Airbags, cradles, compressor and MOUNT...oh my! (Pic heavy)

In preparation for picking up my quad and hauling it on top of my Diamondback HD ATV cover (posted in What have you done to your 3rd gen Tundra today? [800lb hitchhiker...]), I installed Firestone Airbags, Daystar Cradles, and an Airlift EZ Mount compressor. There are a number of install threads/video for the bags, cradles and compressors but not so much for mounting options (at least that I could find).

Rather than mount the compressor under the truck (exposed to elements) or in the bed, I opted for an under-the-hood installation. I searched high and low and found a few options out there. However, for what they are, I found the prices to be ridiculously high and the long wait times and lack of response/communication from the businesses turned me off. That was until I stumbled upon mxdustin on Ebay. He is also a member here now since he too owns a Tundra. He wasn't aware of this site so I steered him here to check out all of the great communication I have been so fortunate to explore for mods, etc. He cannot sell in this site yet since he's a new member. BTW, mounting the compressor under the hood resulted in me only needing to run one airline to the engine bay--I don't have the compressor which inflates the bags separately. All electrical connections for the compressor were run and made right in the engine bay. This was so nice!

His price was great comparably, communication was outstanding, and he even tweaked the design as per my request for a slightly easier install and with fitment options for my compressor setup. It appears the mount will also fit ARB and other compressor configurations. FULL DISCLOSURE...I did receive a discount for agreeing to verify fitment for my compressor setup. The install went flawlessly! Pics are below. If you're interested you can check it out at the link below. Two things: 1. I "think" it will fit BOTH 2nd and 3rd Gen Tundras. 2. There are some pics in the Ebay listing of the bracket mounted which is smaller and not coated--the mount being sold (as pictured below) is larger and powder-coated.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/07-20-Tund...On-Board-RideRite-Air-Bag-Spring/254761231474

Airbags w/ Cradles Installed & Location of Manual Fill/Relief Valve




The Mount
It arrived quickly to SE PA from Kansas, was well packaged, the crackled, powder coated black finish was beautiful and it seemed pretty stout (steel). I don't know what gauge. Here are some pics with measurements.





Installation
There are two bolts which need to be fully removed from the black plastic tabs and two on the firewall which need to be only loosened. All four bolts are 10mm.

Remove these



Loosen these. The mxdustin compressor mount only needs to slide down over these and then retightened. A standard socket was too tight to get at these after the mount was in place, so I used a 10mm ratcheting wrench--still a little tight.


The front bolt needs to be secured through the top of the mount. I'd recommend a piece of electrical tape in the socket to hold the bolt secure while you begin to reseat it. Unless you have sockets that hold bolts secure, it will fall out. The gray disk is the filter for the compressor. The mxdustin mount has a spot for it. It needs to be installed with the air line before installing the mount.


Installed Mount (solid)


Installed Compressor
This particular configuration has a larger footprint because it houses all of the components (compressor, bluetooth module, etc.) in one mounting bracket. This is so you can use a large U-bracket (provided with EZ system, sorry no pic) to secure the compressor to the frame of the truck in one fell swoop. I could have used it here but would have needed to set the U-bracket in place prior to installing the mxdustin mounting bracket. I had carriage bolts available and opted to used them instead. Either works perfectly.

Down the road, I may disassemble the EZ system and install the components separately (there is plenty of room). The main reason for this would be to gain easier access to changing the compressor filter inside of the gray disk.

Don't judge, but I had already installed the compressor into this location with heavy-duty zip-ties (can be your best friend in a pinch) while waiting on the mxdustin mount. Obviously, his mount is much better solution! I ran the ground wire to the far left, outermost bolt on the firewall (one of those which needed to be loosened).


Wiring Harness
This thing was super long since it is designed to run from the rear of the truck to the battery. I dry fitted the harness and ran it along my amp power wire to the battery (left some extra for "just in case moments"). I ran the finished length through some left over braided wire loom (from bed and courtesy light led project) and secured it to the amp wire along the firewall and then onto the battery.

To protect the wiring, I definitely recommend some type of loom and waterproof connectors and marine grade shrink tubing.



Take Aways/What I Learned
Being crunched on time like all of you, fortunately, I was able to install the mxdustin compressor mount in less than 30 minutes. Since I was super crunched on time, I was still in a shirt and tie and had my 4 year old hanging out in the garage with me trying to steal my attention. I placed a moving blanket over the engine to keep clean. I know, I know, my engine bay needs a cleaning! It was super simple. However, I needed a step stool and had to tap into to my younger years' flexibility since some angles for tightening mounting bolts, required some cotorsion--especially on the firewall.

If I had to do it all over again I would absolutely use the mxdustin mount! But, I think I would have purchased the Airlift model which has the components separate from one another and mounted them onto the mxdustin mount PRIOR to installing his mount. It would have saved me money, would have offered a lower profile, and would have been easier to install overall IMO.

Happy modding!

 

I received confirmation...this does fit BOTH 2nd and 3rd gen Tundras.