Best On Board Air Options

With so many options for on board air out there lets see what yall recommend. Brand and model of compressor and why, what power method you prefer (wall outlet in the bed of the truck, alligator clamps on battery, or 12v cigarette lighter), and where you mount / store these things. What gives you the best bang for you buck? As always Pics are nice.

I currently have a NAPA compressor that i throw in the tool box when im offroad but its time for something more permanent.

 

Best. Arb twin. @ramonortiz55 got a group buy on them currently

 

Do you need air for tire fills, power tools, lockers, on board shower... What are you looking to have as the end goal use here?

 

you on a roll

 

Just helping out.

 

Mainly airing up tires is the primary goal

 

Gotcha. I run a Viair400p for my tires. It's a great little compressor. Only bummer is I have to open the hood and connect it to use it. I have OBA for the lockers, but it's the small ARB compressor. I'm perfectly happy keeping it as simple as that for hardwired/airlined in the truck. In the next few months, I'm going to go with a CO2 tank for tires/power tools. Give my wife the 400P for her Yeep.

Plus, I can use the CO2 for when I bring kegs to events.

 

ARB single met all my needs and fit my passenger dead spot in the engine bay nicely.

Running small air tools on a double is tempting to upgrade, but I have no actual reason to.

 

The hero we need, but not the one we deserve!

 

anyone have experience with master flow products? the price is tempting

Tire Inflator, Portable 12 Volt Air Pump, Air Compressor by MasterFlow for Inflating Full Size 4 x4, Truck, SUV and RV Tires

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000L9AD2U/?coliid=IZMESL6XBSN99&colid=19X8UWU2ZU0BD&psc=0

 

I've had mine for ~4 years.

I don't wheel as much as I used to but it works well for my needs. It's been used more for emergencies at work or helping someone out than on the trail but a buddy had one and filled up 2 FJ's and my truck. I bought one shortly after. It's not fast but also not expensive.

 

What's your budget and level of fabrication skills?

A setup with the ARB twin is overkill, IMO, if you are just filling tires. That's really for air tools, etc... A Viair 400P or similar will more than do the job of filling tires quickly and efficiently. Heck, the $60 88p will fill tires just fine, but might struggle on 33's or bigger (will do it, just takes a while and need to let it cool down).

I just bought a 5 gallon/125psi air tank from Harbor Freight for $30, and plan on a Viair 400p to supplement it ($150). Air tank is good if you blow a bead, so you have a better chance at reseating it, and the compressor can easily fill it in just a few minutes, and will air up all 4 tires no problem. I'll just strap the tank down in the bed, and toss the compressor in my gear box and call it good.

Full on OBA is tempting, but frankly I'm just lazy, and have other fab jobs I'm trying to finish, like my sliders, lol.

 

I hard-mounted my Viair 400P to a homemade bracket under hood on the passenger side, up by the firewall. It’s convenient ‘cause it’s always there and it’s in an otherwise unused space. Plus, I live in an area where car break-ins are common so it’s good to keep it out of sight. On the other hand, I sometimes wish I could just put it next to the tire I’m airing up and use a 4’ hose. Instead, I need a hose long enough to reach all corners or a buddy’s truck. But, it’s fast and works well so far. I may put in a tee and run permanent lines up to air chucks at the front and rear of the truck.

 

I had a mv50. Works good but too slow for 35” tires

 

I used a MV50 until it died and it worked well enough. I switched to an ARB single mounted under the hood with a Slee Offroad bracket. It’s a clean install, simple and frees up a little space in the truck without having a compressor rattling around.

 

So far I’m looking in to the

$91 viair 88p portable compressor kit (12V, 120 psi, forup to 33" tires)

viair 88p and 400p and the mv50. The plan is to put the compressor behind my back driver side seat until o need it. I also have a 5 gal tank I can strap in the bed when I’m out. Now to decide on what compressor to get.

 

If you plan to utilize the tank or have 33's, I'd get the 400p.

The 88p only goes up to 120 psi, the 400p is 150psi, and the 400p quite a bit faster.

Or you could buy 2 88P's and have one for front tires, one for rear tires, lol...

 

Hmm, that approach would have solved my hose length problem

 

I have the ARB single on order. Would really like to see how you mounted it.
Thanks,