So I have been wanting to add some on board air to my rig but not sure what to get. I will be upgrading to 35 inch tires soon so I want something that can fill them in a somewhat timely manner but also to be somewhat inexpensive. Also whats better to get a portable compressor or a compressor and tank? Only will need it for airing up tires after a run so 15-30ish psi.

Goals-
1) Compressor and Tank or portable?
2) Fill 35 inch tire in a somewhat timely manner
3) Inexpensive (if possible) looking $100-$150 range mostly

Another thing is could I get a cheaper portable compressor and a small tank such as a 1 gal? Would this make the airing up process quicker?

Viair makes a few on board air systems that seem pretty expensive, but some of their portable air compressors are around $150-200 and rated for a 35 inch tire. I was wondering if it would be better to get like a viair 300p portable air compressor for like $150 or a cheaper portable for like $60 and add a 1 gal viair tank for like $40 to total $100.

I'm open to any ideas just looking for a cheap and efficient way to air up after some trails.

Thanks!
Dom

 

anyone have a good solution for me?

 

This is what you're looking for. I plan on getting one soon as well. It's a bit more but seems well worth it in the long run. If you want a short term solution, I'd just find a decent alligator clip on air compressor for when/if you need it.

ARB High Output On-Board Air Compressor Under the Hood JK Installation Write-Up

 

Yeah the ARB is nice but pricey. If I were going to spend that much I'd go with a different set up though

 

evryone can knock me all you want on this one. but,

i bought a $60 compressor from harbor freight and has aired my 37x13.50 (4) from 10 psi to 30 psi with zero issues. i have not timed it, but if i had to gues, i would say 15-20 minutes for all 4 tires. i keep the arb separate to run only my lockers front and rear.

whatever you get keep in mind, compressors shut down on high temp shut offs, so you might want to rethink mounting under the hood. my cheap compressor has out performed those of friends who have theirs mounted under hood because mine is in rear or jeep.

a one gallone tank will help but not much, if you can fit it, personal opinion i recommend a 2.5 or 5 gal tank. i do not have the tank set up yet. with a 5 gal tank i bet it would air up even quicker. hope this helps

 

btw, this setup and tank can be done for about $120, to include tank, compressor, fittings, etc.... a little more for the pressure switch though.

but for the time being, i just keep the portable in the bag, connect it to the battery when im ready and air up.

you want to try to run your engine when the compressor is running, speeds things up

 

Just something to think about...

I picked up my ARB compressor with tire inflator kit and JK mount bracket used from a fellow forum member for $190. Thats a little outside your price range, but I mention it to point out that there are some awesome deals to be had on the used market.

 

the nickel and diming comes in when you get to fittings, hose, pressure switch, all the small stuff. personally on this , i am not bothering wth the name brand stuff. the harbor freight has proven me right and only spent $60 on it. the tank can be purchased, (harbor freight) for about $20-$30 and if you have one close by, then no shipping cost either.

 

Don't go cheap on air compressors. It is the first and best modification you should get. Every time you go off-road you will want to air down, and then air back up. Every time!! I can't think of any other mod that gets used EVERY time wheeling.
Therefore spend the money on a good compressor so that you don't waste hours waiting to go home (a slow compressor sure seems like hours).
I can fill my tires in about 15 minutes with my $275 Viair, and wish that it took still less time.

The ARB is an OK compressor, the Viair is better, the Warn winch/compressor is better still. These are in order of air output, and cost.

A tank is ok, if its full to begin with. Otherwise its like having an extra tire to have to fill. Plus a tank will not fill all of your tires (except for a CO2 tank), so you will need a compressor anyway. Hence forget the tank. (A 1 gallon tank will not fill a single tire )

The cheap $60 compressors are a waste of money and time. Your buddies will be ready to go before you fill a single tire. Look for the air output rating - that tells whether you should buy it or not. An ARB is 2.15 cfm (cubic feet per minute), my Viair is 2.5 cfm, the Warn is 5.0 cfm. What is the rating of the $60 compressor your thinking about? My guess is that it doesn't say.

 

wow, little pissy about cheap stuff huh. i bet you go out and brag about how much you spend on upgrades.

calm down dude, was just giving my experience with my cheap $60 piece of crap compressor that fills in about the same amount of time as yours.
yes, mine may not last as long, but it is getting the job done each and every time so far for a year now. but then again, with care, mine may outlast yours

i still have the box and will go check what the output is and it may not say what it is. this is just all my personal experience. thats what alot of this forum is, is peoples personal experiences with products, there are only a handfull or professional out there

i know you were not coming at me personally, but your post seemed a little intense there.