Air hose plug-in connector

[rustystud]

This was a fun little project I did today. I have a bunch of the air valves for the air hose that normally mounts on the firewall on the passengers side in the cab from several deuces I have parted out. I cleaned them up, replaced the springs, used lapping compound to reseat the valves and then used stainless steel washers and cotter-ins. I decided to mount one on the left front bumper and another on the right rear light mount near the emergency hose connection. I used 3/8" DOT poly hose to connect to the air tank. Now I can use my air tools from the front or rear of the deuce. Now I know a lot of guys have made-up an adapter that fits into the emergency connector, and I'm sure that is fine. But being a mechanic and having to use the shop truck I know "adapters" get lost and then your stuck trying to find someway to get that bolt loose without your impact gun.
This way all I need is the hose (which would be hard to lose ! ) and my air-gun and I'm golden ! I could have used some "modern" valves but the old military ones are made from real high quality brass not like this new junk made in China that you get at the Home Depot. Plus the old valves have mounting pads and right angles so they can be mounted out of the way and I already had them !

 

[wreckerman893]

Pretty slick.

 

[rustystud]

This is my adapter I already had made up before my little project, but I wanted something simpler and something I wouldn't lose. So I made up the air connectors on each end of the truck.

 

[Carl_in_NH]

I solved the problem by making two of the adapters - I can lose one and keep going

 

[dmetalmiki]

I run accessories with a long hose from the in cab valve anyway. But nice (tidy) modification.

 

[firefinder]

Nice work rustystud!

I have been do doing something similar on my F250 utility bed. I planned to put something similar on my MTV. The MTV just arrived today and appears to have an air reel installed already.



Another nice touch I found today was rubber crutch tips fit the air coupler and make a great dust cap. The consistency of the crutch tip rubber is much denser than vinyl and I hope will last longer. The 1-1/8" crutch tip fits the Type F female air coupler. The 7/8" crutch tip fits the Type D female air coupler.



Stay safe and stay in touch,

firefinder

 

[rustystud]

I run accessories with a long hose from the in cab valve anyway. But nice (tidy) modification.

I could have just used the in-cab one, but when it's cold and raining I don't want to have to have the side door open to run my air hose. I like to keep my cab nice and warm for my old aching bones ! That's one reason I went with dual in cab heaters !

 

[rustystud]

Nice work rustystud!

I have been do doing something similar on my F250 utility bed. I planned to put something similar on my MTV. The MTV just arrived today and appears to have an air reel installed already.

View attachment 644133

Another nice touch I found today was rubber crutch tips fit the air coupler and make a great dust cap. The consistency of the crutch tip rubber is much denser than vinyl and I hope will last longer. The 1-1/8" crutch tip fits the Type F female air coupler. The 7/8" crutch tip fits the Type D female air coupler.

View attachment 644135

Stay safe and stay in touch,

firefinder

That is a cool feature the MTV has ! A built in hose reel ! I like it !!!

 

[rustystud]

I solved the problem by making two of the adapters - I can lose one and keep going

Another reason I don't like using the adapter is what if I'm towing my M105 trailer ? I will have to disconnect the emergency line, use the adapter (if I can find it) , fix the problem and then make sure everything is put back together. To many times when your doing a roadside repair your in a stressed mood and hurrying to get the job done and back on the road. Things have a tendency to get overlooked like reconnecting the emergency line to the trailer. Remember you have to turn off the air before you can connect the adapter up and that can get overlooked also. I remember many conversions in the wrecker after connecting up to a bus and hauling it back to base. They kind of went like this; " did you remember to connect the emergency air supply ? " and the response was " I thought you did it ? " . By making things simple like having the connections outside like I did I eliminate many potential problems. As I'm getting older and more forgetful I have found simpler to be better !