On-board/garage air options

dog_party · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:12 pm

I'm looking for a small air-compressor that I can use on-board, and in the garage for small jobs. I haven't even started shopping yet. Anyone have any suggestions?

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:16 pm

ARB to power your upcoming lockers and give you on board air.

dog_party · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 4:57 pm

I like the forward thinking on the lockers, but the High Output ARB compressor only puts out 2.18 CFM @29PSI. That would run lockers, a brad nailer, and maybe a 3/8" impact wrench, but not much else. I'd like something that'll run...I think...at least 4 CFM @ 40PSI. Maybe that's not possible with something that is considered "portable" enough to take on the trail. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out before buying something.

JPaul · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:12 pm

A York setup will do that, but that will require a lot of fabbing to get it to mount onto the engine.

I don't know of any onboard electric air compressors that will be up to the job, heck, a lot of garage compressors don't even put out that much.

WoodysKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 5:39 pm

ARB has at least two different models. One specificlly designed to power the lockers and another designed to do both and it is electric. You are not going to be able to run an impact wrench with any small electric one just air up ur tires.

pixeldzn · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:22 pm

JPaul wrote:

A York setup will do that, but that will require a lot of fabbing to get it to mount onto the engine.

I don't think a York would fit in a KJ engine bay. I am about to install one in my Rubi and it's large. There is a lot of room in the engine bay of a TJ compared to a KJ. Remember you have to be able to position it in the belt path so that it can become one of the belt driven items.

I'd look at a Viair system or something that will allow you to mount a reservoir tank. That's where a compressor with lower CFM can work to run some air tools and what not.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 6:41 pm

Go CO2
that is what I have and LOVE it
I have a 20 and 2 5#ers
I bring the 20 on long trips and use it around the house
I use the 5's for "day trips"
a single 5 will air up 12 tires from 15 to 30 psi
it will also do an OK job if you need to change a flat with an impact out on the trail

now if all you want to do is air up tires then any of the middle of the road compressors will do the job
but 90% of the electric compressors are not up to the task of air tools
and by the time you buy a compressor and set it up to run air tools you can buy 2 10# CO2 setups
or buy 1 and fill it 10 times ,about $10-$15 to get a 10# CO2 filled
go to off road air .com or some thing like that about $200 or so for a complete set up

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:50 pm

pixeldzn wrote:

JPaul wrote:

A York setup will do that, but that will require a lot of fabbing to get it to mount onto the engine.

I don't think a York would fit in a KJ engine bay. I am about to install one in my Rubi and it's large. There is a lot of room in the engine bay of a TJ compared to a KJ. Remember you have to be able to position it in the belt path so that it can become one of the belt driven items.

I'd look at a Viair system or something that will allow you to mount a reservoir tank. That's where a compressor with lower CFM can work to run some air tools and what not.

There is alot more room in a TJ's engine bay. So much that a V-10 engine can fit in it. :shock:

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 7:54 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

pixeldzn wrote:

JPaul wrote:

A York setup will do that, but that will require a lot of fabbing to get it to mount onto the engine.

I don't think a York would fit in a KJ engine bay. I am about to install one in my Rubi and it's large. There is a lot of room in the engine bay of a TJ compared to a KJ. Remember you have to be able to position it in the belt path so that it can become one of the belt driven items.

I'd look at a Viair system or something that will allow you to mount a reservoir tank. That's where a compressor with lower CFM can work to run some air tools and what not.

There is alot more room in a TJ's engine bay. So much that a V-10 engine can fit in it. :shock:

Not that it should or anything.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:54 pm

X2 on the CO2 airtank,PowerTank is the best.I know they are pricy but your paying for the regulator and they are the best,they can flow over 33cfm at over 200psi,and take awhile to freeze up compared to the "beverage" type regulators others have adapted to work trying to save a buck.Granted the CO2 won't last long using a impact so the 20lbs tank is prefered.Cheap to refill,about $15 for the 10lbs tank(most places).

AbsoluteRenegade · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 10:19 pm

I personally made a 20lb co2 setup I recently sold for 250 beans, didn't like lugging the heavy thing around, but worked great for airing up tires and for my impact gun for putting on my lift. Recently bought a quickair II from someone on here, 75 after shipping, A GREAT deal. I hard mounted it under the back seat, driver side and added a removeable tank, good for long jobs, running impact guns and even my nailer but I can use the compressor as a standalone and air up tires.alot easier hooking it up then lugging the tank. thats my advice.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Thu Jan 10, 2008 11:56 pm

why not get a cheap on board, if u not getting air lockers that is, like the ones at auto zone for like 30 or 40 bucks will work to air up tires. i know a few that have it and like it for just that. and then get a good compressor for the garage?? maybe u want to be able to do both on the trail then this wouldnt work for u but i figured it was an idea and u could have the best of both world.. thats what i plan to do soon since i have a nice compresspor in my garage. at least till i get ARB lockers in the front.

AbsoluteRenegade · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:03 pm

dloc_jeep_KJ wrote:

why not get a cheap on board, if u not getting air lockers that is, like the ones at auto zone for like 30 or 40 bucks will work to air up tires. i know a few that have it and like it for just that. and then get a good compressor for the garage?? maybe u want to be able to do both on the trail then this wouldnt work for u but i figured it was an idea and u could have the best of both world.. thats what i plan to do soon since i have a nice compresspor in my garage. at least till i get ARB lockers in the front.

I took when he said "in the garage for small jobs" as tool usage, so the cheapos wouldnt really work, but maybe he meant bike tires, not sure, but the QUICKAIR brand is Saweet. Also, its a little better then the VLAIR as the pressure sensors goes on at a lower psi and higher psi allowing you to get more out of the compressor's tank before kick on. ARB on the other hand, they can stick with small lockers, I wouldnt call them everyday use compressors, esp since the price is quite high, I plan on using my rear locker with my tank in the next comming months.

tommudd · **Posted:** Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:09 pm

Feb. 2005 issue of 4 Wheel Drive and SU magazine had a great article on compressors and they tested MaxAir 4.0 Portable/ Sun Performance Quick Air 3 / VIAIR Corp 400P / also Hyper Tank / Powertank/ Sourceforce / and Ultimate Air and a hard mounted one Oasis Off Road HP1000

all performed about the same airing up tires with the CO2s a little faster, but most all could run small tools to a limit, thats the way I would go or the Oasis HP1000 although it weighs 45 lbs!

On-board/garage air options

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