Have any of you installed an on-board air compressor in the engine compartment? I'm wondering how easy this is to do, where it could be installed, and for ideas on brands of compressors. I was thinking it might be nice to have an on-board compressor to make airing down (and back up) easier on the trail. I suppose I could just throw in a portable compressor, but it would be nicer just to have one always ready to go.

 

Check here. Not sure if they have anything for the JK yet. Kilby

 

Those are nice, but I was thinking of something a little more economical like this unit. It says it's designed to be mounted to your vehicle. I'm assuming that means like under the hood or something???

 

I thought I should explain in more detail what I'm looking for here. I simply want a compressor to refill tires after airing down on the trail. I don't need an auxilliary air tank, because I don't plan on using it to power air tools, air lockers, etc. I just want to be able to refill my tires.

A portable system would work perfectly for this, but I thought it would be handy to have something permanently mounted under the hood, so that I don't have to remember to throw in the portable compressor every time I head off-road. Perhaps it would be possible to permanently mount a "portable" compressor and just hook it to the battery when I need it. Or maybe it would be better to buy a hard mount compressor like the Viair 450c. That's what I'm trying to determine, and I'm wondering what you guys recommend and what has worked for you in the past.

 

I mounted a Viair air compressor very simular to the one you are looking at..I mounted it on the u shaped channel the runs below and across the frame ends behind the front bumper..But I have an aftermarket bumper and a winch not sure how it would work with a stock set up...Here's a couple pic's

 

The last conversation I had with a guy at Kilby's (I don't have the name here at work). I was basically told "We do not forsee a OBA setup being released anytime soon for the JK's, we are currently working on other projects for them." I almost felt like I was bothering him for some reason asking about a product I wanted to buy from him. I know I didn't talk to Brad. Now Off Road Only should have something cooked up for their AiROCK setup that is coming. So I will wait and see who has the setup. It would be nice to do one stop shopping for a complete AiROCK kit. I don't know when AiROCK will be released, but is should be with in a month or two. Hopefully.

Ron

 

I personally like the Power Tank. It might be more expensive, but they really are portable.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/PLT100111T67T198.aspx




...then again, it might be easier/cheaper just to mount an air compressor.

 

My concern with the tanks is they seem too portable. I'm concerend about something like that getting stolen. I suppose if you could stuff it under hood so it's out of sight.
Whatever route I take with this I want it with me all the time. I don't want have to load up before I decide to leave the road.

 

I've been trying to figure out the same thing. Where to put and which to buy? The majority of my wheeling will be on the beach so airing down is a necessity and airing back up with onboard air would be awesome. The one thing I've found be asking local beach guys is get the highest duty cycle you can afford at the right psi/cfm. You don't want to take 5 mins to refill 1 tire and have to wait 15 mins for the comp to cool down. I'll probably be installing a 3gallon tank as well to help out with a lil' reserve air. I've been beach running for a long time but have yet to buy a compressor. It's not as simple as I thought it would be! hahah.

 

You can do this on your own for under $150. Any beverage supply will have tanks and any welding supply will have regulators.