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ARB Air Locker Installation

Publish date: Nov 1, 2005
By: ORC STAFF
Source: Jeep at Off-Road.com

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Compressor Assembly

Screw 1/8" x 1/8" BSP male fitting into compressor head using a teflon sealant. The 1/8" BSP female threaded hole is in the cast aluminum compressor tank.
Screw air solenoid valve onto 1/8" fitting. The solenoid should be in a vertical position if possible.
Screw 1/8" x 5mm fitting into solenoid valve.

Compressor Mounting

Find a clear location under the hood (or in the cabin) to mount the compressor.
- The compressor should be mounted within 6 feet of the battery.
Drill 1/4" holes and mount the compressor using the supplied hardware.
- Care must be taken to ensure the motor housing is not distorted.
Mount the switch bracket in a convenient location under the dashboard using the screws provided. Push switch(es) into the bracket and install applicable cover(s) to switch(es). If you wish, switches can be installed directly into the dashboard without using the bracket provided.
- Be sure to place the Air Locker warning decal in a suitable location within view of the driver.
A complete wiring loom is provided for ease of installation. A 30 amp in-line fuse is located in the loom for electrical protection.
One end of the loom is comprised of 2 sets of 5 wires fitted with push on terminals. Attached to these sets of wires are 2 plastic, 6-way, connector housings. Remove the connector housings and set them aside. Feed this end of the loom through the firewall from the engine side into the cabin.
Assemble both 6-way connectors by inserting the 5 terminals into the rear of the plastic housing. Push terminals firmly into the housing until they lock in position.
- It is essential that both connectors be assembled to prevent a short circuit.
If only a single air locker is being installed, then only connector No. 1 (RED WIRE) will be required. Insert balance of terminals into connector No. 2 (GREEN WIRE) as per diagram and tape the connector to the loom. This connector will be required if a second Air Locker is fitted later.
- All terminals that have not been used must be insulated.
Plug connector No. 1 (RED WIRE) onto "push-on/push-off" switch. If 2 air lockers are being installed, use connector No. 1 (RED WIRE) on "REAR" differential lock switch and connector No. 2 (GREEN WIRE) on "FRONT" differential lock switch. Connectors must be inserted the correct way with all 5 terminals making contact.
An isolating switch (not included) may be installed in the dashboard. This switch can be used to isolate the compressor. Connect 20" (500mm) red wire to one terminal of isolating switch. The other terminal should be wired to the ignition or accessories to provide power only when the ignition is on. If an isolating power switch is not used, connect red wire directly to the vehicle's ignition or accessories to provide power only when the ignition is on. If the switch is not used the compressor will always maintain pressure for operation of the Air Locker.
Locate an active wire which supplies power to the dash panel lights and spline in BLUE/WHITE wire using a "Scotchlok" wire joiner provided.
Feed wiring loom to compressor. Connect 1-way connectors (RED WIRE) and (BLUE WIRE) to pressure switch and 2-way connector (BLACK & RED WIRES) to electric motor.
Mount in-line relay base to inner guard with screw provided.
Connect 2-way connector (YELLOW & BLACK WIRES) to solenoid. If only a single differential lock is being installed, then the remaining 2-way connector (GREEN & BLACK WIRES) should be folded back and taped to the loom. This connector will be required if a second Air Locker is fitted later. If two Air Lockers are being fitted, connect 2- way connector (GREEN & BLACK WIRES) to the solenoid.
Connect the RED WIRE to positive terminal of vehicle battery, and the BLACK WIRE to the negative terminal of the vehicle battery, using the insulated terminals supplied.
Feed excess wiring loom through firewall and tie up, neatly, under dash panel.
Fit 5mm plastic air line to bulkhead fitting in differential as follows:
- Slide spring, top compression nut, and 5 mm ferrule onto blue nylon tubing. Push the tube support up the end of the tube, and insert the end of tube into the central compression nut. Screw on the top compression nut and torque up. Slide the spring over the nut until the lower tang clips under the nut.
- Check that both the copper coated tubing and the blue nylon tube are held securely into the bulkhead fitting. Test for air leaks.
- Feed the air line up to the chassis. Note: Leave enough excess line to allow for full downward travel of suspension. Feed the air line along the chassis to the compressor. Tie the air line with the plastic ties provided. Cut off the excess plastic line and fit to solenoid valve.
Fit 30 amp relay into the relay base in the wiring loom.
Switch on compressor. When it automatically stops, check all airline fittings for leaks.

Pictures

Features of the new ARB air compressor include:

Die-cast aluminum tank
Carbon-impregnated piston ring
Oil-less operation
Extruded aluminum cylinder barrel
Closed-coupled motor
Unitary construction

Mike Bown of Moab Off Road installs the ARB air compressor in the engine compartment of "Project ZJ". Finding a location under the hood of a V-8 equipped Grand Cherokee may seem impossible, but Mike ingeniously relocated the speed control servo, making room for the underhood compressor.

Comments and questions from our Readers

Bob Rivera / Dededo, AP
Posted Aug 18 2008 06:34PM
Hi, I am from Guam USA (Pacific Island) 8,000 miles from Hawaii. I have ARB Air Locker installed on my 1987 CJ5 Jeep (i did not know it works) my friend hot wired assembly and compressor works. We went off-road twices (clay type mud road) I need to work on ARB air locker (wiring assembly) I will read more on your installation and make it work right.