On-Board Air or Portable?

Which do you have? I am trying to decide which route to go on my rig. Potentially want to install air lockers far down the road so am considering on board. If you have on board air, how hard was it to install?

 

I installed a Viair OBA setup. Wasn't a hard install. Hardest part was deciding where to mount everything.

 

I have onboard ARB twinair mounted under the passenger seat and it has worked out really good for me and was pretty simple to install I am using this bracket https://desertdoesit.com/collection...coma-2003-2021-4runner?variant=33222571130962

 

That looks really nice. Even though I am not the best when it comes to stuff like this, think I can figure it out?

 

It’s a pretty straight forward install probably the toughest part is running your power cable into the engine compartment but I am sure there are some video on YouTube maybe a good idea to check a few out too make sure your comfortable with the install. Here is video of the install that I found that is under the drivers seat but same bracket so some things will be different but it should give you a good idea of what it’s going to take to do the install https://youtu.be/DyN8cezu00o

 

I went with viair 88 portable. Before you pick a model of viair(?!), be sure it will handle the size of tires you will be running. I am OK with this modest machine, because I don't intend to get bigger tires.

 

I prefer the portable route because I can get an auto-fill system that matches my cordless system. Pretty much any brand has one. Only issue is they tend to have a problem walking off.

 

OBA.
As mentioned above, hardest part is pre-planning on what you want in your system/where you’ll mount it.

Pretty freaking convenient vs taking a portable out if you ask me

 

Portable. Ask @tonered as he has lots of experience. Also, most off road veterans run scuba tank or that fancy tank.

 

Cheers!

I had a scuba tank and went to a portable Viair. You want an automatic version, like the 400p Automatic, unless you want to mod one like I did.

My friends have ARB Duals on board. They are about 30% or so faster than my Viair, but I just don't want to deal with any more high current wiring and my Sport doesn't have the convenient spot on the right side that the ORs and Pros have.

That said, being able to air up and fix punctures is killer.

Also, check out this easy to make mod:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/shellshocks-diy-inflator-deflator.613122/

 

I have an ARB dual compressor under the hood on a Rago Fabrication mount. Total time to install & wire was about 30 minutes. I have mine connected to my SwitchPros so I didn’t need to run wires to a switch in the dash.

 

My vote is portable.. OBA is nice but I like the versatile aspect of portable. I can take this with me in any vehicle I go in and have the security of having air anywhere.

 

I have a portable air compressor so I can use it on other vehicles.

Portable air tip: the ones with clamps for attaching to battery posts have thicker wires and better performance vs plug into 12v socket compressors.

 

Can this compressor be bolted into the engine bay? Sorry for the dumb question but I cannot seem to figure out which ARB to buy or how to get it into the engine bay. I just want it there to save space.

ARB (CKMP12) 12V High Performance Portable Air Compressor

$300 ARB CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor 12V High Performance and Output Compressor

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004P9A35E


Did you use this for mounting and if so which ARB compressor did you use specifically:

$122 Air Compressor Mount for 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma 3rd Gen | Made in The USA | Compatible with ARB Single & Twin Air Compressor | On-Board Air System | Rago Fabrication

https://www.amazon.com/Rago-Fabrica...=&hvlocphy=9027583&hvtargid=pla-1752321256511

 

Yes, especially if you're driving a pro. There's a nice and mostly empty space right on the passenger side of the engine bay. Most mounts for that location can fit the dual or the single compressor from ARB.

 

It’s a huge space totally agree - the mount I found is for the driver side which is a bit more crowded … do you have a recommendation for a good mount?

 

I went with the Slee mount.
https://sleeoffroad.com/products/sok0038/

 

This is excellent. So that single ARB portable pump (the

$300 CKMP12 Portable Air Compressor 12V High Performance and Output Compressor

CKMP12) will fit? And do you hook it onto the battery when you need to use it or did you permanently wire it?

 

The "P" in the model number is because that specific one is portable, meaning it's in a case meant to be tucked away and stored until needed. The mount I linked would be for the

$338 CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

CKMA12/

$646 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 (for 12v applications). You certainly could drill holes in the case to mount it, but I wouldn't go that route. Would be challenging to remove when you do need it.

 

Gotcha. This is why I’m confused.

So then this one:
ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

$338 ARB CKMA12 On-Board Air Compressor High Performance 12 Volt for Air Locker Differentials and Tire Inflation

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009F49NP0

edit:

this plus the mount you suggested:

ARB Inflation Kit Air Compressor and Orange Air Hose Pump Up Kit with Quick Fitting Bundle On Board System, CKMA12 and 171302 Part Numbers in a New Air Systems Printed Box (Compressor & Inflation Kit)

$460 ARB Inflation Kit Air Compressor and Orange Air Hose Pump Up Kit with Quick Fitting Bundle On Board System, CKMA12 and 171302 Part Numbers in a New Air Systems Printed Box (Compressor & Inflation Kit)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TXRM272