FINAL_E3_OFR_GLADIATOR_magazine | Page 53

STEP 7: Install the two male 90- degree elbow fittings into the inlet ports on the compressor. Use thread sealant on the ends being inserted into the compressor to ensure a tight seal. STEP 8: Install the other male 90- degree fitting into the outlet port of the compressor. Make sure to use thread sealant on this as well. STEP 9: It’s time to put the compressor in! Fit the compressor up into the intended space and line up the compressor bracket with the spacer on the firewall and the corresponding hole with the master cylinder stud above the compressor. (There are two different mounting holes depending on whether the kit is being installed in a Wrangler or a Gladiator.) Secure into place with the nuts. There is not much clearance, you will need to pull the compressor bracket away from the firewall about 1/4” to get the nuts on. Tighten with a wrench. You can use the additional mounting hole and the Gladiator specific mounting hole to mount an ARB manifold for air lockers. In a Gladiator, you can install the manifold using the additional mounting hole and the Wrangler specific mounting hole. So, in both Wrangler and Gladiator models you can mount the ARB manifold directly to the mounting bracket. STEP 10: Reinstall the upper shock bolt. STEP 11: Adjust the wires up and out of the way making sure nothing is being pinched. You can use zip ties to secure them in a safe spot. How well does it perform in this little space? How does it not overheat? The included heat shield protects it from the catalytic converter which gets to almost 2000 degrees. The catalytic converter actually has a heat shield of its own to keep the temperature inside the exhaust and there is a 3” air gap to the catalytic converter which helps a lot. During development they did an 8-hour straight test with a slow leak on the compressor where it was having to cycle on and off with the jeep running and the temperature only got about 10 degrees warmer than doing the same test on the bench. The heat performance is actually very good. The heat shield reflects a large amount of heat back from the catalytic converter. That’s also why the fan is in the back where it can take cold air in from the bottom of the fender well. There’s an air gap there. It’s high enough up where it is protected from the elements as well. It’s actually a very good home for it. Now let’s move up top and start bringing stuff down to it. It’s easiest to bring all the tubing and things like that down to meet it instead of trying to route them up. STEP 12: Remove the two nuts from the coolant reservoir and shimmy it up and off, then open up the wire loom compartment along the firewall. Compressor Wiring Harness STEP 13: Grab your ARB wiring harness and plug it into the compressor. You will then thread the ARB wiring harness inside here with the factory wiring in the wire loom compartment, this keeps it looking stock and clean. This is a great place to run any wiring you might have, power steps or lights. That way you only have to go in there once.