Onboard Air System Help - What and Where?

[Bumbo]

I purchased a portable (Viair 400P) and have been using that successfully since I got it; used for airing up after a trail, and also to have in the truck for emergency repair for flats on a road trip.

If I know I wont be airing down I end up taking it as part of my emergency kit but it tends to take up a bit of valuable space at times on long road trips or to my local OHV spot. Its also another loose piece of kit I have to juggle around and something I almost never need to touch.

If its only for emergency, I don't really need the volume, size, and duty cycle of the 400P...

I started looking at Onboard Air system, and as much as I would like the 400P on board, I dont have room for it.

Since its only for repair, I was thinking of their smaller dinky units...
VIAIR Corporation - Quarter Duty Onboard Air System (P/N 10002)
and if I cant fit that either...
VIAIR Corporation - Ultra-Light Duty Onboard Air System (P/N 10000)

Anyone have any experience with either one of those small compressors? Id like to put it under the hood.

I dont really need the tank, but I would love to have it and try and find a place for that as well. I could always plumb a connection to it for the 400P if I actually needed the volume. It also gives me redundancy and also future proof myself if I ever decide to get air lockers.

Where are you guys putting your air systems on your rig?

 

[Krayziekid]

I purchased a portable (Viair 400P) and have been using that successfully since I got it; used for airing up after a trail, and also to have in the truck for emergency repair for flats on a road trip.

If I know I wont be airing down I end up taking it as part of my emergency kit but it tends to take up a bit of valuable space at times on long road trips or to my local OHV spot. Its also another loose piece of kit I have to juggle around and something I almost never need to touch.

If its only for emergency, I don't really need the volume, size, and duty cycle of the 400P...

I started looking at Onboard Air system, and as much as I would like the 400P on board, I dont have room for it.

Since its only for repair, I was thinking of their smaller dinky units...
VIAIR Corporation - Quarter Duty Onboard Air System (P/N 10002)
and if I cant fit that either...
VIAIR Corporation - Ultra-Light Duty Onboard Air System (P/N 10000)

Anyone have any experience with either one of those small compressors? Id like to put it under the hood.

I dont really need the tank, but I would love to have it and try and find a place for that as well. I could always plumb a connection to it for the 400P if I actually needed the volume. It also gives me redundancy and also future proof myself if I ever decide to get air lockers.

Where are you guys putting your air systems on your rig?

I currently use the ARB Twin Compressor under my hood. I have it permanently mounted there and it is fantastic. There are pics in my build thread (check my signature). Sure it is expensive, but it has been well worth the money and I can move it to a new vehicle when I purchase one. They make a single version of the compressor that a lot of people love and comes in at half the price.

As for those two compressors, they don't look worth it whatsoever. The big question is what are your goals for this OBA system? Do you want to just air up after wheeling? Do you want to run lockers? Air horns? Power tools? All of those questions matter.

Either way, those compressors are super light duty. They have extremely low duty cycle rates (10% and 25%), meaning that in a 60 minute period, they can only run for 6 minutes, and 15 minutes respectively, and the rest of the time is spent waiting until you can run it again. At the CFM they run at, that likely won't even get a single tire filled all the way up. Those compressors are meant for Air Horns and Air Lockers since it takes a very small amount of pressure/airflow to actually activate both.

Just some stuff to keep in mind. If you are going to invest in OBA, I recommend doing it right the first time.

 

[RonJR]

I have the VIAIR 400C compressor (which I think is the same actual compressor as your 400P, just the install version) on my '94 4runner. The 400C is 2.6 CFM with a 33% duty cycle and has no problem airing up 4 BFG 33/10.50/15 tires from 20 psi to 35 psi in a bit over 5 minutes total.

I ordered the VIAIR complete kit (P/N 10005), but could not find a place to mount the tank in my '94, so installed without it, and have had no issues because of that. The compressor itself mounts nicely on the left fender under the hood on the '94, and would easily fit on the right fender on the 4th gen 4runner.

I think VIAIR sells a kit without the tank, which is probably the way to go. That way you get all of the other pieces you need (regulator, pressure switch, connection lines, gauge, panel switch, etc.)

You could probably dismantle your 400P system and install it under the hood by separating the components and connecting them with some short lengths of airline. Depends on how creative you are.

 

[Bumbo]

I currently use the ARB Twin Compressor under my hood. I have it permanently mounted there and it is fantastic. There are pics in my build thread (check my signature). Sure it is expensive, but it has been well worth the money and I can move it to a new vehicle when I purchase one. They make a single version of the compressor that a lot of people love and comes in at half the price.

