is farther back than the ARB mount...

I'm using the ARB mounting bracket. The bracket creates a sort of bridge that the compressors mount beneath - so the screws that hold the compressors on the bracket are on the top side of the bracket. You'd think that wouldn't be a big deal, but on the underside of the seat there are two electrical connectors that happen to be directly above those mounting screw heads. When you slide the seat forward and backward, those connectors get hung up on the rear-most screw heads. I actually had to put 1/4" spacers beneath the back feet of my seat and use longer hardware so those connectors wouldn't get chewed up by the screw heads.

If you don't move your seat forward and backward much, it's probably not a big deal. Or, if you don't have those connectors it wouldn't matter at all. (I think it's for the heated seat option, but I'm not sure.)

At any rate, my concern with a mounting bracket that installs farther back is that you may run into similar problems with the seat itself or with some of the componentry mounted beneath it.

I'm not saying the Innovative mount has issues - I have no first-hand knowledge. I'm throwing this out as a consideration. If anyone is using that mount already, it would be great to hear if it clears properly.

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[Goin2drt]

It clears. Been using it for over a year. Also doesn’t get kicked either. Kids with size 13’s in the back seat fit just fine.

 

[MCJA]

I just took a second look at the Innovative solution. Candidly, I'd be concerned about the air filters on the compressor heads. If you don't have passengers in the back seat - not an issue. But it seems like they'd be sitting ducks for accidental kick damage. The ARB bracket covers the air filters to protect them a bit better.

That said, it doesn't look like the Innovative bracket would have any problems with clearing the components beneath the seat.

As always, it comes down to each individual's use cases and preferences.

 

[MCJA]

It clears. Been using it for over a year. Also doesn’t get kicked either. Kids with size 13’s in the back seat fit just fine.

Interesting! I just posted a comment about them getting kicked accidentally, right as you posted this. The position of the front seat contributes as well, I'm sure. If it's pulled up far forward, then the compressors would be more exposed. But if it's back, it covers them a bit better and probably helps to protect them a bit.

Again - my comments were only for others' consideration. I'm not saying the Innovative bracket isn't a viable solution. If anything, this thread shows that there are plenty of solutions but none of them are perfect. If there was a perfect solution, we wouldn't have this thread.

Did you have to remove any of the HVAC duct to use the Innovative bracket?

 

[Goin2drt]

Interesting! I just posted a comment about them getting kicked accidentally, right as you posted this.

Did you have to remove any of the HVAC duct to use the Innovative bracket?

Nope. I removed the seat though which took about 5 minutes for ease of access when mounting.

 

[MCJA]

Nope. I removed the seat though which took about 5 minutes for ease of access when mounting.

Absolutely. Even though their bracket simply slides under the seat feat, removing all of the seat or tilting it out of the way makes wiring and plumbing *much* easier.

How many mounting points are there for the bracket to the body? I see the 4 mounting holes for the compressors, but it looks like there's only a single mounting hole for the bracket to the body.

 

[Goin2drt]

Honestly don’t remember but it was more than one for sure. It is secure.

 

[MCJA]

Right, I just looked at the instructions on their website. There are actually two brackets and the compressor housing joins them together. Each bracket has a mounting hole, so there are two mounting points - one on each bracket.

I'm sure it's plenty secure, but the mechanical engineer in me says that you need 3 points to create a plane. Two points creates an axis of rotation. Practically speaking, it probably doesn't matter and it's secure as it needs to be for the application.

 

[PNWracer]

Just looking at the four door pictures and then looking at my two door, looks like will have to remove the rear seat floor mat mount to use the Innovative bracket.

 

[tonygiotta]

Something to keep in mind with the Innovative mount, since it is farther back than the ARB mount...

I'm using the ARB mounting bracket. The bracket creates a sort of bridge that the compressors mount beneath - so the screws that hold the compressors on the bracket are on the top side of the bracket. You'd think that wouldn't be a big deal, but on the underside of the seat there are two electrical connectors that happen to be directly above those mounting screw heads. When you slide the seat forward and backward, those connectors get hung up on the rear-most screw heads. I actually had to put 1/4" spacers beneath the back feet of my seat and use longer hardware so those connectors wouldn't get chewed up by the screw heads.

If you don't move your seat forward and backward much, it's probably not a big deal. Or, if you don't have those connectors it wouldn't matter at all. (I think it's for the heated seat option, but I'm not sure.)

At any rate, my concern with a mounting bracket that installs farther back is that you may run into similar problems with the seat itself or with some of the componentry mounted beneath it.

I'm not saying the Innovative mount has issues - I have no first-hand knowledge. I'm throwing this out as a consideration. If anyone is using that mount already, it would be great to hear if it clears properly.

I'm using the ARB, and have all the wiring harnesses (I believe they handle the heated seats and the seat bolster airbags) and I don't have any issue with those connectors catching bolt heads. It looks like the connectors pass just outboard of the heads on mine. It also appears there may be two sets of mounting holes the connector clip could be secured to on the bottom of the seat. Is it possible the factory maybe attached the clip in the wrong set of holes when they built your seat? Although... it looks close enough that even just a couple of very minor variances in wiring, seat, or bracket installation could cause the interference. I'd just hate to have to raise the back of the seat at all. They tip forward enough already! lol

 

[MCJA]

I'm using the ARB, and have all the wiring harnesses (I believe they handle the heated seats and the seat bolster airbags) and I don't have any issue with those connectors catching bolt heads. It looks like the connectors pass just outboard of the heads on mine. It also appears there may be two sets of mounting holes the connector clip could be secured to on the bottom of the seat. Is it possible the factory maybe attached the clip in the wrong set of holes when they built your seat? Although... it looks close enough that even just a couple of very minor variances in wiring, seat, or bracket installation could cause the interference. I'd just hate to have to raise the back of the seat at all. They tip forward enough already! lol

I looked for another spot to mount those connectors, but I didn't see any other readily available mounting holes for the clips. I certainly wasn't happy about raising the back of the seat. I don't notice the difference in seat angle - it's too small to tell. But it just makes the installation seem less OEM. I imagine there's a safety concern as well. I just try not to think about it...

 

[neil]

I've got this handy dandy universal mount in the back of a JL. Anyone recognize the brand on it....trying to ID it for member @RatherDashing

It simple sits on top of the hard top and uses the T50 mounts and holds compressor at 45. Driver's side.

 

[aham23]

I've got this handy dandy universal mount in the back of a JL. Anyone recognize the brand on it....trying to ID it for member @RatherDashing

It simple sits on top of the hard top and uses the T50 mounts and holds compressor at 45. Driver's side.

There’s a couple cargo mounts like that for the JL. Also many local shops in AZ are fabricating their own.

Anyway it looks very similar to the MORE mount.

 

[RatherDashing]

Does anyone make a mount for the passenger side? I don't have the Alpine system, and my compressor is already over there below the seat, though folding down the seat is a hassle.

 

[tonygiotta]

I've got this handy dandy universal mount in the back of a JL. Anyone recognize the brand on it....trying to ID it for member @RatherDashing

It simple sits on top of the hard top and uses the T50 mounts and holds compressor at 45. Driver's side.

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