Many moons ago I bought a used on board air setup used from someone on Pirate4x4. He made bracketry to piggy-back the factory AC compressor onto a rotary York. This was pretty ingenious, especially for a daily driver like mine where cold AC is important. I was glad to buy the system because someone had already done the guesswork and fitting. Here's what it looked like:



Unfortunately, despite it being a great idea, the design was lacking. First, the factory AC mounted to the York, which then mounted to the engine. This meant the brackets supporting the York also had to support the outwardly hung factory AC, putting them under tremendous stress. To further complicate matters, the York was mounted in two places at the bottom, but only one place at the top.

Although the previous owner ran this setup without incident before I got it, the use of thin materials and problems with the design eventually lead to several failures that I had to repair multiple times. Recently I popped the hood to find this: the York-to-engine brackets in pieces and the whole setup dangling from my AC lines.



It was the last straw for me. I decided it was time to do my own thing. So here's where I am starting. This time I want to use a one piece bracket to mount the York compressor. I cut it out of 1/4" plate using a chopsaw and a cutoff wheel. Then I marked/drilled the four mounting holes to mount it to the original AC bracket/tensioner. For the lower mounting, I used dimensions pulled from the previous OBA setup, then made my own tabs for the top.



Here's what it looks like welded up with FOUR mounting points. (The welds have water around them because after air cooling for a while, I put it in water to make sure it wouldn't burn my hands.)



Here it is mounted to the engine. Unfortunately I had to remove my original AC compressor temporarily for access, losing the freon in the process.







My next step is going to be mounting the factory compressor, which I will do a bit differently than the previous version. This time, I want to connect it to the engine directly, also tying it into the York. I am going to try incorporating a tensioner for the belt between the York and the factory compressor. The previous setup had a belt running directly between the two, which required shimming to adjust tension. That was a PITA that I'd like to avoid with this version.

Work continues...



After welding the Frankenbracket up (I stole Erik B's name ha!), I shot a few coats of f*rd engine paint on it.



Below: Here's the stock A/C mounting bracket/tensioner.



Below: The first step is bolting on the Frankenbracket in four locations.

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba10.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba11.jpg[/img]

Below: Then the York rotary air compressor can be mounted securely with four bolts. At this point I could run a belt to it and it would be a stand alone system.

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba12.jpg[/img]

Below: Next comes the factory Toyota A/C compressor, which gets this bracket tightened on completely.

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba13.jpg[/img]

Below: I losely mount it to the York compressor so that it can pivot

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba14.jpg[/img].

Below: Rotate it up, tighten down a few bolts and Viola! On Board Air and Air Conditioning. One issue I may have is that one of the A/C compressor lines is very close to the throttle body, so I'm not sure if I nutted line is going to fit too well. We'll see.

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba15.jpg[/img]

Below: I didn't get to it yet, but this is where I want to put the tensioner (red part) for the new system. This is a stock Toyota compressor-bracket/tensioner just like the one I showed a few pictures back on my engine. I got this as part of the original OBA system and I'm glad to have a use for it now. I took a cutoff wheel to it and I will be modifying it a little to fit.

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba16.jpg[/img]

[img]http://thebandit.xtremefabricator.com/oba/newoba17.jpg[/img]

I am going to make the tensioner part a bolt-on piece that will attach to the Frankenbracket. It's already tight getting wrenches in there for putting this big bracket on, so being able to take the tensioner off will be to my advantage.

It may be a while before I finish this. For now I just need to be able to drive the truck without a bunch of heavy crap bouncing around in my engine compartment.

Wow great tech! Nice job, that is a really tight fit but it looks like it fits well and is super stout. Thanks for sharing. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

that looks like a really clean good job <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />. do you think youll notice any hp or gas mileage loss from running two compressors like that though? i dont have ac or oba so i wouldnt know haha.

Thats a great idea and a great post. It's one of the benefits of having a little extra room under there with a 22re, as well. Not sure where ya could find room on the front of a 3.0 to do that.

Great mod, tho.

Mike in AR <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the complements guys!



I didn't notice much difference in power when I took off the old OBA setup (first picture). The compressor pulleys turn pretty easily with the clutches disengaged, all the power requirement is going into the moving the belts and friction in the bearings. It probably robs some power, but nothing I can feel. Of course when either clutch is engaged there is a loss in power since the engine is driving the compressor.

Very nice work. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> I've had the 2nd compressor for awhile, you sure inspire me to hook it up!! Please keep us posted. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />



I see a couple mpg's less w/AC on and NO noticable diff w/AC off vs belt removed. Well worth the price for comfort IMO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />. OBA won't run much so I doubt there'll be much diff from that.

Oh, and I get (an imaginary <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />) nitrous boost for passing when I turn AC compressor off! hahahahahahaaa

That is cool! Thanks for sharing.

NICE WORK but isn't that a Sanden compressor?

It has the same dimensions as a Sanden, but it is actually a York. There is some info here: http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=231867

I believe it came off an early 90s Volvo. I haven't done a whole lot of research on it. I just know it works pretty well!

Nice job! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> Given any thought to making up some of these to sell to board members? If you do, put me down for one!