DV8 In-Floor Cargo Box with Compressor Mount - off road use?

[jclark]

I am considering getting the DV8 in-floor cargo box that replaces the OEM storage area and accommodates mounting a dual ARB compressor. I've combed through oodles of posts and have some specific questions I wasn't finding feedback on -

RE Water Crossings and Water Penetration
I'm known to find a few water holes, water crossings and all out mud on some off road adventures. How does the rubber mat around the compressor mounting area and the wiring gromets hold up to this type of exposure/use? Any issues with water or road dust getting into the compartment?

RE Compressor Use/Heat
I don't plan on trying to get access to this compartment when needing to use the compressor - I'm usually hauling all kinds of gear in the back when I'm offroading. I plan on relocating the air chuck and power switch to the rear side wall in my cargo area. That means I'm running the compressor to air up with the storage lid closed and stuff on top of the lid. Has anyone done the same and did you have any heat issues in that closed storage bin when running the compressor?

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[B22-2023]

There have been a few discussions about this including one very recently - I have the DV8 box, not installed yet, and haven’t heard any users here speak of heating problems running the ARB Dual, airing up for 5-10 minutes at a time. It has thermal protection built in. I run another under the hood of a different vehicle, and in summer the compressor starts out red hot before airing up - no problems.

As for water, that box is mounted pretty high up there, so unless you were submerged for a while……. maybe you’d apply a little extra sealant on the edges and at the grommet fittings for extra protection.

 

[SierraBronco]

Max temp we’ve seen (when checking) after airing up 4 forties was about 209F on the outlet. This is still in the factory box though, so a lot less air than the the DV8 box, but it’s under a toolbox with a sliding drawer and deck. We also routed the intake outside the box by drilling through the sides, connecting both intakes together outside the box to further lower resistance, and routing the intakes back up into the cabin behind the panels so they’re drawing in cool, clean air rather than the hot air inside the storage area. Can’t tell you if that makes a difference or not but in theory it should help with efficiency of the compressor.

 

[B22-2023]

routing the intakes back up into the cabin behind the panels so they’re drawing in cool, clean air rather than the hot air inside the storage area.

My compressor is currently mounted outside, and I‘ll add that I also did this intake routing for the same reason - AirCon air vs. TX/SW outdoor summer air is way easier on the equipment. When I move ARB to the box I’ll keep that same routing.

 

[jclark]

There have been a few discussions about this including one very recently - I have the DV8 box, not installed yet, and haven’t heard any users here speak of heating problems running the ARB Dual, airing up for 5-10 minutes at a time. It has thermal protection built in. I run another under the hood of a different vehicle, and in summer the compressor starts out red hot before airing up - no problems.

As for water, that box is mounted pretty high up there, so unless you were submerged for a while……. maybe you’d apply a little extra sealant on the edges and at the grommet fittings for extra protection.

thanks - that was a thread I actually hadn't read in my research.

 

[B22-2023]

I put my DV8 box in today; I don’t think I’ll be moving my compressor here soon because the storage space is just too darn useful. Either way, on the question of water intrusion, it‘s high up and the rear of the truck would have to be well submerged; there appear to be breathing vents on the bottom of the box where the compressor mounts to that I had not seen before. But if water came in that way, it would drain right out and the ARB can take a splash.

 

[jclark]

Revisiting this - I have the DV8 cargo area in floor storage box. Although I have the option to support the air compressor, I'm only using it for storage. I was on some pretty dusty trails this weekend and when I was re-arranging some items in that storage area, noticed that I have a coating of dust on the contents.

Has anyone come up with a way to keep dust from penetrating that area?

 

[CalvinT]

Revisiting this - I have the DV8 cargo area in floor storage box. Although I have the option to support the air compressor, I'm only using it for storage. I was on some pretty dusty trails this weekend and when I was re-arranging some items in that storage area, noticed that I have a coating of dust on the contents.

Has anyone come up with a way to keep dust from penetrating that area?

How much dust was inside the rest of your Bronco? Also was there dust where the jack is stored? Asking because I'm wondering what path the dust took.

 

[jclark]

How much dust was inside the rest of your Bronco? Also was there dust where the jack is stored? Asking because I'm wondering what path the dust took.

The dust was pretty isolated to that cargo area and appears to have made its way in gaps to where the bottom bin meets the underside of the plate and cargo floor. I did not have dust around the OEM jack location in the floor.

I was running with top on (hard top), windows up, doors on and cabin air on recirculate.

I also have the cargo "floor" with the lift top in the vehicle and the Ford OEM rubber cargo mat on top of that, and for this trip, cargo boxes and a fridge sitting on top of that - so there's very little option of dust getting into that in floor bin without having come in from below.

I've also done similar trails and dust conditions in my Badlands previously and OEM storage box - also with the rubber cargo area Ford mat, and never had dust in either in floor storage areas.

I've reached out to DV8 - but I think the fix will be to drop the bin, apply a gasket material, and re-install.

 

[CalvinT]

The dust was pretty isolated to that cargo area and appears to have made its way in gaps to where the bottom bin meets the underside of the plate and cargo floor. I did not have dust around the OEM jack location in the floor.

I was running with top on (hard top), windows up, doors on and cabin air on recirculate.

I also have the cargo "floor" with the lift top in the vehicle and the Ford OEM rubber cargo mat on top of that, and for this trip, cargo boxes and a fridge sitting on top of that - so there's very little option of dust getting into that in floor bin without having come in from below.

I've also done similar trails and dust conditions in my Badlands previously and OEM storage box - also with the rubber cargo area Ford mat, and never had dust in either in floor storage areas.

I've reached out to DV8 - but I think the fix will be to drop the bin, apply a gasket material, and re-install.

That's what I was thinking, but needed confirmation. I don't remember any weather stripping around the trap doors to the OEM compartments and have never seen any dust in them. So it must be COMING FROM BELOW. If there isn't a movie by that name, there should be.

 

[B22-2023]

The dust was pretty isolated to that cargo area and appears to have made its way in gaps to where the bottom bin meets the underside of the plate and cargo floor. I did not have dust around the OEM jack location in the floor.

I was running with top on (hard top), windows up, doors on and cabin air on recirculate.

I also have the cargo "floor" with the lift top in the vehicle and the Ford OEM rubber cargo mat on top of that, and for this trip, cargo boxes and a fridge sitting on top of that - so there's very little option of dust getting into that in floor bin without having come in from below.

I've also done similar trails and dust conditions in my Badlands previously and OEM storage box - also with the rubber cargo area Ford mat, and never had dust in either in floor storage areas.

I've reached out to DV8 - but I think the fix will be to drop the bin, apply a gasket material, and re-install.

I checked mine today and agree that gasket material is the answer; I have SoundSkin floors and the DV8 box lip is secured down to that - acts like a gasket. No dust in the box after a few hundred local, highway, and dusty trail miles.

 

[jclark]

I checked mine today and agree that gasket material is the answer; I have SoundSkin floors and the DV8 box lip is secured down to that - acts like a gasket. No dust in the box after a few hundred local, highway, and dusty trail miles.

Can you tell me a little more about the SoundSkin in the cargo area - I didn't see that on their website.

 

[B22-2023]

Can you tell me a little more about the SoundSkin in the cargo area - I didn't see that on their website.

It’s just like dynamat or other sound deadening sheets, had nothing to do with the DV8 install.

 

[jclark]

It’s just like dynamat or other sound deadening sheets, had nothing to do with the DV8 install.

That's what I thought - but was looking to better understand where it covers/installs. If it just sits on top of the metal car body, and thus under the top plate of the DV8 box - I wasn't sure how it was addressing the gap between the top of the lower box and underside of the plate and car body.

I'm envisioning needing to add an adhesive gasket or foam type material to the underside of the plate and body along the perimeter of where the lower box lines up when secured. I also considered an "edge" gasket along the top edge of the lower bin, but some sections are the end and other sections are flat - so it would need a combination of materials if I secured to the box before installing.

 

[B22-2023]

That's what I thought - but was looking to better understand where it covers/installs. If it just sits on top of the metal car body, and thus under the top plate of the DV8 box - I wasn't sure how it was addressing the gap between the top of the lower box and underside of the plate and car body.

I'm envisioning needing to add an adhesive gasket or foam type material to the underside of the plate and body along the perimeter of where the lower box lines up when secured. I also considered an "edge" gasket along the top edge of the lower bin, but some sections are the end and other sections are flat - so it would need a combination of materials if I secured to the box before installing.

I understand your question. Unfortunately we don’t have the same issue, good luck.

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