Onboard air system

Here’s a few pictures of an onboard air system I’m finishing installing. I had a 400P Viair compressor I’ve carried around but wanted an onboard system so I purchased their 2 ½ gallon tank and mounted it in the rear in the spare tire well. I purchased an onboard hook up kit from Viair to help complete the system. Much of the need pieces had to be from several vendors. I built this system to support an ARB locker to be installed first week in June from a mud member (justdifferentials.com) In Washington state.
The system works great. I put an air hook up in the rear bumper as well as the manifold under the hood. It is capable of running a 3/8 in. impact wrench with ease for small jobs in the field. Easily fills 33 or 35 in. tires. I’ve also found the negative side can be use with an evac system I bought from Sears to empty and fill transmission, brakes line, differentials and so on. I can list parts and pieces if anyone is interested. Mike

Sweet set-up Blood !

Great way to use that empty space where the spare formerly resided , I just might have to copy you on this one

Yes...nice install! FYI: I think I will be able to fit a Sanden belt driven A/C pump (8cfm) into the 100 engine bay. Its the next project on my list...but it looks doable.

Spresso, fab a second bracket at the same time and I'll buy it off you!

hoser said:

Spresso, fab a second bracket at the same time and I'll buy it off you!

Click to expand...

Ok...but first I have to make sure it'll work . Hopefully this will be a project I get going on this summer.

I like it!

Does it come on automatically when the tank hits a certain psi?

Stand alone system

The air compressor is the most expensive unit to this system. I went the Viair 400p because it matched the needs I was looking for. One of the downsides to have a belt driven compressor requires the motor running to access air beyond your tanks capabilities. The Viair 2 ½ gallon air tank is pretty cheap at $62.00. I bought mine at Wheeler’s Off-Road along with fit kit, relocation kit and locker kit. I used a ½” x 1” low profile square tube to mount the tank. I kept the tank to the driver’s side away from exhaust heat. I use #14 metal screws predrilled with 3/16” drill bit that give me a pullout value of over 90 lbs into the low flute of the pan deck. The ¼” line I received from the supplier was to stiff and I bought a 250 psi rated ¼” air line from the local hardware store which was much more pliable. I ran the line from the tank over the exhaust to the passenger side frame from back to front to avoid heat. The tank has a 150 lb. Pop-off safety valve and a low profile drain. The manifold I purchased from NorthernTool.com. That has 3/8” NPT in with 5- ¼” NPT out, 7 out if you count the ends. I bought a check valve and leader line (cools air from compressor) from Wheelers. I also purchased an 85 to 105 electric air valve to control the pressure of the system. This is optimum pressure for ARB locker and air tools. I chose to mount the switch near the compressor and not in the cabin because I didn’t want another switch or gauge cluttering the cabin. One day I’ll look for a wireless automotive remote switch to operate the system. Once it pressure tested you can leave it on or off and its stand alone. The only other thing was I needed to move the steering reservoir to sit the air compressor in its place. I remove the bracket from the wheel well and cut to actual bracket off the plate and bolted it to Slee second battery tray and tied the lines away from the pulley they pass over. Pretty simple and I wish I had done it long ago. Mike

Thank you for all the specs. Very cool

Very nice set up!

I just came back after a Friday PM run to Costco. Here in the Seattle area, they seem to right now carry what looks like a very sturdy 12V compressor for $49.99. Not like those flimsy plastic contraptions (sometimes with a battery/inverter built-in...) you too many times see. No, this one seemed to be a full metal unit of "good" design.

It is NOT the same unit as can be found on-line (Costco website), and maybe something that'll fit the bill for most anyone that needs something to power airlockers, the the random tire fill, etc.

If you are close to a Costco store, check it out. If nothing else, you can always return it if it does not work out.