OBA -> On Board Air Mega Thread & BS

I have one of those cubbies that I'll be mounting a Viair compressor in. It's all in my ever growing pile of mods to install at some point.

 

I'm not keen on drilling into the truck...just yet, so that's good to know. Could I trouble you for a few photos? Have you run the wiring? Is the harness from ARB long enough to reach the cab?

 

That's what I was thinking too! I feel it would be less exposed in the bed cubby rather than in the engine bay

 

All done!

Laying on the ground looking up: VIAIR 400C compressor mounted to rear of taillight and regulator/switch assembly rough mounted. The only thing I was somewhat disappointed with the result was the switch mount. It works, but it didn't line up perfectly. I cannot describe in words how difficult the bolts holding the gauge/switch were to tighten, so I was happy just to get them on. Also worth noting is the coil I added to the main compressor line coming out to protect from friction. Everything was assembled with hard fittings and Loctite 565. The only DOT line I used was a short piece to the tank and for the remote intake.



This picture is taken from the wheel well looking back. It all fits with the cubby still in-place. The compressor filter is mounted to the inside of the cubby for easy access and cleaning. The orange line is the air line going to the hose reel mounted in the bed. Obviously the tank mounted to the bottom of the cubby.



This picture is the hole/grommet from the hose reel, through the fender, and to the regulator assembly. You can also see here how the hose reel is mounted using a T-nut and nylon washers.



Below is the tank with a quick disconnect supply line, and with the super quickfist mounts I can remove the tank in about 10 seconds. Also on the tank is a drain cock and blow-off. The tank is mil-surp 2 gal aluminum that I painted in bed liner, and it all tucks up tight and out of reach from trail hazards.



Here is the pressure gauge and regulator knob mounted bed side. The gauge does not read tank pressure since I plumbed it to the regulator. I didn't see the need to know tank pressure, but if I want to know just max out the regulator. I like that they are both protected by the hose reel, and that hose reel rotates up if I need access. You can also see the intake filter inside the cubby, and the mounting bolts for the tank mounted below.



Overall I'm extremely happy with the results. It's clean, and with the 50' hose reel I can reach both of my water tanks and all 4 tires no problem. The idea is to set the regulator to 20-30 psi and hook up to the water tanks for a steady flow of water. Now that I've had it setup for several months, I can report the system seems to be leak-free. I've left the switch turned off for several weeks at a time, and always had full pressure available. If you're considering this setup, I spent right around $500 for everything, $100 of which was spent at the hardware store.

 

Nice! What's your impression of the hose reel?

 

I don’t know why no one has tried it sooner, but for my needs I’d consider it must-have.

 

If that's the ironton is it actually 11" OD X 6" thick? I'm curious if it would fit inside the bedwall above one of the cubbies.

 

It probably would, or behind the bumper somewhere.

 

Finally got around to mounting my tank. Shot on iPhone 6+ potato

 

I thought a CO2 tank had to be upright to be used?

 

I think you're right, I can't remember if they have an internal straw or not.

 

You are correct sir.

 

Nice. Thanks for this! I just installed a compressor and was looking for the best place to mount a 1 gallon tank in back. This looks perfect. I can hack off the mounts, file them smooth enough, then use same method you used with the quickfists. Then I can stick a quick connect in the cubby until I get a rear bumper. I was looking for the best place to mount it vertically so I could drain it as needed, but being able to just release the quickfists and turn it now and then is fine for now. It's an aluminum tank, so it's more loss of volume than corrosion worries (well, and spitting water into air filled/driven stuff). I have the ARB twin with the manifold up front for a front locker (soon) and outlet. Will use a 1/4" T off the manifold outlet to send one up front and one back to the tank.

 

Just be aware you cannot install or remove the quickfists unless the cubby is mounted to the truck (it won't fit through the opening). If you have any need to remove the cubby semi-frequently, you'll have to take the mounts off which are kind of a pain. Also note I used blocks to lower the quickfist about an 1" from the bottom of the cubby. I did this to prevent the tank from bouncing off the side of the bed.

 

A question for those running ARB compressors. What are you doing for maintenance for the intake air filters? I know they are removable, are they washable? If so, do you use soap and water or something more aggressive like a solvent of some sort?

I have the

$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.

 

I think you blow air back through them backwards. They are sintered bronze filters (like a little bronze plate). I couldn't find anything from ARB, so I looked in this: http://www.gravertech.com/PDF/Product_Sheets/LPF/TechbriefTB-010.pdf

 

If that's the case then you could probably back blow and then soak overnight in a mild degreaser solution then rinse to finish the job.

 

Hello OBA Hive Mind,

I've been searching the forums but haven't really found what I'm after yet. I just picked up an ARB rear locker and CMKA12 compressor (which I will also be using to air up my 315/75/16 tires). I wanted to add a

$49 Viair 91014 1 Gallon 4-Port Air Reservoir Tank with 1/4" NPT, Black

Viair 91014 1-gallon reserve tank under the hood to help out a bit, mainly with the tires.

My question is: will a 1-gallon tank actually help? Or will the difference be negligible, compared to that of a larger tank mounted under the bed?

Found this as an example:

 

1 gallon won't help with airing the tires for more than a couple seconds but it'll help for using air tools if that's something you need to do. Otherwise I find tanks to be a draw when filling tires with a small compressor.

 

Yes! I ran a 2.5 gallon with a mv50 and the tank made it slow as hell airing up