OBA Options for 37's and air tools

[thenag]

I know you said you don't weld so making your own is probably out of the question but I will throw in my .02 on Yorks.
I don't know how a vair compares to a york, but I have always loved my york and on both vehicles I have kept my a/c.
I have less than $400.00 into my york setup but it is a lot of time and fabrication.
If I can fit everything under the hood of my xj I am sure it can be done to a JK.
Also since the pulley free spins it shouldn't rob any (significant) power from the motor unless you have it on. (idling in a parking lot airing up tires or running air tools doesn't require a lot of horse power for the vehicle)
My xj I have all the stock items under the hood, (A/C cruise control etc) I removed the air box, added a charcoal canister, have 2 batteries, and added a york for OBA.

here are some crowded pics
post # 1
http://www.rme4x4.com/showthread.php?83436-Nathan-and-Tanja-s-99-XJ-Build-up

Nathan

 

[DToy]

I've got a viair 450C with a 3 gallon tank on my '04.5 dodge for my air horns. It's nice because it's 100% duty cycle, but even airing up the 35's on my truck I have to wait for the compressor to catch up. Running air tools on it for doing much more than pulling a tire turns into a waiting game. It will do what you're asking, but not as fast as you would probably like. I'd look into some type of a dual compressor setup if it was me...I wish that I had.

I carry a CO2 tank in my crawler and I LOVE it. Makes airing up 42's super quick. I've run impact guns with it, re-seated tire beads, etc. and for that stuff there's nothing better. Maybe consider a Puma compressor and a CO2 tank - best of both.

 

[moab_cj5]

After doing more research, talking to a few people, and then reading more about the 2 options I narrowed this down to, I opted to buy the ARB dual compressor. I hope DAA's experience is just a one off thing and I won't have similar problems. I am confident that ARB will make it right if I do have issues. Because of the potential for needing warranty work, I opted to buy from Kurt at Crusier Outfitters so I have a local point of contact.

Since most of us are picture deprived , I thought I would include some pics of the process I am going through.

Here is the box and contents. Very nice setup!


Saturday I tried to figure out where to mount this beast, and after some thought and inspection of my Jeep, determined that under the passenger seat was indeed the best place for me to mount this (thank Kurt for googling this and showing me the pictures).

5 bolts, 2 wires for the dvd headrest, and the seat is out (4 holding the seat down, 1 holding the seatbelt to the seat).


Instead of buying bracket, I thought it would be easy enough to build my own. Easier said than done. Since I can't weld (a problem I will rectify eventually), I called my Pop to come over and give me a hand with his welder.

He had some flat stock that he brought with him, so we got to work. I cut, drilled, and ground. He welded.



I copied the template for holes from the instructions and drilled some holes to mount the compressor. Then I put it under the seat and put it back in the Jeep for a test fit.



It was a little too close to the carpet for my taste. I was worried it would get too hot and melt the carpet, or worse, burn it. It also made it difficult to get the hose connected to the quick connect because it was so low. Out came the seat again and I went to plan B.

I unbolted the seat from the runners, notched the bracket to fit the new bolt pattern, and bolted it back up.



On the bench it looked good, so into the Jeep the seat went again for a test fit.



Everything looked good until I went to slide the seat around. Because it is mounted to the seat side of the sliders, the compressor was too close to the drivers side and hits the seat support when you slide the seat forward.



I like the height, but I can't have my seat travel limited, so on to plan C. It was about 12:30 am when I got to this point, so I bolted it all together and gave up for the weekend.

I need to bolt this together between the sliders and the supports so it is stationary, but I need more height to get the compressor further from the carpet. There is plenty of room to stuff it higher under the seat, so I will pull the seat, unbolt everything, and modify the bracket. I will bend a Z into the outside legs to move the compressor closer to the outside and raise it about 2 to 3 inches, then bend 2 more Z's and have them welded to the other legs to match the height of the other side. This will get me the clearance under the compressor I need, keep the compressor stationary and more hidden, but give me easy access to plug my hose in.

More updates next weekend when I get back to working on it.

 

[DAA]

I hope DAA's experience is just a one off thing...

Definitely not. Two out of the three other owners I've talked to have the same problem. That's guys I have actually met and spoken to. Have read about it from other sources. It's definitely not a one off thing.

Because of the potential for needing warranty work, I opted to buy from Kurt at Crusier Outfitters so I have a local point of contact.

Good call. Kurt did follow up with ARB on behalf of my situation, they think they know what it is and a new controller is on it's way in his next regular parts shipment. I'll install it and hopefully live happily ever after. Kurt will do what he can for you, if you need it, that is for sure. I just wouldn't be too awfully surprised if it turns out you do need it...

- DAA

 

[moab_cj5]

I guess if it performs the way it is supposed to, it is worth the risk. Thanks for the input!

 

[STAG]

Not to hijack the thread, but I think a 20# co2 powertank would be the best option for me, for those of you who have powertanks, where do you get them filled?

 

[sLcREX]

Progress is looking good! Do you think the passenger seat will vibrate with the compressor running? Since it's mounted straight to the bracket, or are these compressors pretty smooth operating?

 

[moab_cj5]

I don't think you are going to want to be in the jeep when the compressor comes on, let alone sitting in that seat. I'll check all that out once I get it mounted up and wired.

I worried about it for a minute, but decided it wouldn't be a big deal (I hope).

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Good call. Kurt did follow up with ARB on behalf of my situation, they think they know what it is and a new controller is on it's way in his next regular parts shipment. I'll install it and hopefully live happily ever after. Kurt will do what he can for you, if you need it, that is for sure. I just wouldn't be too awfully surprised if it turns out you do need it...

- DAA

Box here for you, should fix up your compressor and give you a spare controller for the future. I'm out tomorrow (Bryce is in) but will be in next week.

 

[mbryson]

DAA, I could provide courier service fairly easily. I work somewhat close to CruiserOutfitters. Let me know if you want me to play delivery boy. (I was just there this afternoon )