Installing Air Force One

[footdoc]

Just got one for my 05 Pilot...
I plan on doing the install myself..I have average mechanical skills..Installed my Brakemaster with no problems...
What is the hardest part of the AFO install? I thought all I needed to do was connect to my existing air terminal I installed on the rear of the coach, but apparently not...my connection comes directly off the service brake port on the manifold...
Thanks for any input and suggestions..

[wagon217]

For me it was less of a headache to have mine installed.

Really like the Air Force One system.

Good Luck!

[SSteve]

I have one I plan to install as well.

Looking over the instructions, it looks to me there will be two major challenges:
1. Installing the air reservoir under the coach and...

2. Twisting myself under the dash of the toad to screw the brake actuator anchor to the firewall.

Everything else looks straight forward (famous last words).

Before I bought it, I asked this forum about the manufacturer. Everyone responding said SMI would be there to help me through any difficulties.

Steve

[TheJazzMan]

Well, now there are three of us with an AFO install in progress. I installed the towbar baseplate on my '08 Wrangler 2-door last night and plan to start installing AFO and/or the CoolTech harness today.

[BobGuy]

Make that 4 of us, I just finished the towd part of the install yesterday. It took about 5 hours and the hardest part I found was finding a location for the conrtol unit. Tomorrow I will tackle the coach part of the install.
The tech support at SMI is first rate.
I'm installing it on a 2004 GMC Envoy. By the way, does anyone have a suggestion on turn signal lights.

Bob

[tmar10]

We must all be looking for winter projects...I am number 5. Mine will have to wait until spring because of a scheduled appointment with a hand surgeon on the 17th. I will keep checking in to see how the installs are going.

[TheJazzMan]

I guess SMI is doing well with their AFO product. So far, I've installed the breakaway switch, the front air connection and the rest of the equipment that goes under the hood. In the next couple of days (when it warms up - it's currently 18 degrees outside), I'll install the pedal actuator cylinder and the brake-light wire. The coach-side install will have to wait until I pick up my new coach in January at the Newmar factory.

The most difficult part has been the the modifications I had to make to the brackets that go on the bumper to hold the breakaway switch and the air connection. I had to cut an angled piece of starboard to go under the breakaway switch so that it would be level and clear the bumper. I had to make a completely new air connection bracket because I couldn't drill holes in the bumper in a place where the air connection would have been accessable. The part that I was dreading - cutting the vacuum line and installing the tee/check valve - was a snap.

[Don G]

I installed my system last March. The only problem I experienced since then was the brass nipple that connects the air tank to the valve assembly cracked and started to leak air. I replaced it with a steel nipple. I think the problem was the bracket that mounts the tank leaves the valve assembley hanging and only supported by that tiny brass nipple. I would replace it with a steel fitting now.

[BobGuy]

Have just finished installation of the Air Force One and I must say, I like it much better than the M&G brake. Put it on my 2004 Envoy and it works great.

Bob

[SEMO Mike]

I am curious why you like it better than the M&G brake.

[BobGuy]

Mike,
Couple of things I liked:
Valve and aux. tank mounted on the MH addng additional saftey if I have a line break.
AF One comes standard with a break-a-way system, it was na option on the M&G and a tech there said he didn't like it and wouldn't recommend it.
Brake monitor light mounted on grill comfrims brake is being applied.
After hookup testing is easy as you can see the brake move with the MH's brake.
You don't need to mess with the master cylinder.

Hope this helps.
Bob