I have a 90 4runner, auto w/ARB's. I'm using CO2 as my air source and no solenoids or electric switches. Does anyone else have this setup and if so where did you locate these non-electric switches??

 

I don't understand. Are you using valves for the CO2 to control flow?

 

Um - why don't you use the solenoids?

The problem I see is with pneumatic switches is you'll have to run a line from the diff into the cab, possibly getting oily air into the cab. As a matter of fact, I remember someone complaining about just that either here or TTORA...

 

I'm using a pressure regular (manifold) to get the CO2 pressure down to 80-90 psi, then using 2 of these.......to turn the ARB's on/off instead of the normal ARB stuff. Where are people mounting them in a 90 4runner??



Here is link......

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

 

A guy i know uses something like that. he has a jeep and has them mounted in one of those tuffy consoles inbetween the seats. (flip the top up and there is a row of switches inside)

 

Pros and cons using CO2 and non-electric swithes....

Pros.. Simple tube routing, No electrical wiring, No Electric pump to fail, No A/C pump to fail, soleniods sometimes fail and electric switches sometimes fail.

Cons..Run out of CO2 (I have a 15lbs bottle), possible gear lube smell from ARB exhaust (if not exhuasted outside of vehicle)

 

I mounted my ARB switches in the center console where the change holders and window lock buttons were (but they're electric).

Why didn't you use the solenoids that came with the lockers? Afraid of freezing them with the CO2? How do you ensure you don't freeze the locker with the super cold gas?

 

I thought about putting them in the console but I have the rear heater in mine and don't know how much room is available inside it, also need to be able to get to them easy if I need to make an unexpected repair. They are 2-3" long too, making them difficult to install.

 

the expanding CO2 (from liquid to gas) is what makes the bottle want to freeze, but the CO2 that comes out in gas form isnt all that cold. pluss your locker is in a relitivly warm diffirental, pluss there is quite a run of air line between your co2 tank and locker meaning it has plenty of time to warm up even more.

The last thing i would worry about is freezing the locker.

the first thing.... running out of air to run them....

 

Pluss mounting the CO2 bottle vertical virtually eleminates freezing. Running out of air shouldn't be a problem. I've heard comp guys running their ARB's all season off a little paintball sized tank.

 

Under the CD player will give you enough depth. 2nd gen cockpits are cramped, you will need to get creative.

Lamm

 

I saw someone mount pneumatic locker switches on the floor under the driverside seat, but they were larger than those.

 

My compressor runs hardly at all, so I wouldn't worry about running out of gas, but you have to be very careful to make sure you don't have any leaks (which are very obvious with a compressor, not so much with CO2).

I would argue that running the small wires required to the switches is A LOT easier than running the tubing and the obvious problem of where to put the switch. Plus, I assume the CO2 is in the back, so you have to run air lines to the front to the switch, then back. Seems like a lot of ris for a leak...

Just my $0.02

 

I suggest under the left side drivers seat.
A suggestion, CO2 draws moisture/water and can foul/milkshake the oil not to mention rust, Try Nitrogen.
Nitrogen displaces water and moiture, Not tempeture sensative and is just as cheap.
Also nitrogen isnt as deadly as CO2 if it happens to leak filling the cab.

 

In the grand scheme of things, death by nitrogen and CO2 is so insignificant it doesn't deserve mention. The mechanism of death in this case would mostly suffocation so either gas is equally deadly. They will both displace an equal amount of air. There are multiple cases where people have had their CO2 tanks suddenly let go in their vehicle and the most dangerous thing is an instant fog appeared limiting visibility.

If were's splitting hairs about danger, I'd be more wary about having a nitrogen tank of much higher pressure inside my vehicle.

I have never heard of anybody fouling their diff oil because of CO2. Please cite examples of this happening.

But yes, I'd agree, under the seat would be a good place for the switches.

 

I'll check into mounting them under the seat, then I can easily run the exhaust port out of the vehicle. Good idea!

 

You need to have at least the front one readily accessible - I'm turning mine off and on all the time!