What to Put in the Empty Spare Tire Well...

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Any thoughts/ideas of what should replace the spare tire well now that the tire is gone (roof mounted)?

I've been thinking of putting a second gas tank under there, like the ones Titan makes.

But I'm also thinking of pancake air compressor/tank...

Has anyone done anything unique with their empty spare tire well?

Gageraid · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:10 pm

I'd put a gas tank in there, but that's me.
You go off road more than me, so maybe another spare would be a good idea.

CollinKK · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 1:31 pm

I've thought of trying to increase the capacity of that cubby in the back if I ever move my spare.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 2:13 pm

ill as well be throwing my old spare out of there and be putting an air tank in its place for a real train horn. I trashed mine last month when they were submerged in muddy watter. I sound like a prius when they go off. I don't go off road enough, so ill throw the correct spare in the trunk and bungee it down some how. I was thinking about an extra fuel cell, but that's such a hassle. custom brackets, custom tubing, pump, and wiring.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

I've been tinkering with what to do down there as well. I recently purchased the Viair 45055 compressor Set, and am considering mounting a 3 - 5 gallon air compressor down there. I will mount the compressor in the rear hatch where the stock jack goes, so that is is out of the way and can be covered. Depending on how well I like the compressor, running an air tank will enable air tools to be used on the trail.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 4:22 pm

I was going to go with a 5 gal water tank there as well for cleaning the brake pads out after going through "puddles". both the pump and compressor would be by the air intake box. I will have valve coming off to the drivers side bumper in the back and have them tucked up under the body. and the water tank id might be coming sooner then I expected.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Gageraid wrote:

I'd put a gas tank in there, but that's me.
You go off road more than me, so maybe another spare would be a good idea.

As much as I like the idea of an extra gas tank, it's in a very precarious position for rocks and such when off roading because of our big KK butts haha.

Texasrugby911 wrote:

I've been tinkering with what to do down there as well. I recently purchased the Viair 45055 compressor Set, and am considering mounting a 3 - 5 gallon air compressor down there. I will mount the compressor in the rear hatch where the stock jack goes, so that it is out of the way and can be covered. Depending on how well I like the compressor, running an air tank will enable air tools to be used on the trail.

The more I think about it, the more I am leaning towards the air compressor, because I have yet to get one for my garage haha.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 6:16 pm

I assume you don't do much overlanding/camping with the KK. If you did, a water tank and water pump would work well there.

Aux gas tank would be cool/different. But would you really need it?

My vote is for an air tank. You'll probably get a ton of use out of it. Flip the switch as you're coming off the trail and the tank is full when it comes time to air your tires up.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Bmxer524 wrote:

I assume you don't do much overlanding/camping with the KK. If you did, a water tank and water pump would work well there.

Aux gas tank would be cool/different. But would you really need it?

My vote is for an air tank. You'll probably get a ton of use out of it. Flip the switch as you're coming off the trail and the tank is full when it comes time to air your tires up.

I'd love to pack a water tank in there, but I really don't camp enough for it.

I got to look and see what's out there.for.air.compressors...

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 05, 2015 7:14 pm

ARB and Viar are quality, but they're also expensive. I know most run ARB for on board air, and Viar makes a kit for it.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

Viair has an enormous selection for compressors, whereas ARB has a select few. It should also be noted that Viair is mainly an air compressor company. The Kit I bought is the higher end of the spectrum, but after the air compressor compare in the latest Overland Journal, I was sold. I had a smaller crappy smitty pump mounted before, it was nice to air up after runs on my own but that system was pretty sorry. Generally speaking most air compressors can air up tires no problem. You'll want to start looking into an air tank when you want to power tools or reset beads. I would highly recommend picking up that issue of Overland (Gear 2015) for a ton of indepth and valuable information about air compressors on the trail.

JeepMorrison · **Joined:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 11:34 am **Posts:** 1236

I have had Viair and really liked it alot. But im gonna go with the Puma this round. It puts out a bit more CFM than the viair and its a all in one package.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Well, I know which air compressor I wish to put in there. I want to put a Viair Constant Duty On-Board Air Compressor/Tank: http://www.viaircorp.com/oba-constant.html#tabs-1

This one will allow me to use air tools and use them on a more consistent basis. The lower models can only run for 20min before needing a 30min break. This one can go for an hour before resting a bit.

Viair's website also has the answer to an question I could have regarding this product too. They have the dimension, wiring, and plumbing diagrams for each specific models so you can plan everything before you even get it!

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Fri Feb 06, 2015 8:32 am

the main reason for a water tank would be to clean out the roters and brake pads for me. a few situations, mud and its grit got in there and sounded nasty and all I had was a water bottle and a knife. some how it worked. the water tank would be a very inexpensive upgrade. find a pancake box, put it on the roof for gravity feed, or else where with a pump.

Gageraid · **Posted:** Fri Feb 06, 2015 11:56 am

18 mpg multiplied by 5 gallons of gas would be an extra 90 miles per tank. That should be enough to get back home to a gas station if you're far away.
The idea of an air horn is cool as well.

PALiftedKK · **Posted:** Fri Feb 06, 2015 1:54 pm

there has to be someone on this forum with a kj or kk with an air horn!

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Did some measurements and the wheel well is 36" from hitch sidewall to hitch sidewall, and 31" from where the heat shield is to the back of the hitch. So an air compressor and maybe an upgraded size tank haha.

Bmxer524 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 06, 2015 5:15 pm

Or mount the compressor in the engine bay and run plumbing to the tank. Might be better to keep the compressor out of harms way.

NAMoulton1 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1054

Bmxer524 wrote:

Or mount the compressor in the engine bay and run plumbing to the tank. Might be better to keep the compressor out of harms way.

I was planning on actually using some 3/16" sheet and make a platform off the hitch side mounts to protect the compressor and tank haha.

Texasrugby911 · **Joined:** Thu Feb 04, 2010 3:18 pm **Posts:** 196

NAMoulton1 wrote:

Well, I know which air compressor I wish to put in there. I want to put a Viair Constant Duty On-Board Air Compressor/Tank: http://www.viaircorp.com/oba-constant.html#tabs-1

This one will allow me to use air tools and use them on a more consistent basis. The lower models can only run for 20min before needing a 30min break. This one can go for an hour before resting a bit.

Viair's website also has the answer to an question I could have regarding this product too. They have the dimension, wiring, and plumbing diagrams for each specific models so you can plan everything before you even get it!

Here is the kit I got:http://www.viaircorp.com/ada-constant-universal.html
It is 100% duty cycle and is made to run indefinitely at 100 PSI. The only thing that kit is lacking is an air tank and the lines, but that can be bought elsewhere for relatively cheap.

What to Put in the Empty Spare Tire Well...

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