delete

[ramblinChet]

delete

 

[Brewbud]

I am using the ARB twin air in the case with a tank. It moves between my truck and jeep so I haven't mounted it. It does well with 37s. I fill two tires at a time. It is somewhat big and heavy though.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I haven’t tackled this project yet, but the system I’m eyeing at the moment is this one. The tank is approx 6” diameter so it should tuck under the truck nicely, probably outboard of the frame under the cab. I will also mount the compressor under the truck or inside the topper, undecided yet. I will route an air line with quick connect on the rear and the front of the truck.

it claims filling a 37” with a full tank in 4 mins.

 

[Brewbud]

I haven’t tackled this project yet, but the system I’m eyeing at the moment is this one. The tank is approx 6” diameter so it should tuck under the truck nicely, probably outboard of the frame under the cab. I will also mount the compressor under the truck or inside the topper, undecided yet. I will route an air line with quick connect on the rear and the front of the truck.

it claims filling a 37” with a full tank in 4 mins.

View attachment 14369View attachment 14370

LOL.....I have that in my Amazon list too. Probably depend on whether I get the Decked system or not. If i get Decked I can store my portable in it.

 

[Phil T]

What onboard air system do you have that will fill 37s form 15-45 psi in a reasonable amount of time?

I am really interested in where you mounted your system also. It seems like most mount theirs on the frame rail although I recall seeing one that was mounted under the hood on the passenger side using a custom bracket. Thanks in advance and pictures or links are most appreciated!

It depends how good of shape your in.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

It seems like I will most likely go with an ExtremeAire Magnum compressor but I am still considering the Oasis XD3000-12 unit.

Yes, the Oasis is three times as expensive and three times as heavy but it is three times as fast with 8 CFM at 100 psi. What I really must do are some calculations to see how much time I will be saving, how frequently, etc. This compressor will only be used for airing up tires but this may be taking place several times per week.

Running compressor only or will you have a tank?

If you’re considering a tank, may I suggest looking for a “mini truck” tank that those kids use for their air suspensions.. they come in many shapes and sizes and have lots of ports on them.

when I converted the Sanden a/c compressor in my XJ to an on board air system, I used one of those tanks. I had enough ports to add a drain and a pressure gauge, a quick connect on the tank and a remote air line, and I still ended up with a port or two that were just plugged.

 

[Darkone]

@ramblinChet those two compressors are extremely impressive, probably the best you can get in the 12v.
The amp draw on those units is high, at what point would it be better to just run an engine mounted compressor. I mean you won’t run them without the engine running anyway. Not trying to derail just seeing what others opinion for choosin.

 

[McHenry2500]

I have also been interested in adding on-board air for my 2500. I noticed alot of people mount under the bed/cab on the frame rails but I'm leaning more towards mounting in my toolbox. Has anyone else done this?

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I have also been interested in adding on-board air for my 2500. I noticed alot of people mount under the bed/cab on the frame rails but I'm leaning more towards mounting in my toolbox. Has anyone else done this?

Air compressor in a sealed box doesn’t sound ok to me but now that I’m thinking about it ... As long as it has adequate air volume for both cooling and intake, I suppose it would be ok. I don’t know what volume would be required, though.

 

[McHenry2500]

I didn't realize how much space behind the seats the single cab had!

I don't need a BIG compressor as I'd just use it to air up ATV/SXS/Dirtbike tires. Maybe a trailer tire if it's low. Has anyone had good long term results from the VIAIR systems? These seem to be the standard for alot of the SXS groups I follow.

 

[Catmechanic]

I've wheeled for nearly 30 years and used just about every vehicle mounted electric compressor you can name. I'll never do electric again.

A repurposed AC compressor on-board air system is great but I don't know that anyone makes something for the Rams. My go-to for the past 5 years or so has been a Powertank. Easily mountable, portable, and crazy flow rate. Yeah you need to have it filled, but my 10lb tank costs about $10-$12 to fill and I can air twelve 37s from 6psi to 26psi on a single fill, and each tire takes about 30 seconds (faster if you install monster valves). It's also plenty of CFM to run air tools in a pinch. In a truck with so much space vs a Jeep, a 20lb tank would be easily mountable.

