Alternative LJ Rubicon locker pump relocation method

DMopar97

Member
Original poster
Joined
Jul 29, 2024
Messages
47
Location
California
It put my savvy flat belly on, and had to relocate my rubicon locker pumps. I saw lots of people relocating their compressor to the engine bay, usually the ABS tray. But frankly that seemed like a waste of valuable convenient real estate for something that is mostly set and forget. I have other future plans for my ABS tray. I also didn't like all the "doubling" back and forth for the wiring. I'm sure it's fine, but it annoyed me. This was annoying me at the same time as I was thinking about how annoying the extra ~4" of rear fender on the LJ is. So I decided to relocate my locker pumps there!

First I played around with a few locations in the back fender/corner of the tub, there's actually a few options:

This is using the stock bracket right under/next to the evap pump on the passenger side. Shoot a few self tappers in it, and bobs your unkle.
IMG_6949.JPG


This is on the drivers side, also using the stock bracket:
IMG_6951.JPG


But I landed on using the existing fender brace, and designing a bracket in CAD to CNC plasma cut.

CAD v1:
IMG_6955.JPG


CAD v2. Note that the holes for the OEM bushings aren't a circle, nor are they "square" to each other. So make sure you measure properly:
LJ rubicon locker air pump relocate cnc plasma.png



Drilled some holes in the fender support bracket:


IMG_6962.JPG


Did some painting, and mounted the compressors using the OEM bushings. The line with the Tee, and the short vent is the air intake, which was already previously in this same fenderwell location:
IMG_6976.JPG


And the backside:
IMG_6978.JPG



Installed. Running hose, and wire here was very easy. I have a body lift, but there's already bulky stuff running here from the factory without a body lift. :
IMG_6988.JPG


View from the gas cap hole:

IMG_6991.JPG






Overall I'm really happy with it. If I were to make it again, I would put the 1/4-20 bolt holes in locations based on how easy they are to access with a drill. I kind of just chose at random, and some were a little awkward, even with a low profile drill. When I was in there drilling, I realized there were easier locations to drill that would have been just fine. Self tappers would work too, and probably be easier. Otherwise, it's a very simple bracket and could be made by someone with hand tools. I put a couple bends for strength, but I don't think it was necessary. I used 16g steel, which was probably about right. I bought a 50ft spool of 5/32 vacuum tubing, and ran completely new lines to my front and rear axles. I have plenty left over. There's a TON of room in this cavity on an LJ. I'm able to pass my bracket up through the bottom fully assembled with pumps and all. and there's still lots of room to spare. I even wonder if the pumps could be relocated here for a TJ with some creative bracketry, because there's a fair amount of room up there even on a TJ.
I hope this helps someone come up with something they like.
 
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I just popped the bottom flap on my 97 TJ and I think it could definitely be done up there too. This same bracket wouldn’t work, and You’d have to remove the filler neck temporarily and use the filler body hole quite a bit to get it installed. But I think with the right bracket there’s definitely enough room in there.