Heading out to some heavier trails, wondering about tire compressors.

[BlueWaffle]

Another item I wasn't willing to pay overland tax on, so I went with harbor freight. Many years later it's still flawless.

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[The Green Flash]

The first question you need to answer, do I want it mounted on board?

Positive: you’ll always have it with you, you don’t need to remember to pack it, you don’t have to find a spot for it, it is handy to have even on road— sometimes another motorist might need some air.

Downside: mounting it, wiring it, extra cost depending on where you want it to mount, if you buy a new vehicle it can be time consuming to remove it and remount it, space lost permanently.

I have had a viair mounted in a Jeep Wrangler that worked fine (was installed by previous owner), I mounted the ARB single under the hood of my Gladiator that worked great(easy because there was a good spot to mount it with an existing bracket for the engine cover), I went with a dual compressor that clips to the battery for the Bronco. When I traded in the Gladiator I was planning to remove the ARB, but once I realized that I did not run all the wiring with the intent of easy removal, I decided it wasn’t worth it. I keep a portable jumper and tire inflator in the Bronco for the day to day driving, and take my 4 tire hose and compressor when I go on trips, there is no wrong way to go, hope this helps.

Another down side to 'onboard' mounting: if you have more than one vehicle, onboard means youre buying multiple $300-$500 'investments'. Something portable (or... for the buzzword crowd, 'modular' ) is mo' better.

 

[vrtical]

Been running a dual EGOI onboard for couple years no issues.

 

[Dr Dan]

I use the Napa compressor, it is what most of the portable off road compressors are based on.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_MTWM10215C

I wish I saw this post a year ago. I will not admit to how much I paid for a clone of that. But on the bright side, I put in a warranty claim on it, they just replaced the whole thing instead of sending a piece worth pennies and I was able to fix the original. Now I have 2.

On a different note. For convenience, I have quick-connect plugs for the air compressor and my winch. Now I don't have to fiddle with gator clips under my hood while airing up.

 

[Jmanly]

i have the Thors Lightening mounted/hardwired plus the 4 hose setup. Great compressor - airs all 4 35's in under 6 min

 

[RedBeardoh]

Onboard ARB Single. I wish I had sprung for the double.

Had the single, used it on my Rangers 33s all the time. When I got the bronco I decide to sell the single and buy the double. Costly, but a day and night difference with the 35s. Running it with a morrflate 4 hose kit.

Pic is of recent install. It’s wired up now (please ignore the red white wires, they are gone now) still need to do a remote air chuck. Sucker gets HOT

 

[Gluestick]

I can’t say enough good things about the Apex air fittings, hoses and general ecosystem. I have their rapid connect valve stem tops on all 5 Sasquatch wheels with FP beadlock rings and you time the air down to specific pressures and write them on the sticker they provide, put it in a door jam.

Their hoses and valve stem couplers are the absolute best I have found by far. I used their Y connectors and built a 4-tire inflation setup that’s exactly the right size for my wheel base and replaced my indeflate four hose setup. I also have a long single hose for stealing air from the spare if necessary or extending my four hose setup to air up a buddy’s tires.

For air compressor, I have an underhood mount (from Injen, works with their airbox well); and mounted the traditional ARB twin “backwards” (filters to inside of vehicle) to accommodate tight clearance with a mishimoto coolant tank. I ditched the provided wiring and now use the Blaze Offroad power and switch wires - switch connected to the upfitters (aux6). This lets me turn on compressor without opening hood.

The air compressor air lines go from compressor to ARB manifold (absolutely unnecessary but I had the slick SDHQ side brackets), and I use the 90° low profile banjo style fittings from apex. The air line routes along the passenger side fender and terminates in the APEX quick disconnect panel port coming through the windshield cowl. Their 3/8 air hose is very flexible making routing easy, and you trim them with scissors or utility knife to exact length, and use their barb fittings.

End result: I can turn on air compressor from aux switch and connect four-hose setup to air back up after wheeling without removing limb risers to open the hood. 10/10 would recommend.