As for those two compressors, they don't look worth it whatsoever. The big question is what are your goals for this OBA system? Do you want to just air up after wheeling? Do you want to run lockers? Air horns? Power tools? All of those questions matter.

Either way, those compressors are super light duty. They have extremely low duty cycle rates (10% and 25%), meaning that in a 60 minute period, they can only run for 6 minutes, and 15 minutes respectively, and the rest of the time is spent waiting until you can run it again. At the CFM they run at, that likely won't even get a single tire filled all the way up. Those compressors are meant for Air Horns and Air Lockers since it takes a very small amount of pressure/airflow to actually activate both.

Just some stuff to keep in mind. If you are going to invest in OBA, I recommend doing it right the first time.

I already have a 400P which I use for air up and down... if I know I am going to air up/down, I am bringing that portable with me regardless.

What I wanted was something super small and compact just to have air on the truck for emergency use... I dont always need high CFM and duty cycle as I mentioned in my OP. That way I dont have extra gear getting in my way...

I looked at your pictures... I cant install it there as I have a dual battery setup already... I have have a Blue Sea ACR, LVD, and a fuse panel on the passenger side of the car... I got a lot of electrical equipment like lighting, fridge and communications equipment + repeater so there is no way I am removing (or moving) the 2nd battery.

The only available space I have under the hood is right behind the passenger headlight... but its not enough to fit the 400C or an ARB twin... I need something small or find a new location?

I know those compressors are light duty, but I dont intend on using it to air up/down all 4's, but I would like to add ARB air lockers down the road and need to get the air stuff squared away.

 

[Bumbo]

I have the VIAIR 400C compressor (which I think is the same actual compressor as your 400P, just the install version) on my '94 4runner. The 400C is 2.6 CFM with a 33% duty cycle and has no problem airing up 4 BFG 33/10.50/15 tires from 20 psi to 35 psi in a bit over 5 minutes total.

I ordered the VIAIR complete kit (P/N 10005), but could not find a place to mount the tank in my '94, so installed without it, and have had no issues because of that. The compressor itself mounts nicely on the left fender under the hood on the '94, and would easily fit on the right fender on the 4th gen 4runner.

I think VIAIR sells a kit without the tank, which is probably the way to go. That way you get all of the other pieces you need (regulator, pressure switch, connection lines, gauge, panel switch, etc.)

You could probably dismantle your 400P system and install it under the hood by separating the components and connecting them with some short lengths of airline. Depends on how creative you are.

There is no way I can fit the 400P with the base removed... thats the only reason I am looking for a small compressor for under hood install.

Do you know of any other places you might have been able to fit the 400C anywhere else on the rig?

 

[JimInTN]

Personally, I'd ditch the viair and go puma.

Best bang for the buck performance!

$233 shipped and more output.

 

[Bumbo]

Personally, I'd ditch the viair and go puma.

Best bang for the buck performance!

$233 shipped and more output.

Link?

Which model and where have you seen them installed?

 

[JimInTN]

Link?

Which model and where have you seen them installed?

12 Volt 1 5 Gal Air Compressor Puma Hotdog PD 1006 | eBay

The compressor and tank can be separated, but as is they're a ready to go package.

 

[Drunner97]

I already have a 400P which I use for air up and down... if I know I am going to air up/down, I am bringing that portable with me regardless.

What I wanted was something super small and compact just to have air on the truck for emergency use... I dont always need high CFM and duty cycle as I mentioned in my OP. That way I dont have extra gear getting in my way...

I looked at your pictures... I cant install it there as I have a dual battery setup already... I have have a Blue Sea ACR, LVD, and a fuse panel on the passenger side of the car... I got a lot of electrical equipment like lighting, fridge and communications equipment + repeater so there is no way I am removing (or moving) the 2nd battery.

The only available space I have under the hood is right behind the passenger headlight... but its not enough to fit the 400C or an ARB twin... I need something small or find a new location?

I know those compressors are light duty, but I dont intend on using it to air up/down all 4's, but I would like to add ARB air lockers down the road and need to get the air stuff squared away.

Mounted my single here temporarily. It's going to get its own box eventually when I build cargo boxes.







Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

 

[Civiceg94]

Is their a possibility of mounting the compressor in the back by the spare tore and have the tank mounted under the hood ?