- First Name
- Thomas
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2021
- Threads
- 20
- Messages
- 887
- Reaction score
- 3,072
- Location
- Tacoma, WA
- Vehicle(s)
- 03 Marauder, 66 Mustang GT, 65 Ranchero, 64 Comet
- Your Bronco Model
- Badlands
- Thread starter
- #1
I intended to build an on-board air set-up using an upfitter switch, but after building this kit, I'm keeping it just like it is.
First I built the deflation set using lock-on tire chucks ($5.99) [x4] and 1/4" ball valves ($4.69) [x4].
That's all you'll need to air down in no time at all. Just open the ball valves and watch your air pressures go down on your display.
The air compressor and hose set-up connects directly into these. I used two of these industrial coupler and plug kits ($19.99 each) [×2]
After looking at comparisons online, the air compressor I used was Smittybilt's S/B2781. Purchased at 4WP for $183.
SPECIFICATIONS
Duty Cycle:40 Minutes @ 40 psi
Maximum Air Pressure:150 PSI.
Amp Draw:36 to 50 Amps
Voltage:12 Volt
5.65 CFM (Cubic foot per minute) air intake
With a duty cycle of 40 min, you won't have to let it rest unless you do multiple vehicles. Actually, one of the reasons I decided to not build it into the Bronco is so I can lend a hand to others that don't have a kit.
The wheelbase of a 2dr needs about a 10 ft hose to connect the rear wheels to the front. For this section, I bought a 25 ft 3/8" hose ($15.99) [x1], cut it in half and added a male threaded end with barb from a repair kit on each end ($2.79) [x4]. This 12.5 ft section would work for a 4dr as well.
The hose has a coupler on the downstream end and a plug on the upstream end.
To connect both the front and rear wheel to the compressor, I used a 1/4" T-fitting ($3.99) [x4] with two couplers and one plug.
For the section from the compressor to the front wheels, I used two T-connectors - one to connect the two 8 ft sections of hose - and the other to add in a 160 PSI gauge ($5.99) [x1], which can be used in multiple configurations.
I cut off the Smittybilt connector and converted it to an industrial coupler to be consistent with the rest of the connectors.
I bolted the compressor into a Pelican case (approx 16×12×6) I already had on hand. This is what it looks like as a complete "kit".
Note: Several of the pics were taken during dry fitting. Make sure you use a good amount of teflon tape on your connections. One of the benefits of using the Merlin red plug and fitting set is that most of the fittings have thread sealant already applied.
This is what it looks like in use. The power connectors go directly to the (+) and (-) battery terminals. The two wheels are connected by the T-connectors.
PERFORMANCE
20 PSI to 40 PSI: 8 min 20 sec
(The first 20 PSI to 30 PSI took 3 min 40 sec.)
I used the original Smittybilt bag for hose and connector storage.
Total cost was $341 ($183 for the compressor and $158 for the hoses and fittings). Add in another $65 for HF's Apache 4800 case, if you want one.
Edit: First time using it on the trail for several hours of wheeling. Super easy.
First I built the deflation set using lock-on tire chucks ($5.99) [x4] and 1/4" ball valves ($4.69) [x4].
That's all you'll need to air down in no time at all. Just open the ball valves and watch your air pressures go down on your display.
The air compressor and hose set-up connects directly into these. I used two of these industrial coupler and plug kits ($19.99 each) [×2]
After looking at comparisons online, the air compressor I used was Smittybilt's S/B2781. Purchased at 4WP for $183.
SPECIFICATIONS
Duty Cycle:40 Minutes @ 40 psi
Maximum Air Pressure:150 PSI.
Amp Draw:36 to 50 Amps
Voltage:12 Volt
5.65 CFM (Cubic foot per minute) air intake
With a duty cycle of 40 min, you won't have to let it rest unless you do multiple vehicles. Actually, one of the reasons I decided to not build it into the Bronco is so I can lend a hand to others that don't have a kit.
The wheelbase of a 2dr needs about a 10 ft hose to connect the rear wheels to the front. For this section, I bought a 25 ft 3/8" hose ($15.99) [x1], cut it in half and added a male threaded end with barb from a repair kit on each end ($2.79) [x4]. This 12.5 ft section would work for a 4dr as well.
The hose has a coupler on the downstream end and a plug on the upstream end.
To connect both the front and rear wheel to the compressor, I used a 1/4" T-fitting ($3.99) [x4] with two couplers and one plug.
For the section from the compressor to the front wheels, I used two T-connectors - one to connect the two 8 ft sections of hose - and the other to add in a 160 PSI gauge ($5.99) [x1], which can be used in multiple configurations.
I cut off the Smittybilt connector and converted it to an industrial coupler to be consistent with the rest of the connectors.
I bolted the compressor into a Pelican case (approx 16×12×6) I already had on hand. This is what it looks like as a complete "kit".
Note: Several of the pics were taken during dry fitting. Make sure you use a good amount of teflon tape on your connections. One of the benefits of using the Merlin red plug and fitting set is that most of the fittings have thread sealant already applied.
This is what it looks like in use. The power connectors go directly to the (+) and (-) battery terminals. The two wheels are connected by the T-connectors.
PERFORMANCE
20 PSI to 40 PSI: 8 min 20 sec
(The first 20 PSI to 30 PSI took 3 min 40 sec.)
I used the original Smittybilt bag for hose and connector storage.
Total cost was $341 ($183 for the compressor and $158 for the hoses and fittings). Add in another $65 for HF's Apache 4800 case, if you want one.
Edit: First time using it on the trail for several hours of wheeling. Super easy.
Sponsored
Last edited:
No big deal. At some point I’ll probably get an ARB.
