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I am interested in installing an onboard air system. I've seen kits that are installed in place of the spare tire. This is not an option I'm interested in. Does anyone have experience with specific kits what will do the job. I'm interested in this air system for the purposes of inflating tires, air horn (not train), etc. I don't foresee a need for air bags on this truck.
Search On Board Air. There are a few threads here. I followed one of them to a T. I went with a ARB CKMA12 compressor and a 2.5 gallon ViAir tank. I have a QD on the back to connect an air hose next to the license plate and an air horn up front. I still have a few ports left for other things too. I installed the compressor above the spare tire and the tank is in front of it.
That's a slick set up. I might just have to copy yours.
For the record, that was @Squirrel13 set up... I copied his! I even reached out to him about some questions and he was very helpful. I like the set up though... the only thing I would change is I might consider the ARB CKMTA12 compressor instead of the CKMA12... mine is the single unit, and it gets the job done, but I wouldn't be upset if it took a little less time to air my truck's tires up! The twin unit is (on paper) twice as fast, but also twice as expensive... I'm still very happy with my OBA system though and I love the set up that Squirrel had, so I copied it. I wired mine to upfitter #6 so it can be always on.
Search On Board Air. There are a few threads here. I followed one of them to a T. I went with a ARB CKMA12 compressor and a 2.5 gallon ViAir tank. I have a QD on the back to connect an air hose next to the license plate and an air horn up front. I still have a few ports left for other things too. I installed the compressor above the spare tire and the tank is in front of it.
Like @chadstickpoindexter said, lots of info & different ways to do it out there, I really like his setup above the spare. I have also seen them mounted on the passenger side frame rail. I live in MI so my fear is always the cold winter & salt spray would do to a pump that wasn't more protected. There is a company that sells a setup to keep it in the cab by relocating the jack behind the back seat, https://dirtchurchindustries.com/products/2017-ford-arb. Just another idea to throw out there. Good luck with deciding on what works best for you.
I was really happy with my Extreme Outback compressor I had on my last truck. I will definitely buy another one from them in the future. Great duty cycle. I ran it a lot airing up tires, air bottle jack and blowing out air filters and radiators. https://www.extremeoutback.com/produ...r-compressors/
I built my own system to inflate my air bags or add air to my trailer tires as well as the truck, I built my own mounts for the tank and the compressor.. Installed the tank above and forward of the spare tire and the compressor is installed on a mount I build under the hood.. Wired in some solenoids for the air bags one to inflate and one to deflate as well as one for the compressor and used the switch's on the upfiter switch panel the compressor is also wired with a pressure shut off switch on a manifold under the hood... Have a couple of quick disconnects for the air line....
I built my own system to inflate my air bags or add air to my trailer tires as well as the truck, I built my own mounts for the tank and the compressor.. Installed the tank above and forward of the spare tire and the compressor is installed on a mount I build under the hood.. Wired in some solenoids for the air bags one to inflate and one to deflate as well as one for the compressor and used the switch's on the upfiter switch panel the compressor is also wired with a pressure shut off switch on a manifold under the hood... Have a couple of quick disconnects for the air line....
I had a York compressor on my 2003 TJ Jeep Rubicon. That compressor brought up several tires while a friend was working on one tire on his Jeep with a smaller electrical compressor. The ExtremeAire compressor I have now may be similar to the York ? Ive put a 3 gallon ? aluminum tank just in front of passenger rear wheel. The tank will allow a larger volume of air to be used without constantly running the compressor. Could fill 3 or 4 tires quicker without waiting for compressor to build up pressure. Thinking it takes around 90 seconds to fill tank from 0 to around 125 psi. I put a blow off valve on the tank and also a pressure cut off switch to remove power from the compressor.
Question: Why the need for a tank? If you are just using it to have an air line to pump up tires, etc., wouldn't the compressor do the intended job?
A tank will make airing up these larger, higher pressure tires a bit faster… at least to start with. I may be wrong but I wouldn’t say it’s required… but it can be welcomed.
Pros and cons to different compressors and mounting locations. This worked perfect for me. I already had the compressor and didn't want it under the truck. There's no reason for me to use a tank just for airing up tires. Aired up all 10 of my tires from 20 to 80 last weekend no problem.
Don't forget the put a dryer between the compressor and tank. Depending on the how close the drier is to the compressor a cooler may also be helpful. If not make sure you regularly drain the tank, like every time to the compressor is used.
