airing down questions

I know this probably isnt an option but if you have air conditioning in your truck you can convert it to become a air compressor capable of 120-150psi and with a 5 gal storage tank able to run air tools

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/engine/154-1207-homemade-engine-driven-onboard-air-system/

 

Trust me. I put it off for a long time because of that. I used someone’s at one point. Granted up until I’d use a stick or small rock and a tire gauge. So that might have something do with how impressed I was.

 

Nah, hit the tire with your air compressor and pull the tire to the side of the lost bead. It will catch and the bead will reseat at about 30-40 psi. If you have high pressure air (co2), reseating a bead is easier. No need for a spare unless you puncture a tire.

 

I have a $35 smittybilt rapid deflator and a $30 harbor freight compressor that hooks the 12v outlet. The compressor is slow and I don’t think it would pump a tire bigger than a 31 but it gets the job done.

 

I meant this thing: https://www.metaltech4x4.com/indeflate-tire-deflator-inflator/

 

Also, need to be careful if you are getting a cheap compressor, as a lot of them have really poor duty cycle, and will result in upwards of an hour to bring all four tires up to pressure depending on how low you deflate them. For example, some cheaper compressors have like a 10-15 minutes on, 10-15 minutes off duty cycle, meaning you can inflate maybe one tire in 20-30 minutes.

 

No way in hell am I running that high of PSI to set a bead. That PSI exceeds some tire ratings to include my own and the fastest way to an injury.

But I agree attempted inflation could do the trick, gotta love OBA. Admittedly it took like 5psi to set my beads.

 

Oooh I should pay attention. That is actually prettt cool.

 

Why spend the money on a deflator? You get a inflator with a gauge and leave it disconnected from the air. Press the handle in to drop PSI and then let off and it will give you a reading. Continue until desired PSI.

Unless you wanna look sweet because ou have all these gadgets and like blowing money on stupid stuff...

 

Hey @MelonPitch now that you know what compressor you want to buy for inflation, let’s talk about those Wrangler tires of yours... are you going to be driving with them on beach sand or rocks?

 

I just use starting fluid on the tire bead much easier to reset the bead

 

Yeah, I could see how it would be awesome for deflating, but not totally sold on inflation benefit. I'm actually not sure whether my dual compressor is limited by the throughput of the single hose, so maybe it would actually work...lot of money for a setup though!

 

I've been looking into a power tank. I'm just trying to find a spot to mount it. A lot faster than a compressor, and you don't have to worry about it failing on you with your tires at 15 psi, but you have to refill periodically.

 

I stopped rock crawling in 1999 and all we used for onboard air was converted AC compressors to air up tires if a tire popped a bead it was quickly reseated using starting fluid

 

I could be off on the pressure to seat the bead, however I highly doubtful 40 pounds will exceed any manufacturer rating. Once the bead is set, reduce the pressure before driving on it. Either way, whatever pressure is required for you to seat the bead is the same pressure the guys at the tire shop will need to set the bead. Only difference is they use a lube when they seat the bead. People have been seating beads on the trail for years without issues, I have done it as well.

As for pressures, I have been wheeling at about 10-12 psi for several years and only recently lost a bead. I think I would have lost that bead even at 15 psi as well.

 

40psi?

Removing the valve core makes it a hell of a lot faster going from 30 to15.

 

I like the cinch strap rebeading method, used it successfully twice on friends’ trucks.

 

@MelonPitch - I was serious about that question about tires though, if you are airing down on sand that’s fine, but several of us here have had flats running the stock Kevlars on rocky roads that were not that bad, even two on the same trip like me, just a suggestion that maybe you should get better tires if doing that before thinking about airing the Wranglers down. I wouldn’t worry about it if beach driving, though- they will be fine for that.

 

Think it would be a mix, I believe most of the trails closest to me are on the sandy side.

 

You can do that as well, but that’s an extra tool to carry doing it with the inflator doesn’t take that much longer. And no risk of potentially losing one and being screwed in the middle of no where if you don’t have another. Although I guess you could take the one out of your spare if needed.