On-Board Air or Portable?

I have a 300p hard mounted in a tuffy bed box.

 

Either of those will be just fine with the mount I linked above.

 

Awesome ..

do I need a manifold? And how does the manifold help with hood clearance?

 

The manifold is if you will be running air lockers. If you don't have them, you won't need it. Although, I'm sure there could be other purposes for it.

You'll have plenty of clearance for the air fitting. I mounted a 90° fitting and ran my lines to the back of the truck. No fitment or hood clearance issues.

 

much appreciated - just need to be able to air up tires

 

M18 compressor runs on tool batteries!

 

I don’t know what this means.

 

https://www.acehardware.com/departm...VFxOtBh2QyA9cEAQYASABEgJvrPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

throw mine in behind the rear seat

 

Very good input here

 

Seems like another good option. I like engine bay mounting to save space in the cabin. And it’s about the same price.

 

It’s why I love TW

 

Yes, that looks like the mount I used. Here is the direct link at Rago Fab. I went with the ARB twin compressor rather than the single. I also have this air hose kit from ARB

$89 ARB 171302 Portable Tire Inflation Kit, Includes Air Hose 18 Foot Long and Accessories Kit, Quick Fitting For Universal On Board Systems And Air Compressors (171302)

https://www.amazon.com/ARB-171302-I...mzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

 

I went ARB twin portable. On board is nice but I like being to take with me if I’m we are not taking the taco.

 

If you go the portable route I highly recommend this compressor from Napa. This 300LPM Maxi Trac has performed well for me for the past year. I'm a full time nomad on the road in my Taco + Travel Trailer and this thing just works. No frills. Just a compressor, + and - clamps and hose. The downside to the portability is the space the compressor takes up. That is the question you need to answer... "Am I okay with a compressor taking up storage space in the bed/decked system/Leitner gear pods/whatever?"

If it were me I would price out the components and labor for an OBA install then compare that to the $139.00 for the Maxi Trac (or similar) portable solution. The nice thing about portable is you can see how much you use it and how much you are willing to put up with (pain in the ass wise - taking it out, setting it up, then airing up). If the pain in the ass factor is too much you could always sell it or have it in the garage as a backup. My $.02.

 

Under the passenger seat: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/adding-air-compressor-under-seat-in-progress-done.738676/

 

Assuming like most your off-road trips are planned and you don't really need to haul around a mounted system 24/7; I would go portable... But would go one step further; Milwaukee Fuel 18v portable (Probably find use for it around the house; Good gateway into other Milwaukee battery powered stuff if wanted/needed (i.e. fan, light, impact, even a light chainsaw?) $479 with charger and battery at HD ($379 for tool only)

MilwaukeeM18 FUEL 18-Volt Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless 2 Gal. Electric Compact Quiet Compressor W/ 5.0 Ah Battery

 

I think everyone should start with a good portable, you can always sell it or give it away.

I've had the same portable for 3 trucks, never had air lockers so it worked out.

Big thing is, you want metal construction and strong battery clamps, no cig lighter sockets.

Onboard air in my eyes is best routed and installed when the diffs are ready for plumbing.

 

I really hate this forum sometimes.

Y'all have me thinking that my $30 Kobalt inflator might not be the best self-repair choice for upcoming trips to Big Bend. So I just purchased a Viair 88. (I like to travel light but equipped, and don't mind the time penalty)



Oh, and portable all the way. It seems like I'm inflating everyone else's tires more than my own, and that includes the times I air up/down.

 

Ugh… I didn’t need to know this existed. My trusty Viair is in danger thanks to you. You pretty happy with it?

 

I love it
You can hook it up set the psi and walk away
It shuts down when done
I wouldn’t call it fast but fast enough