So I crossed a couple more items off of the list the other night on the Jeep.
I’ve always ran 12-volt air compressors for airing up my tires after off-roading. With all of my previous Jeeps I used portable units that I merely took out of the back and connected to my battery when finishing up the trails. In my current Jeep I have had about every variety of electric air compressors from a full blown closed on-board air system with tank to an open compressor without tank and to be perfectly honest none of them have impressed me all that much. I was going to build me a York engine mounted system several years ago but at the time I was also starting the planning phase of my LS swap and knew there would be no spare space in the engine bay after the engine swap so didn’t waste my time.
The best setup I’ve had thus far has been my dual ARB compressors that I mounted under my passenger’s seat but it is still a bit slower than I would like. I have been contemplating a CO2 System for the past year and trying to decide if I was going to build a DIY system or splurge and just go with the king of CO2 systems, Powertank. My wife and I were trying to come up with something to get our son for Christmas and he wanted a Powertank System so while I was researching I ended up doing some dealing on two full 10 lb. systems with a spare 10 lb. tank.
With as many week long rally’s that my wife and I attend each year I don’t think a single tank will get us through a full week, especially when some days we are airing down and back up more than just once. With my large Mac’s toolbox a 15 lb. tank won’t fit so dual 10-pounders made perfect sense. My ARB compressors are out of the way and not interfering with anything so they will stay put. Besides, you know the old saying, “two is one and one is none”.
I’m relocating my fire extinguisher and mounting my dual 10 lb. tanks on my roll bar rear bars. Here is where they will reside.
Driver’s side aluminum mounting bracket mounted in place. This one will be mounted just a little lower on the rear roll bar because it will have the handle and regulator installed on it.
My passenger’s side tank will be a little higher because it won’t be equipped with handle or regulator but also so I can mount my fire extinguisher just inside the rear gate for easy access, fairly close to where it was mounted on the roll bar previously.
Mocking up a little bracket for the fire extinguisher.
Bracket welded.
Painted with bracket bolted in place.
Bolted in position.
Final shot of the rear storage area.
Lastly after finishing up CO2 tank mounting and fire extinguisher relocation I pulled items out of my toolbox that were specific to the Chrysler 3.8/42RLE combination and replaced with items specific for my new GM LS powertrain. Items like fluids, spare belts and assortment of fasteners specific to my GM powertrain are now being carried in my toolbox. I also changed the battery in my VOM and double checked my assortment of tools in preparation for the upcoming off-road season.
Thanks for looking.
Mike
