On Board Air Compressor Setup?

Thinking tomorrow I'm going to buy and put one on my truck. Usually just borrow a friends at the trail head to refill tires but tired of always bumming.

So what is the best bang for the buck air compressors out there for quickly refilling tires, not planning on using it to run tools or anything?

Where did you mount yours? (I'm thinking about mounting it on passenger side fender inside the engine compartment)

What other accessories did you get?

Any pics?

 

I got the

$323 ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

ARB CKMA12 compressor. I got the tire inflation kit (170302) with it.

Here is my setup that I did:

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...23s-nothing-special-build-12.html#post9544019

 

I have a Master Flow MF-1050. I have it mounted in the bed storage box, with a small bit of manipulation and hardware for the air hookups to make it compatible for standard adapters. Its continuous flow and does not have a tank but I am able to fill up a 32 inch tire in a few minutes. Additionally the hose I got reaches to the furthest front tire fairly easy. I suggest doing the research your self for your needs but this one has been great for mine, which isn't much, but gets the job done. I will post some pics of it as soon as I get my truck back. Good Luck!

 

The Master Flow seems to be around a third of the price of the ARB. Is there a real justification in the price of the ARB quality and output or are you just paying for the name?

 

I have a plan for air lockers. With the

$323 CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

CKMA12, you can air up and run front and rear air lockers as well. That was the selling point for me. Guess it depends where you see your build going. Buy once, cry once. And do it right the first time.

 

ARB is better equipment all around. But if you only use the compressor occasionally then the cheaper alternative should last a long time. Years maybe. That's how I justify a cheap compressor anyhow.

BTW, things like compressors (especially cheap compressor) hate heat. Under the hood would be my last choice for a mounting location.

 

I've seen where guys have mounted them in the little storage box in the be of their trucks. Seemed like quite a bit more work to have to run power all the way back there. Figured under the hood would be a simple and easy job.

Is under the hood really going to be that bad? I typically only do trails that require airing down a hand full of times a year. Probably only going to be using the compressor about 5 to 10 times a year.

 

If you're only going to use it a few times a year, why not just go with a CO2 setup?

 

Not too keen on the idea of having something that in the event of a rollover or some other catastrophe on the trail could get turned into a rocket. Wouldn't be too happy with myself if I put a hole the size of a CO2 tank in my wife.

Plus its one more thing to try to remember to throw into the truck every time we go out and as it is I already seem to forget at least one thing every time.

 

Meh, same could be said for carrying a fire extinguisher. Strap it in and forget it.

As for OBA I'm getting a

$592 ARB CKMTA12 '12V' On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor, Ideal for Air Lockers Locking Differentials, Tire Inflator, Air Horn, Air Tools and Pneumatic Tools.

ARB CKMTA12 FWIW.

 

That is along the lines of what I was thinking about getting but starting to wonder about my mounting location choice. Is putting it under the hood going to cause it to fail prematurely or will I get years and years of use out of it. I figured putting it there would be best for keeping it out of the elements but will the heat be an issue?

 

From what I've read the

$592 CKMTA12 '12V' On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor, Ideal for Air Lockers Locking Differentials, Tire Inflator, Air Horn, Air Tools and Pneumatic Tools.

CKMTA12 is pretty bulletproof plus ARB tends to stand behind their products. I know a bunch of people run them under the hood with little problems. That is where mine is going.

 

Yea, I don't think I've heard or seen anything fail being under there so I was comfortable mounting mine there. And as stated above, ARB would likely stand behind their products.

The only PITA is having to fab a bracket if you plan on mounting it on the passenger side.

 

Sounds good. As long as my local 4x4 shop has them in stock there is a good chance there will be one under my hood by tomorrow.

 

Lucky

 

Fabricating stuff like that is fun for me. It's why I keep a pile of scrap metal at my yard.

 

Really want to start fabricating the design that I have in my head for my front bumper but the amount of money I have been spending on the truck lately I think the wife might kill me if I spent more on materials and a winch right now. Have to let her remodel our guest bathroom first.

 

I have run a Quick Air 2 for years and also run 2 powertanks.
Have had the K5 on its side and they never move.
Used the powertank mounts.
The electrical pumps are great for tirez but you need a lot more for air tools and anything else. The powertanks are great for working rigs or reseating beads when the problem rig is up the trail or in a creek. Just carry the tank to the job.
There have been several times when CO2 was the only way to fix things or get going.

 

Not sure if the ARB puts out enough to do this but my trick for getting tires back on the bead has always been to get them off the ground and remove the valve stem. Then wrap a ratchet strap tightly around the center of the tire to push the tire bead against the rim. with the valve stem out use a blow nossel with a rubber tip to quickly inflate the tire to push it back firmly onto the bead. Then let the air flow back out, remove the strap, replace the valve stem, inflate tire to desired pressure, and take off the jack and enjoy.

 

In that case why not just throw it behind the seat? I think that one is designed to be portable and comes with alligator clips. Don't answer that...I will probably eventually mount mine too. The desire to fab, even when its unnecessary, is strong. That's why we are here.