What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

On board air. Which compressor?

littlejimmythatcould

littlejimmythatcould

1/2 ton status
Joined
Feb 6, 2006
Posts
797
Reaction score
1
Location
Clovis, NM
I decided to keep my Jimmy but am going to make a much needed addition: On board air. I don't wheel a whole lot but it would be nice to be able to use my truck as an air compressor since I don't have room to store an actual compressor. I got a job at a local salvage yard/machine shop/ mechanic shop and have a good employee discount :D. Will any air conditioning compressor work or is there a certain make and year that I should use? I am going with the mechanical one vs. the electrical because the mechanical drive ones are supposed to put out more psi and charge quicker. I'm also playing around with idea of the Warn powerplant, and I could move it between the Jimmy and my Super Duty. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
If you want something bolt in and dont want to hassle with a long install process, get a package kit from kilby or Viair, etc... doing a homemade kit with a york takes a bit of work, but is well worth it IMO.
 
Any volvo will have the York compressor or are there certain years? Also, that puts out finding one at work because he mainly has pre 90 domestic stuff. I didn't know if a chevy one would work and it would be easier to find a bracket for.
 
Volvo's, some fords and some motorhomes (don't remember makes) all had/have yorks. And I make brackets (pm me if your ever interested).
 
littlejimmythatcould said:
Any volvo will have the York compressor or are there certain years? Also, that puts out finding one at work because he mainly has pre 90 domestic stuff. I didn't know if a chevy one would work and it would be easier to find a bracket for.
Click to expand...

AMC's also will have them. See

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/yorkair.html

specifically

http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/york_acquisition.html

The typical GM compressor uses the coolant as lubrication, so you hafta oil it externally, then remove the oil and re-use it, or you'll burn up the compressor. The York has oil in the bottom like a motor ... muy simple.

The brackets are easy, as a member here makes them, if you wanna replace your existing AC compressor, or you can buy a setup from Kilby (above) if not.

Note that the York is CHEAP, but requires lots of DIY on your part, and the other options are all easy, but expensive. Your call.

-- A
 
dremu said:
The brackets are easy, as a member here makes them, if you wanna replace your existing AC compressor, or you can buy a setup from Kilby (above) if not.

Note that the York is CHEAP, but requires lots of DIY on your part, and the other options are all easy, but expensive. Your call.

-- A
Click to expand...

Only problem is Kilby doesn't make brackets for pre-88 chevy's but I do :D . DIY setups can be done for cheap is correct, I didn't mine for under $150 for everything.
 
Muddytazz said:
Only problem is Kilby doesn't make brackets for pre-88 chevy's but I do :D . DIY setups can be done for cheap is correct, I didn't mine for under $150 for everything.
Click to expand...

I always get you confused with Muddybuddy, so thanks for clarifying. I shall endeavour to remember :doah:

Kilby makes the serpentine one, right?

-- A
 
All kilby makes for GM bracket wise is....

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]1988-1996 Pre-Vortec Chevy small block[/FONT] (this is with drivers side alternator, at least according to them)​

and​


[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]87-96 Chevy small block[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] without AC (this is with drivers side side alt again)[/FONT]


​
 
Yeah, I have hedders too so it will make the bracket making a bit more challenging. I just like the idea of the belt driven one since it puts out a lot of power and can run some air tools. All of these articles were very helpful, now I know what I'm looking for. If I can't find one, can any AC unit work? They all more or less work the same way. I will have to see what I can find and how big they are. Either way, there will be a lot of work. I might do my dual battery set up first.
 
Actually the brackets I make are universal, work with stock manifold or headers all in one.

Yorks are about 12" tall and about 6" square then add on the clutch in front at about another 2" - 3". Just make sure when you go and look for one, that you read the name plate for a 210 that is the biggest york.

Here is a pic

Compressor.sized.jpg
 
littlejimmythatcould said:
If I can't find one, can any AC unit work? They all more or less work the same way.
Click to expand...

As I keep telling you, in a word, NO they don't all work the same way ;)

The other ones require external lubrication, i.e. an oiler, and then some kind of lubrication removal/trap and possible reuse. The Yorks are MUCH simpler to plumb, as they have the internal splash lube.

I killed a Sanden and an older stock GM one messing about -- they just overheat and seize :(

You CAN find a York -- they're everywhere. The local PickNPulls here ALWAYS have Volvos with the Yorks in them. I'd almost offer to pull you one for time+mileage+shipping but I suspect that would make it a bit too pricey ;)

-- A
 
AZ79K5Project said:
Just another thought. For the occasional use, I bought one the Master Flow Q-Maxx MF-1052 from Costco for $50.00. I'm going to put an air tank on-board. A buddy of mine has one and swears by it for the cost.

This is the last version (MF-1050) sold at Amazon

Here are couple of discussions on this one:
http://www.yotatech.com/f44/master-flow-mf-1052-tire-inflator-costco-again-48-a-106671/
http://www.jeepsunlimited.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7664935
Click to expand...

we had a discussion (sorta') on this one before: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140528&highlight=mf-1050
 
Muddytazz said:
Just make sure when you go and look for one, that you read the name plate for a 210 that is the biggest york.
Click to expand...
Are the low output ones useable? I got one for free. Is it worth anything?
 
Muddytazz said:
they are usable, just takes longer to build up pressure and harder to hold pressure
Click to expand...
ok thanks, the local jy has two volvos with yorks, I will probably get one of those but hang on to this one for a future project or something
 
My buddy gave me one off of his Nissan 240 sx or whatever it is, but I think it looks too small and now I have an extra piece of junk in my yard. I can't say no to free stuff:doah:. It's a real problem. I think I will go with the master flow since it's more of a "plug and play" deal, but I will hard mount it to the truck and plumb a air tank to it. Hopefully it will be enough to run some air tools off of. It says 150 psi max on it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom