danno Posted July 28, 2011 Share Posted July 28, 2011 I had an idea to operate my d30 CAD. Wanted to keep the disconnect part so I could say I have 4low. Not that I will ever use it though... :nuts: I like the cable operated idea but wanted to try something new. :wrench: I fix dental equipment for a living and a lot of the systems I deal with are pneumatically controlled. I decided to use a 3 way (venting) air switch to apply vacuum to the CAD diaphragm Air (or in this case vacuum) is routed to the rear port and is sent to the side port when the switch is moved to on. The source vacuum at the rear port is then blocked and the applied vacuum at the side port is relieved when the switch is moved to off. The relieving feature is what makes this a "3 way" switch and is needed to allow the diaphragm to return to the "disconnected" position when switched off. I followed the cable operated writeup and used a cut down spring I had lying around to return the fork to the disconnected position. Here is a link to a vid of it in action. I will install tomorrow and see how it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted July 31, 2011 Author Share Posted July 31, 2011 So it works pretty good! Its a little slow to return with just the spring providing pressure. I was afraid of that. If I am not careful it will get stuck slightly engaged and I can hear the splines grind a little :ack: I am going to try and find a exhausting selector switch that will send a vacuum signal to one of two ports and exhaust the other so the diaphragm will be powering both in and out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hick92 Posted August 5, 2011 Share Posted August 5, 2011 antidisestablishmentarianism if you use a slightly stiffer spring Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirteatr717 Posted August 6, 2011 Share Posted August 6, 2011 That's a pretty cool idea! If you get it working good mind letting us know where to get the stuff to do it :brows: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 So I found a switch that will work but the hose barbs are for 1/16 ID hose :fs1: and I think that is way to small to function properly. I think I will try the stiffer spring idea. I tried different lengths of the spring I had and settled on an inch section because any longer and it wouldn't let the fork travel far enough for my liking. I'm going to hit the trails this evening with some friends so we'll see how it performs as is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 Oh and I think I might be able to get the parts through my work account :thumbsup: This switch runs about $16 IIRC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Got a chance to test it out on a trail for about 5 hours. Seems the switch leaks internally as every time I shut the truck off for longer than 5 minutes the CAD would disengage. I bypassed the switch by routing vacuum directly to the apply side of the diaphragm and it stopped disengaging on shutoff. Not sure where to go from here, I might try another switch? Will keep this updated as I try other ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted August 11, 2011 Share Posted August 11, 2011 been doing this for a couple years in my '87...i'm a semi mechanic, so pneumatic switches are plentiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 11, 2011 Author Share Posted August 11, 2011 Interesting. What kind of switch are you using? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeepcoMJ Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 a simple "3 way" vented toggle. i'll see if I can drag up some pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 13, 2011 Author Share Posted August 13, 2011 That would be awesome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted August 27, 2011 Author Share Posted August 27, 2011 Bump. Got those pics Jeepco? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bounty Hunter Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 Did the same thing on my YJ but used a switch from a SJ with the Quadratrac 4wd system. It's a simple lever switch designed for use with vacuum, switching a source vacuum between 2 lines. Perfect for this setup, no dissassembly or added springs to the disconnect housing needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted August 30, 2011 Share Posted August 30, 2011 I'm doing the same thing using an air switch from a peterbilt. I did the spring like you did, I just haven't had time to install. I'll do it in the next month or two (before winter). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted September 1, 2011 Author Share Posted September 1, 2011 Can someone post up a pic of the switch they use and where to get one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bounty Hunter Posted September 1, 2011 Share Posted September 1, 2011 Here's one similar to what I used from a Grand Wagoneer with Quadratrac 4wd. It can be found in either a dial as shown or a lever similar to a HVAC fan speed lever. I used the lever and mounted it below my dash, nice 'woosh' sound when disengaging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dasbulliwagen Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 There are a couple of versions of this switch. You can see the three vac lines at the back of it and wires for backlighting. This switch will aplly vac in both directions depending upon switch position. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1984-jee ... 0006035636 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 I'll post a pic of the switch I'm using tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 Dude, you guys are awesome! :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 The switch has a electrical on/off switch in it for a light also. However, I think what is really the best option is to put a momentary button in the cad housing, so a light illuminates when the fork physically slides over, not just when you throw the switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danno Posted September 8, 2011 Author Share Posted September 8, 2011 And I thought I had an original idea :fs1: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted September 8, 2011 Share Posted September 8, 2011 Lol, so did I. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bounty Hunter Posted September 9, 2011 Share Posted September 9, 2011 I use to run the switch dasbulliwagon posted, worked great and an easy install. I run a cable now, on my spooled disco d44 I ran a lincoln locker on my d30, controlling the disco manually makes a great poor-mans selectable locker lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted November 23, 2011 Share Posted November 23, 2011 I'm hoping to install my setup tomorrow. Has anyone else gone through with it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Car RamRod Posted November 24, 2011 Share Posted November 24, 2011 Ok I finally installed my air switch. Everything seems to be working great. Here's a few pics: I had planned to install a vacuum gauge also, but I started getting agitated with the cheap autometer line getting pinched, and then it didn't fit well on the other side of the column from where the toggle is so I left it out. I'm going to get a smaller vacuum gauge and a ballast tank and install them when I get a chance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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