Doing it again, I’d only change my compressor to the brushless for higher flow.

also have tried the SDHQ switch and coupler setup — this thing was fantastic and I would recommend it over the KR Offroad coupler and switch bracket which I had before.

I went KR Offroad coupler/switch bracket —> SDHQ coupler switch bracket —> custom apex solution with Blaze Offroad upfitter power switch setup. I believe SDHQ has some of the slickest setups.

 

[Gluestick]

 

[RedBeardoh]

I can’t say enough good things about the Apex air fittings, hoses and general ecosystem. I have their rapid connect valve stem tops on all 5 Sasquatch wheels with FP beadlock rings and you time the air down to specific pressures and write them on the sticker they provide, put it in a door jam.

Their hoses and valve stem couplers are the absolute best I have found by far. I used their Y connectors and built a 4-tire inflation setup that’s exactly the right size for my wheel base and replaced my indeflate four hose setup. I also have a long single hose for stealing air from the spare if necessary or extending my four hose setup to air up a buddy’s tires.

For air compressor, I have an underhood mount (from Injen, works with their airbox well); and mounted the traditional ARB twin “backwards” (filters to inside of vehicle) to accommodate tight clearance with a mishimoto coolant tank. I ditched the provided wiring and now use the Blaze Offroad power and switch wires - switch connected to the upfitters (aux6). This lets me turn on compressor without opening hood.

The air compressor air lines go from compressor to ARB manifold (absolutely unnecessary but I had the slick SDHQ side brackets), and I use the 90° low profile banjo style fittings from apex. The air line routes along the passenger side fender and terminates in the APEX quick disconnect panel port coming through the windshield cowl. Their 3/8 air hose is very flexible making routing easy, and you trim them with scissors or utility knife to exact length, and use their barb fittings.

End result: I can turn on air compressor from aux switch and connect four-hose setup to air back up after wheeling without removing limb risers to open the hood. 10/10 would recommend.

Doing it again, I’d only change my compressor to the brushless for higher flow.

also have tried the SDHQ switch and coupler setup — this thing was fantastic and I would recommend it over the KR Offroad coupler and switch bracket which I had before.

I went KR Offroad coupler/switch bracket —> SDHQ coupler switch bracket —> custom apex solution with Blaze Offroad upfitter power switch setup. I believe SDHQ has some of the slickest setups.

Pics please sounds like a great setup and similar to the direction I’m working towards with my dual.

 

[RedBeardoh]

Pics please sounds like a great setup and similar to the direction I’m working towards with my dual.

wifi lag… I see you already did

 

[Fordified1]

I use the Napa compressor, it is what most of the portable off road compressors are based on.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/BK_MTWM10215C

I have basically the same compressor from @Tricky Mike . Works great. And a rhino 4-way hose. Mike may have that also.

 

[Jakob1972]

I have a Trickflate same as the Napa, Thors, Morrflate and others. Been super nice added the pressure switch and cut off. I also have the 4- tire hose kit from Morrflate. I keep the compressor in a harbor freight box and I too added an Anderson connector to make things easier. Can fill all 4 tires in about 8 minutes and that includes packing the hose and compressor up.

 

[Brian_B]

Ford carries a couple different versions of the ARB you can blow Ford Points on, and use whatever Discount codes are available today. Got my Twin ARB for like $200 that way.

If you want an external one, I'd recommend the Milwaukee compressors - can't go wrong no matter which you choose.

Don't go for cheap battery powered - I had a Ryobi and it was fine for filling up basketballs and the occasional lawnmower tire, but it took an hour and more than 2 batteries to top of 35s, and still didn't quite get them all the way to pressure..

 

[Tricky Mike]

I have basically the same compressor from @Tricky Mike . Works great. And a rhino 4-way hose. Mike may have that also.

Available on ebay.

 

[retiredarmymp]

I didn’t want on board air so I could move it to other vehicles when necessary. I purchased the Amazon ARB twin knock off and mounted it in a harbor. Freight box, works great.

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