is an air storage tank necessary?

looking at future upgrades for my 2016 TRD.. one of which is a front locker, because why not... I dont intend for it to be used a lot, but like my 4x4, I would engage it every so often to ensure its there when I need it..

my question is with an ARB dual compressor (plan to install it bedside (passenger side) do I need, or would it be advisable to install a 1 gallon storage tank? they arent too expensive $164 for the ARB 1 gallon, or even a .5 gallon.... and I imagine I can fid a spot on the frame to mount it.. I imagine it would reduce runtime on the compressors and store enough air to help others air up, or fix tires (seat beads), and run air tools if necessary. only constant on the system would be an ARB air locker. I realize initially to run the air lockers it would have to fill the tank partially & then activate the locker.

anyone ever install a tank? good, bad?

 

I run this setup: https://mountainoffroad.com/collect...sor-and-1-gallon-tank-for-toyota-tacoma-gen-3

Did a write up on it here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...cket-install-overview-and-impressions.673061/

Definitely not mandatory and lots of people run compressors with no tank. I go into it more in that other post.

 

There’s really no need for a tank for your intended usage. The lockers don’t have the compressor running constantly. It runs for a second or two to build pressure and actuate the locker but that’s it.

As far as airing up and seating beads, won’t really help with that either. Once the reserve of the tank runs out (which it will pretty quickly) then it’s just running straight off of the compressor again.

the only benefit that I can see to a tank (and you’d need a larger one) is to run air tools.

 

That’s very expensive for a one gallon tank. I paid $55 for a 2.5 gallon. There’s not much to a low pressure cylinder. It was useless for filling up more than half of the first tire. Air tools sound cool, but I have battery tools I can take anywhere and charge in the bed. I went with two viair 444c when I added a front air locker to get more output for filling the tires. They make quick work filling 35s and have a 100% duty cycle.

I can’t verify this since I removed my tank, but I think the tank would need to build pressure before you can activate the locker the first time. For me it’s almost instantaneous with no tank.

Maybe get a portable tank for the times you need it. That way it’s not tethered to your vehicle unless you want it to be.

 

You’re right on the tank building pressure. The lockers need either 80 or 90 psi to actuate them. So it would probably run more overall to fill the tank first and then actuate the lockers

 

I was afraid of that. Glad I ditched it.

The question that we should all be asking now is can you run forty train horns without a tank?

 

@tacomarin
yeah, nice setup, but I'm planning to put my secondary "house" battery there.. partly why i want to mount the compressor under the bedsides. I do plan to add a rear high clearance bumper, so that should offer some protection.

@EatSleepTacos
the idea of the tank was not for full time air tool usage, but for an impact, or an air gun in short bursts.. not to run a die grinder, or air hungry tools. I figure the more integrated I can make some systems, the less I have (weight wise) to carry around in the bed, or on a roof rack.

I just havent seen a setup that does/is what I'm looking at soing.. also looking at having all kinds of free space where the spare tire was/is.. upgrading my spare to a 295/70/17 33.3" to match my new tires, which wont fit in the factory spare location, so a swing out on a rear bumper is needed.... the dual compressor is to air up the 33's as my current

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

viair 88p barely fills my 4-31.7's 265/70/17 without getting extraordinarily hot.... so a tank could easily fit there, or an extra fuel cell...

 

If your plan going into this is with the intention of running air tools, then I would look at storing a larger tank somewhere, like a 5 gallon. I think you’d be surprised at how much air it would take to even remove a tire, depending on how much the impact has to work.

Or alternatively just carry an electric impact. There are mid range 1/2” drive ones that are a very nice size and will do trail fixes with ease.

I would suggest a co2 to air up tires crazy fast and run air tools with ease, but that doesn’t fit into the integrated plan you’re going for.

 

I have a 1/2" rigid electric impact (450ftlb rated), I meant air for situations where the electric can't break the bolt free... although my electric broke the DS axle nut free on my 2016 tacoma... so...

 

Yeah exactly. In that situation, an impact is gonna be working hard and using a lot of air. A big breaker bar under the back seat would probably be more useful in a scenario like that.

 

295/70/17 will fit in the stock location. Just have to bend the tabs. I've got a 34" tire (285/75/R17) in the stock location.

 

KO2’s tend to run small, like a whole inch smaller, which is probably how you’re able to fit a 34 there. The general consensus is 285/70r17 or 255/80r17 which are both 33s. A 295 is gonna be a bit tight but may be possible.

 

My KO2's are 33.8". My buddy is running 295 KO2's, which are 33.3" also in the stock position.

 

Are you going off of the manufacturer specs or have you actually taken a tape measure to them?

 

I think we're in the weeds here. No I didn't measure it at sea level, 75 degrees, with 60 PSI in it.

I would feel confident putting any 285/75R17 or 295/xxRxx in the stock location. There is over 1/2" of room with my setup.

FWIW, I also moved my hoist back about an inch.

 

Agreed, getting a bit off topic from the thread at hand.

 

I am looking at a set of 295/70/17 yokohama G003's true sized 33.5" tire. and from most posts to fit anything larger than a 32-ish sized tire you have to do some major mods, and even then it doesnt sit right.. exhaust cut required (might do this anyways) relocate the stock hoist (read you can unbolt, then move it forward a little), but even then the tire is likely to hit the rear stock leaf hangars (eventually getting Archive offroad hammer hangars to match my u-bolt flip kit, but unsure if this helps to fit a larger tire or not..)

 

Hammer hangers won’t really help with hanger clearance and you’re right about the mods necessary to fit a larger tire. Plus who wants a tire hanging that low down?

One thing to consider is the bedside arb mounts interfere with a lot of HC bumpers. Most bumpers have a lateral support tube that supports the “wing” of the bumper and it goes right below the bedside cubby. These arb mounts make it fit by going lower, hence where the interference comes from. Just something to consider.

 

anyways back on topic, so the concesus I take from all this is that the tank is not really going to help in ANY aspect. only benefit would be a small reserve of air to ait up, but likely the compressors would turn on after/during the first tire inflation.

 

I just measured my stock spare out of spite and it's definitely a solid 33.75". But yes, it's not free of work to fit it in there. It's definitely cheaper and arguably less work than a swing out though.