Air Compressor

I have viair portable compressor. Should I convert it to on board? Is that even possible? And get a tank for it?

or get the arb single with a tank?

the viair is 150 psi with a cfm of 2.3

the arb is 100 psi with cfm of 2.34

thanks.

 

Plenty of people add on board. Handy to have without remembering to pack it.

What do you need it for? That will help determine what one to get and if you need a tank too.
Air up tires? Friends tires too?
Pneumatic locking diff?
Air tools?

 

Tires for friends and I, and potentially a train horn in the near future.

 

ARB has a good video on this. My take away was their single compressor was enough to fill up 2 or 3 sets of aired down tires if you are patient.

If you want air tools, get a tank and the dual.

I don't know about the air horn tho.

https://youtu.be/Jmh90Q73UJ0

 

Suggestion: get the ViAir (cheaper) but make sure it is the "automatic". I got the "400P Automatic" and very happy with it. i rewired the unit itself to stuff it under the passenger seat. When I finally broke it open the wiring was a mess. I took out the small gauge wire and put in thicker then added a quick release electrical connector, ran it through a relay and used the Desert Does It mount. Very happy with the results!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/adding-air-compressor-under-seat-in-progress-done.738676/

 

That’s awesome. I already have the 300p. Not sure if it’s automatic or not.

 

I'm sure it isn't if it doesn't say automatic anywhere. I like it because it only runs when it needs to fill its internal tank, thus avoiding heat issues under the seat. Plus folks complain about the switches for various things only working for a year, and that's because they can't handle the full current through them, which is why I used a relay. Relays are cheap--everyone needs to use relays.

 

I just built a DIY on board air setup from a viair 450H and a 2.5gal tank I stuffed between the bed skin and bed liner (driver side just in front of the tail light, access the output by the factory cubby panel).
Do it!
Takes 45sec per tire to go from 18 to 32psi once I added the small tank. Best ~$300 I’ve spent on the truck yet.

Train horn is next, never wanted one before but why not now that I’ve got the OBA lol.

 

Haha yeah the kid in me wants the train horn too. Think my viair is enough? Can it be converted to oba ?

 

If you go with an inside the cab mount, the Viair should work fine. I have a 450P-A and remember reading that the design of the portables is different and it is not intended to survive the harsh climate of under hood mounting, (unlike the Viair C, H, and IG series).

 

Oh ok I see. Yeah I’ll just get an arb.

 

It is not automatic, but you can pretty easily make it automatic. You will need that if you want to go on-board or use better standard air fittings. Here's my thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/viair-automatic-mod-vam.680478/

Honestly though, I kinda like mine in a case. With just a bit of trimming, it fits nicely in a DeWalt case that levels the rear floor in my AC.

 

A tank would be very nice. I have been wondering how to mount a tank and keep the Viair portable.

 

I got a cheap little 9v one from autozone. It was like 15 bucks. These are so sweet tho. Mine is more of an emergency situation setup

 

If that's what you already have then run with it. I have the same one and I plan on setting it up when the weather warms up.

 

Buy once, cry once. ARB twin all the way. Not sure why anyone would run the single, when the twin is a couple hundred more. YMMV

 

hmmm ya I might do this.

 

I had a 300P and went ARB a while ago...worlds apart.

Also bear in mind that CFM ratings are not as similar as they appear...ARB rating is at 29 psi, while Viair is at 0 psi.

 

I installed the ARB single in the driver side bed cubby. Works great. Unless you get a BIG tank the compressor will run constantly when you're inflating anyway.

The advantage of the ARB is that it comes with the wiring harness, switch and pressure switch included in the kit.

-M

 

For me a 1/2 gallon fit real nice on the LH side there, if I did not have such crazy air horn a 1 gallon would have fit there nice.

Don't forget the ol' trick that tube bumpers and sliders can also be used as holding tanks.