Under-Bed Air Tanks
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Oh, I have my big compressor at the house for stuff like that. I'll initially pressurize the tanks with that one. That ARB compressor is gonna be just to maintain the tanks at the full pressure. I certainly won't use it to fill them from empty. If I was gonna do that, I would get a compressor like they have for the cool guy low rider trucks with the air suspensions. I won't even run the ARB compressor while using the tanks, just to prevent burning it out.
The small ARB compressor is why I want two 10 gal tanks, but it will push to 115 PSI. That way I have plenty of air for tires, blowing out parts, a quick blast with the air tools, whatever. I don't intend it to be a stand alone air source. It's gonna be more as a matter of convienence.
The small ARB compressor is why I want two 10 gal tanks, but it will push to 115 PSI. That way I have plenty of air for tires, blowing out parts, a quick blast with the air tools, whatever. I don't intend it to be a stand alone air source. It's gonna be more as a matter of convienence.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Virginia
I mounted my air tank under the bed in front of the passenger side front spring mount, out side the frame rail. I have my compressor mounted under rear seat along with lockable tool drawer. Ill see if i can upload pictures sometime soon.
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From: Milky Way Galaxy
It sounds like Wolffee's right with what you want to do, getting away from the weak ARB and going with one of the stronger ones like VIAIR might be a better option. ARB's are great for locking/unlocking lockers, but not much else. I've seen people do some creative stuff mounting compressors and tanks on jeeps, so with the room we have under our trucks, the sky's the limit, get home take a peek and you'll find more than a few places. Look into getting a custom tank made to fit were you want it go and you're pretty much done. Once you have that installed it'll be time to start looking at where to mount the welder, I recommend the Premier power welders.
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From: Phenix City, AL
Originally Posted by EnviroCon
It sounds like Wolffee's right with what you want to do, getting away from the weak ARB and going with one of the stronger ones like VIAIR might be a better option. ARB's are great for locking/unlocking lockers, but not much else. I've seen people do some creative stuff mounting compressors and tanks on jeeps, so with the room we have under our trucks, the sky's the limit, get home take a peek and you'll find more than a few places. Look into getting a custom tank made to fit were you want it go and you're pretty much done. Once you have that installed it'll be time to start looking at where to mount the welder, I recommend the Premier power welders.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Mifflin, PA
I had come to the same conclusion some time ago about a frame mounted tank, as I wanted to (still do) get an airhorn installed. Biggest stumbling block is the compressor. '05 Scab 4X4 with 5.4, and installing an engine driven compressor is going to be one huge PITA! No room, period. And the drive system is horrendous to contemplate modifying. 
Looks like best bet is a 12V compressor, one big enough to do the job is mucho $$$. One thing I did have years ago was a nitrogen bottle with a regulator that would go to 100#, with air chuck and hose attached. Could fill a number of tires from one bottle of nitrogen, and refill was cheap.
Looks like best bet is a 12V compressor, one big enough to do the job is mucho $$$. One thing I did have years ago was a nitrogen bottle with a regulator that would go to 100#, with air chuck and hose attached. Could fill a number of tires from one bottle of nitrogen, and refill was cheap.
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From: Phenix City, AL
Yeah, the compressor is definitely too small to fill the tanks from empty. Like I was saying though, I mainly want to use the ARB just to maintain them (i.e. top off before use, etc.). I'll fill them off the compressor at the house. That's why I want the two 10 gal tanks, so it has the reserve capacity to do what I would want while out and about. Mostly it would be getting used on the ATV's, and topping off tires. Plenty of air in those tanks for that. I'd do any big fills at the house or a gas station.
I would like a bigger compressor, it's just not a BIG priority. Having the air in any form is more a matter of convienience, rather than necessity. If I was using it to run air tools at a job site or on a plasma cutter, then yeah I would definitely need a bigger compressor.
I would like a bigger compressor, it's just not a BIG priority. Having the air in any form is more a matter of convienience, rather than necessity. If I was using it to run air tools at a job site or on a plasma cutter, then yeah I would definitely need a bigger compressor.
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Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Longview, WA
Does anyone know of a good source for affordable tanks? I work at Freightliner and can buy parts at cost, so you would think it would be no problem to just get one from work, right? Well, apparently there is some liability issue. People buying tanks, overpressurizing them, blowing them up, blaming the company for their lack of common sense, etc, so they won't sell me a tank. It's too bad, too. I found a real nice size tank I wanted ...about 5 gallons, and it would have cost me $20. Looking at comparable tanks online it is more like $50 and up. I've already got the compressor ordered and on it's way, and I've already got my horn. Now I will just have to figure out where I want to mount it all.
Matt
Matt
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
We've been talking about the passenger side frame rails, between the frame and body. Seems to be a lot of room there for a tank.
I'm just looking at a few of the tanks at AutoZone, Advance Auto, etc. They have 5 and 10 gal tanks for fairly cheap.
I'm just looking at a few of the tanks at AutoZone, Advance Auto, etc. They have 5 and 10 gal tanks for fairly cheap.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Allen, Tx
Here are a few pics of my 3 gallon tank anf the battery box that houses the 20A medium-duty compressor:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89960&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89961&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89962&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89960&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89961&width=0
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...=89962&width=0
Posting Guru
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From: Allen, Tx
I don't remember the brand it is but it is powerful enough to fill my 33x10R16's. I run the tank to 125PSI. I have a 150PSI safety valve at the bottom which also serves as a water drain. The tank feeds and air horn and also a quick-disconnect air fitting. (The red hose you see running to the passenger tube step.) I plug in a hose from there to either fill the tires or with an air sprayer to clean stuff out with. I had originally installed it to run a rear-axle ARB but the complexity of this system sort of scared me. (Especially the part about drilling the axle housing.) I am thinking of replacing this (too small) tank with a 10 gallon tank from a semi truck's air brake system. There's not a lot of room there. Under the cab, you can fit an 8" diameter tank. If I wanted to put something bigger than what I have, I would have to swap positions with the battery box/compressor. There is 15" between the frame rail and the side of the bed in the current compressor position. Size wouldn't be a concern if you decide to put it in the spare tire location though.
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From: Allen, Tx
You may be able to fit a 10" diameter tank, but I would be worried about contact with the cab when the truck was bouncing around. As you can see, those three cab braces are kinda in the way. The spot I selected was the only place under the cab where there was no interference with frame bolts. You probably have extra bolts because your truck has a transfer case too. I used 2 existing frame holes and I had to drill 2 extra holes. (That was a b*tch with a 10-year old cordless drill and drill bits duller than watching a chess tournament on TV...)
On Edit, you probably have more room under the cab than I do since I only have a 137" wheelbase truck.
On Edit, you probably have more room under the cab than I do since I only have a 137" wheelbase truck.
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From: Allen, Tx
Oh, and something else I found out the hard way: do not use L brackets to mount the tank! No matter how thick you get those L brackets, the tank will bounce viciously under the cab and if you use air-brake style quick fittings, they will leak when you're driving and the compressor will cycle on often. Once I figured this out and bolted the tank to the frame, the leaking stopped. The tank is very heavy, BTW, too heavy for L braketery of the common variety.
Last edited by n578md; Sep 23, 2005 at 12:33 AM.