Simple on board air recommendations

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Joined
Mar 15, 2022
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Location
Kansas
Wife had a trip and needed the compressor but did not take the portable so trying to figure out a relatively simple on board set up. Ideally that could be used if I ever do a rear locker down the road. Mainly thinking the slew arb single but can’t see wiring instructions on their site. Any input from those that have done.

Did you wish you didn’t the twin later? Is there a simple switch mechanism for operation, don’t have switch pro etc yet and would prefer to put that off for a bit.
 
Wife had a trip and needed the compressor but did not take the portable so trying to figure out a relatively simple on board set up. Ideally that could be used if I ever do a rear locker down the road. Mainly thinking the slew arb single but can’t see wiring instructions on their site. Any input from those that have done.

Did you wish you didn’t the twin later? Is there a simple switch mechanism for operation, don’t have switch pro etc yet and would prefer to put that off for a bit.
The slee bracket comes with a spot to mount the ARB-supplied power switch. To my knowledge they mostly leave the wiring part of it up to the ARB instructions, which themselves leave something to be desired.

I run the ARB twin on a slee bracket with no internal wiring as I don't plan to add lockers. Just lift the hood and turn it on if I need to air something up. Plus I like to free-flow air through the compressor to cool it down a bit before asking much of it. I significantly cut down the ARB harness to do so and suit my needs. Sorry, I didn't document what I did.
 
Wife had a trip and needed the compressor but did not take the portable so trying to figure out a relatively simple on board set up. Ideally that could be used if I ever do a rear locker down the road. Mainly thinking the slew arb single but can’t see wiring instructions on their site. Any input from those that have done.

Did you wish you didn’t the twin later? Is there a simple switch mechanism for operation, don’t have switch pro etc yet and would prefer to put that off for a bit.
I did an ARB single on the slee bracket. It might be possible to mount the single directly to the fender? The wire harness looks pretty intimidating (I’m a 1 banana type DIYer) but it’s basically 1) big wires direct to battery 2) small wires to switch/relay/12v/ground.

I chopped the entire relay part off and connected the trigger wire to another switch block I already had.

I’ve mostly used it for topping up tires and kids bikes and balls and stuff.
 
If you are thinking you will add a rear locker, just go twin now, install the under hood switch and tuck the rest of the harness between the compressor and firewall. The only down side to this is cost as the twin plus Slee bracket is bit expensive but the twin will air up tires faster and is more convenient than any portable compressor. Then when/if you add the rear locker you have the harness to add another switch in the cab. You don’t need. Switch pro just to add a compressor and locker switch in the cab.
 
Also go ahead and get the manifold kit now. Running the hose directly off the compressor.. it gets very hot.. many have melted the rubber hose. The manifold has provisions for plumbing the locker solenoids as well as taking some of the heat out of the air before it flows into the hose.
 
Agree with others. Twin for sure. Slee bracket and manifoldkit. Switch in the bracket and you’ll be happy you did. I did this and later extended the switch into the cab, but it doesn’t really buy much. you have the hood open for the air connection, anyway.

iirc, Slee has a kit with the bracket, manifold kit and twin. I think I bought mine this Way, but it’s been awhile m

all in it’s a quick and easy install.
 
Currently working on mounting my PUMA under the hood. PUMA 12v has a long track record on MUD (I've had mine about 8 years) and costs about 1/3 of an ARB twin, and can air up a set of 35's in 8 minutes.

 
Currently working on mounting my PUMA under the hood. PUMA 12v has a long track record on MUD (I've had mine about 8 years) and costs about 1/3 of an ARB twin, and can air up a set of 35's in 8 minutes.

Any concerns with the Puma handling the underhood temps?
 
Also go ahead and get the manifold kit now. Running the hose directly off the compressor.. it gets very hot.. many have melted the rubber hose. The manifold has provisions for plumbing the locker solenoids as well as taking some of the heat out of the air before it flows into the hose.
I am currently using a portable Viar 400p, (purchased in 2011). I just use it for tire airups after the beach (from 18psi to 40psi), is the ARB that much faster that I should consider it? And I’m a .5 banana mechanical genius so the whole under the hood install is intimidating to me.
 
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I am currently using a portable Viar 400p, (purchased in 2011). I just use it for tire airups after the beach (from 18psi to 40psi), is the ARB that much faster that I should consider it? And I’m a .5 banana mechanical genius so the whole under the hood install is intimidating to me.
Others would need to speak to the viair, but I have heard they are pretty good. I know my ARB is surprisingly fast.

You should be able to look up inflation rates for each.. sometimes they are at different pressures so it can make it hard to go 1:1. That said when doing so consider their duty cycle. Some common compressors are not designed to run 100% of the time.
 
Any concerns with the Puma handling the underhood temps?
Others have run the puma under the hood, and although there are a few documented puma failures, I think most were being used in the stock form as a portable compressor with tank. I plan to mount mine behind the passenger headlight towards the front of the engine bay where it should get some fresh air and be a good distance from the exhaust and other hot bits. The hood will also be open when in operation. Puma construction is about as robust as many viair compressors that other rigs typically run under the hood. So, no, I'm not worried.

But if it does turn out to be an issue, this is an 8 year old compressor I bought for $230, so I've already gotten more than my money's worth out of it :hillbilly: I figure I might as well "run what I brung" before starting from scratch($$$) with an ARB twin and mount. I helped my stepdad install his ARB in his 4Runner, and it's definitely a nice unit, complete with miles of wiring :o
 
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Any concerns with the Puma handling the underhood temps?

Don’t know about Puma, but my twin ARB hasn’t flinched one bit even in 112 degree nastiness + low speed wheeling (so..*massive* heat build-up under-hood).
 
But if it does turn out to be an issue, this is an 8 year old compressor I bought for $230, so I've already gotten more than my money's worth out of it :hillbilly: I figure I might as well "run what I brung" before starting from scratch($$$) with an ARB twin and mount.

Trust me I get it. My ARB twin wasn't an easy purchase..
 
Most of the way there, just a few finishing touches on the mount and then I'm going to tackle wiring. Probably an Anderson connector and some alligator clips so wiring can be removed and tucked away to avoid any accidental battery draw.

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