More locker help

[JeffW]

OK. I looked my vehicle over when installing the ARB switches yesterday. Eric's mounting spot won't work for me since I don't have a welder. I am considering mounting it behind the bumper. I know this limits my water fording ability, but I don't think it's a big deal in CO. I rarely deal with any deep water around here and don't really like submerging the axles, anyway.

The toughest part about this approach is trying to optimize the wiring. The best spot for the pump is behind the passenger side of the bumper. This makes for a pretty long run of wire. The pre-made ARB wire seems long enough, but I will have to optimize the run. There is a usable hole in the firewall on the passenger side that I'd like to use. However it is behind a whole bunch of crap and I wanted to know if I was going to get in over my head when I start taking that stuff apart.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

[Packman5280]

only suggestion is if you need to make a longer run, use larger gauge wire.

or put it in the passenger compartment, inside the spare tire carrier.

[Packman5280]

oh, and did you try calling me yesterday? saw a missed call from 719, but didn't know if it was you or not.

[JeffW]

oh, and did you try calling me yesterday? saw a missed call from 719, but didn't know if it was you or not.

That's weird. I don't think I have your number. I did call a wrong number in area code 720 yesterday, though.

....

I am trying to use the stock harness because I don't want to add extra junctions. That is why I must optimize the wire run.

[Eric P]

Jeff;
There is a large rubber grommet just behind the cruise control on the fire wall. This comes out in the lower right hand side of the passanager foot well. You remove 4 plastic push screws & 1 metal screw to remove the 2 pieces of plastic hiding the exit point.

Take a metal clothes hanger & straighten it out. Take the end of the wiring harness that goes to the cab & duck tape it the hanger. Make sure you create a sort of torpedo shape with the tape.

Poke the hanker through the grommet & fead it until you can see it on the other side. One you can grab it, pull it & the wireing harness through.

The harness may be to short to reach past the center console if ou mount it in the bumper.

You can also do what GrandforksXterra did & mount it between the CC module & the fender. Just take the outer fender off & drill through the inner fender. They give you that braket for mounting on thinner metal.

[Nissanclay]

Mine is mounted under the bed of my truck behind the passenger tire. I have had it there for two years and aside from needing to spray the contacts with electric parts cleaner everyonce in awhile it works great. I did have to extend the wires and like jamie said use a large guage. I split the wires in the center of the original ARB wires and added the new wires, this way I kept all the ARB plugs in tack.

[Alpine Spirit]

Just mount it to the inner fender wall. Move the Cruise control out of the way.

[tmorgan4]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting it wet. Worst case you could run the filter on a long hose like a snorkel to a higher spot.

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/PR-ARB/articles/14b_ARB_install-review/Compressor/CKS01_submerged-22_06_2005.avi

Enjoy. :cool:

[Bill Potter]

Just buy one of these for each locker and mount the switchs in the center console and never worry about wiring problems again.


http://www.gulfcoastrovers.com/all/switch/

[ChefTyler]

He still needs to wire a switch for the compressor though, and being that it's an ARB compressor and it comes with the nifty harness wired for the three switches :D

I seriously thought about that for my lockers, and running them off my CO2, but I would worry about running out of CO2 because I didn't get to fill up the tank before the run.

[Bill Potter]

True on the compressor....but he was questioning how long the wires were. With these switches you mount and wire your air source under the hood and just run air lines to the switches.

I just use a small 6 gallon portable tank for my air source and then "recharge" it with my CO2 tank. The lockers don't use much air and without leaks I get by all day on one charge...Then I recharge it before the next run.

Maybe some day I will wire up an ARB pump or Vi-Air compressor.

[ChefTyler]

Right, we're so close to saying exactly the same thing it hurts :D