 

[Brewbud]

I've wheeled for nearly 30 years and used just about every vehicle mounted electric compressor you can name. I'll never do electric again.

A repurposed AC compressor on-board air system is great but I don't know that anyone makes something for the Rams. My go-to for the past 5 years or so has been a Powertank. Easily mountable, portable, and crazy flow rate. Yeah you need to have it filled, but my 10lb tank costs about $10-$12 to fill and I can air twelve 37s from 6psi to 26psi on a single fill, and each tire takes about 30 seconds (faster if you install monster valves). It's also plenty of CFM to run air tools in a pinch. In a truck with so much space vs a Jeep, a 20lb tank would be easily mountable.

Both are great options but I am just the opposite. I have the tanks (both CO2 and Nitrogen) but prefer the compressor. I am not worried about the extra few minutes. I do not like to travel with a CO2 tank inside my Jeep unless I have the top off. Mounted in the bed of the truck is no problem but I don't like the hassle and expense of filling it. Most of the places near me just want to exchange the tank instead of filling it. I already fill enough tanks as it is.

 

[Catmechanic]

Same here - been wheeling since '91 and have either tried or seen just about everything. It seems when it comes to electric compressors you get what you pay for and even then you need to make sure the compressor is correct for your application. I remember my first ARB compressor in '97 - it took forever to top off 32x10.5 inch tires in Moab at the end of the day.

And since I will be traveling full time I suspect I will be airing up and down at least a few times each week. For my application a power tank would be an expensive PITA. Being in a remote area and looking for a shop to fill my tank and that small cost would skyocket over the span of just a year - imagine five or ten years. I am building this rig to be as self sufficient as possible.

Have you ever run an ExtremeAire or an Oasis?

I've not owned either, but have seen both at jeep events. They were undoubtedly faster than Viair or ARB, but both seemed awfully large and heavy (and expensive).

If I were traveling full time I'd fabricate a bracket for a York AC compressor like OBA used to offer. Without question the best all around solution for portable air.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

I totally wish I could mount an engine driven York but my build requires two alternators and I really have no desire to play around with the accessories on the front of the engine. What I really like about the Oasis is the fact that it uses a York cylinder and simply drives it with a massive 12 Vdc motor.

View attachment 14496

At 62lb and two feet long that better be one hell of a 12v compressor. I’d rather run a smaller compressor with a tank if I’m going to give up that much real estate somewhere. That’s bigger than the 2.5 gallon viair tank. I’m not saying you’re doing it wrong, we’re all just discussing options

 

[McHenry2500]

As a relatively new off-road enthusiast (10ish years) what's the draw to a bigger compressor and no tank versus a smaller compressor and tank?

In the past I have carried a 12V compressor in my SXS when we went through long trails, it was adequate but cheap and I wouldn't trust it to do anything more than ATV/SXS tires.

 

[Darkone]

That oasis is massive but it also pumps out massive amounts of air too. I wanna say like 8 cfm at 100 psi. The real estate it needs though is definitely a hindrance. Even with a CCLB, frame mounting would be about the best location for me, especially if I didn’t wanna lose bed space

 

[Darkone]

As a relatively new off-road enthusiast (10ish years) what's the draw to a bigger compressor and no tank versus a smaller compressor and tank?

In the past I have carried a 12V compressor in my SXS when we went through long trails, it was adequate but cheap and I wouldn't trust it to do anything more than ATV/SXS tires.

A lot will depend on how fast you want to fill up. Once the smaller compressor has filled the tank, then you exhaust it filling a tire or whatever it has to fill the tank and the tire. A larger compressor on the other hand can pump larger volumes quicker and be easier on the compressor. Also to note working the smaller compressor harder will inevitably shorten its life span.

 

[AnthonyD1978]

FWIW I'm going to try to tackle mounting my Smitty 5.64 CFM compressor in my RAM box this weekend.

 

[Hooligan]

I have the portable Smiitybilt, airs up my 37s in about 4-5 minutes each. I will eventually hard mount it with a small tank. I’m looking to add mine o to the engine bay, may have to move the passenger side air box.

Just to add more, Puma brand has a good reputation.

 

[2powerwagons]

I gave up on the idea of a compressor solution a long time ago and went with a 15 lb CO2 Powertank.