Onboard Air for 250 Series

[ryanjl]

Weighing options for onboard air for a 250 Series.

I have a new single ARB compressor that I'm messing around with, looking for places it may be possible to mount it. I had an ARB under the hood of my LR4 and used it way more often than I ever even thought I would. On my Land Cruiser, however, I'd like to find a spot in the back somewhere. Would make wiring easier with the battery back there already, and would keep the compressor out from under the engine heat.

The factory jack location looks interesting.

Would require removal of the mount for the jack and fabrication of some sort of bracket to mount the air compressor using the same bolt holes that the jack mount uses. Compressor would have to be inset further than the jack so that the cover can be put back over it. Wiring would be easy with the battery right there.

Issues I can see are ventilation. Not sure if the compressor would get too hot for this to be a good spot to mount it.

Other option would be to just take advantage of the 250 Series' inverter and just carry something like this.

Anyone else done anything yet? Thoughts?

 

[ryanjl]

Looks like CA Tuned has an under-hood option:



Not sure I like the way the wiring is run. Seems like it could be better hidden.

Also would rather have the compressor in the rear versus under the hood.

And, if under the hood, not sure why they have the air fitting aim towards the engine instead of towards the side.

 

[MaxJr]

I like the jack area as project space, but probably not for a compressor.

It's convenient to attach a 12V compressor to the battery at the back, so I see little reason to seek a 120V freestanding unit. But I would like to find a good, small 12V unit. I have a 12V $200 dual compressor that is very fast but too big and heavy.

 

[Oakleyguy]

I ended up mounting my spare single on the side of my drawer set:

 

[ryanjl]

I ended up mounting my spare single on the side of my drawer set:

View attachment 3723007

View attachment 3723008

I've got a set of drawers I used in my LR4 that I'm debating whether I'll use in the 250. They'll inherently make the existing storage compartments in the floor of the 250 unusable. Not too big a deal, but a factor. Anyway, if I do use them, this method would be in consideration.

 

[NY2LA]

Looks like CA Tuned has an under-hood option:



Not sure I like the way the wiring is run. Seems like it could be better hidden.

Also would rather have the compressor in the rear versus under the hood.

And, if under the hood, not sure why they have the air fitting aim towards the engine instead of towards the side.

Is that one of the ECUs that's getting bolted onto the backside of the mount for the compressor? I have the GX550, so I'm not sure what happening here in the LC250. But I had this Arb unit on my 200, and I know how hard it vibrates. No way I'd bolt any sensitive computing components to it.

 

[ryanjl]

Yeah, it's an ECU. Good point about the vibrations.

 

[rk1679]

Not to mention the heat produced by the compressor.

 

[NY2LA]

I finally capitulated and bought a Milwaukee M18 to keep in my GX550. There doesn't seem to be any room under the hood for a compressor, and I suspect the Lexus compressor--when, if ever, it comes out--will be slower than the Milwaukee and use up the cubby space that I've come to enjoy in the back. Plus, I never liked dragging my 200's long air hose around in the dirt and what not. That air hose took up some decent space too. I like the idea of bringing the compressor to each wheel, setting the PSI, letting it do its thing, and then just wiping any dirt off the bottom surface when all the tires are done.

 

[KeithPDX]

I would never mount an ECU to a compressor. The amount of heat and vibration at the same time is just asking for problems. Electrical engineer here sharing their opinion....

 

[rk1679]

I would never mount an ECU to a compressor. The amount of heat and vibration at the same time is just asking for problems. Electrical engineer here sharing their opinion....

Totally agree.

 

[NY2LA]

M18 tire inflator turns out to be faster than my Arb dual compressor (without tank) was for inflating my Bushranger X-Jack. So I'm very happy with my choice. (For anyone interested, can also confirm the X-jack is effective for lifting the GX550 via one of the Lexus rock rails plus adjacent frame rail. Just got to keep it reasonably straight and inflate almost all the way--up to 8 or 9PSI. )