What's new
Ram Heavy Duty Forum

Register a free 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 through your own private inbox!

On board mount for ViAir or ARB?

Alligator John

Well-Known Member
Messages
355
Reaction score
623
Points
93
Anyone here used the under seat Desert Does It mount? Like it, hate it? Pros, cons?
 
I don’t like having the compressor under the seat. I got the NH Overland under hood mount for mine. They have a few different options.

 
I don’t like having the compressor under the seat. I got the NH Overland under hood mount for mine. They have a few different options.

I already have the NH Overland battery mount. It takes up the same location the under hood NH Overland compressor mount would go, so that is not an option.
 
I already have the NH Overland battery mount. It takes up the same location the under hood NH Overland compressor mount would go, so that is not an option.

I just would rather have the compressor outside of the truck for the noise and I prefer to keep what little interior storage I have.
I considered getting the spare tire delete mount as I would like to put a 2nd battery in that spot and possibly a tank for the compressor.
They also have one that mounts to the passenger side frame rail, I’m not crazy about that one, it seems to leave the compressor pretty exposed. I guess it depends how much off roading and rock crawling you plan to do.
As the saying goes, there are no solutions, only trade offs.
 
I put mine under the rear seat (custom mount but basically the same as the NH overland one), and then ran hoses down outside of the cab to connectors I put in the front and rear bumpers (which means I don’t need a crazy long hose to reach all 4 tires, and don’t need to have the hood or door open to air up if it’s raining). Obviously downside of it in the cab is it does take a bit of storage space (but not really space I was using for much anyways and it’s not that easy to access…so no major loss), and it is a bit noisy if I’m sitting in the truck but no big deal usually, and I only really turn the compressor on to air up tires up. I know the ARB compressors are outdoor rated, but I prefer keeping it in a clean environment
 
I really like the on frame idea, but I worry because my world involves lots of deep mud and water. I for sure would have to snorkel the filters someplace cleaner. Don't really want to give up one of the rear floor boxes or rambox space. Under the rear seat could work, but I would prefer to keep the storage there too. I have a Badlands floor jack and 911 motorsports mount for the jack to be mounted nosed up under the retrax box at the front of the bed, so I was already thinking about removing the factory jack under the passenger seat anyway. Thus why I was considering the Desert Does it mount. As vanmeatsauce said, there are only trade offs, so something has to give. I have run out of other ideas unless I go with the single to keep it smaller to find a pocket someplace under the hood to fabricate a bracket for. I really don't want to do a portable. I do that now and that compressor tends to walk off and get forgotten. I want it dedicated mounted to the truck this time.
Thanks for the input guys. It's a fun problem to have and decide what to do.
 
My Opinion

The arb unit i would consider waterproof except the air intake of it.

If you’re using the compressor as an air source and not to run lockers you wouldn’t really have a need to run the compressor submerged unless you park your truck in a lake.

You could run the intake filter up behind the taillight or something but that could effect cfm of the compressor.
 
Mounted my ARB twin under the passenger seat using the DesertDoesIt bracket/kit. Its a very nice setup and is very well made. I chose to mount under the seat so I could use the space in the engine bay for a second battery setup... I have radios mounted in other locations inside the cab so the passenger seat was the only option. Personally dont like the idea of having it outside the cab, the noise isn't an issue for me as its not that loud unless you have the doors shut.
 
Mounted my ARB twin under the passenger seat using the DesertDoesIt bracket/kit. Its a very nice setup and is very well made. I chose to mount under the seat so I could use the space in the engine bay for a second battery setup... I have radios mounted in other locations inside the cab so the passenger seat was the only option. Personally dont like the idea of having it outside the cab, the noise isn't an issue for me as its not that loud unless you have the doors shut.
Thanks. That is what I was wanting to hear. I'm committed now. I ordered the mount tonight. With the switch plus airline connector located right on the mount and the short power supply run to the passenger side 2nd battery, that is going to be the easiest K.I.S.S. solution for me since I am removing the factory jack anyway. And I can always put the factory trim piece over it if I don't like how it looks.
 
Thanks. That is what I was wanting to hear. I'm committed now. I ordered the mount tonight. With the switch plus airline connector located right on the mount and the short power supply run to the passenger side 2nd battery, that is going to be the easiest K.I.S.S. solution for me since I am removing the factory jack anyway. And I can always put the factory trim piece over it if I don't like how it looks.

You'll like how it looks :)
 
I put mine under the rear seat (custom mount but basically the same as the NH overland one), and then ran hoses down outside of the cab to connectors I put in the front and rear bumpers (which means I don’t need a crazy long hose to reach all 4 tires, and don’t need to have the hood or door open to air up if it’s raining). Obviously downside of it in the cab is it does take a bit of storage space (but not really space I was using for much anyways and it’s not that easy to access…so no major loss), and it is a bit noisy if I’m sitting in the truck but no big deal usually, and I only really turn the compressor on to air up tires up. I know the ARB compressors are outdoor rated, but I prefer keeping it in a clean environment
Pics? I have been contemplating doing that exact thing but behind the rear seat.
 
Does the ARB get hot when running? My ViAir gets hot as $#% after running for a minute or longer - I couldn't imagine that heat under a seat being good long term. That being said - my ViAir is a standalone unit but definitely interested in a mounted system somewhere under the truck.
 
Does the ARB get hot when running? My ViAir gets hot as $#% after running for a minute or longer - I couldn't imagine that heat under a seat being good long term. That being said - my ViAir is a standalone unit but definitely interested in a mounted system somewhere under the truck.
They do get pretty hot.
 
Does the ARB get hot when running? My ViAir gets hot as $#% after running for a minute or longer - I couldn't imagine that heat under a seat being good long term. That being said - my ViAir is a standalone unit but definitely interested in a mounted system somewhere under the truck.
Mine (the Dual ARB version) has a fan on it that kicks on automatically for cooling so it can run 100% duty cycle. I dont see it being an issue Thats my non-scientific opinion. Next time I run it I'll stick my hand under there and see how hot it is..
 
Not feasible for most people but here is how I mounted mine...

index.php
 
Does the ARB get hot when running? My ViAir gets hot as $#% after running for a minute or longer - I couldn't imagine that heat under a seat being good long term. That being said - my ViAir is a standalone unit but definitely interested in a mounted system somewhere under the truck.
An older post I know, but I can tell you that a quick connect straight out of the compressor will get to 215+ degrees. That is why I added the braided line and manifold to the setup you see in the photo just above this post.
 
Back
Top