Air Tank/Compressor needs

[DHayden]

I need some expertise on air systems. I want to get a tank/compressor that will fulfill all of my future needs no matter what they are. I am looking at running air tools, air ride suspension, air/hydralic jack, air locker, maybe air horns. Obviously not all ran at once.



I think the air tools would require the most air over time requiring a bigger tank. I'm thinking an 8 or 12 gallon tank with plenty of ports and I'm not sure about a compressor. I'm thinking 150psi or 200psi (over kill?). With the 200 you wouldnt need a tank for short use . What do you guys think?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

If electric use something that has a 100% duty cycle. Companies like Viair are my favorite for that.



There is allways that Onboard air kit I have allways dreampt of tho

 

[DHayden]

I am considering Kilby or something like this



http://www.vtkustoms.com/Viair480.html



You can get a 8 gal tank for $30 something bucks on Ebay a 12 for $50 something... even chromed tanks arent to bad. Valves will be the most exensive part I think. Just wondering what is the best size pump and tank, a 5 gallon tank would probably be plenty for the truck. . maybe



EDIT: I just looked at the kilby link and thought there compressor sounded pretty nice then saw $875 and $ 1000 something

 

[rubberneck]

I have the kilby kit on my truck and i would never go back to an electric again. I use it constantly filling tires, air tools etc. I even keep an air jack in my truck. fixing flats on the side of the road is a dream with the air jack and impact Oo. I have a 1. 75 gallon tank mounted under the bed above the driveline, and it would be nice to have a larger one when using high volume tools like air grinders etc. With the high idler on, the thing flat puts out some air but not quite enough to keep up with those types of tools. I can still use them but need to pause slightly to let the truck catch up. i have been nothing but happy with it. I removed the pass side battery and installed an air manifold with pop off valve and pressure switch and a regulator. I have one dedicated quick connect that is regulated and 2 that are not. One is under the hood and the other is mounted on the reciever hitch in the rear. If you want to save a considerable amount on the kit, you can go the junkyard route if you dont mind putting in the leg work. the bracket kit which comes with the pulley and new belts is only 160 bucks if i remember correctly, and you can get the compressor/clutch from a junk yard. i opted to buy all new from kilby and dont regret it at all. My dad did the junk yard route and he is happy also, allthough he got the smaller cubic inch compressor. kilby has directions on his sight (at least he did) on how to identify the correct compressor/clutch to work with his bracket. If you spend the money, you will not be dissapointed. I have been down the electric path, and there is no comparison.

 

[rubberneck]

just checked out the onboard air site, and he has the 98. 5-2002 kit at 555. 00 for everything, that is a pretty good price, and the bracket kit is 155. 00



One tip i have, i did not like the adaptors for the pressure and suction lines that he sells. (didnt look pretty). I pulled the head off the compressor and taped it for 3/8 npt then put a. n. adaptors and #10 a. n. lines. they look sweet. I also drilled a hole in the bracket that mounts my afe megacannon and put the inlet filter by the air cleaner.

 

[DHayden]

Thanks for your input Rubberneck, sounds pretty good. So you think a 5 gallon tank would be more than enough?

 

[rubberneck]

5 gallons would be nice. I just didn't know where to put one. I have been thinking of going to a full air ride system. then there would be plenty of room where the rear spring hangers used to be for 2 good sized tanks up in the bed outside the frame.

 

[1dslram]

I have 2 Vair 380 compressors and 4 gal. of air storage. Running air tools even with the 100% duty cycle is out of the question. Just not enough cu. ft. min. I don't need a kirby and I just don't like the look of the ugly compressor on top of the engine.

Bruce

 

[rubberneck]

Yeah, its not the cutest thing in the world, but you can do a lot to dress it up. I have been planning on making a stainless cover for the top, and you can put some nice lines on it. heck, i spent almost as much on the A. N. lines as i did on the compressor. but hey its only money right and im pretty sure every stainless braided line you add to the engine compartment is good for 10-20 hp on the dyno :-laf .

 

[1dslram]

I have found that every stainless line a chrome part contrubutes to a 10 HP loss on the dyno. With more in chrome than the truck cost when I bought it, I have dropped from just under 600 to just under 500. Bummer!!!

Bruce

 

[Bob4x4]

5 gallons would be nice. I just didn't know where to put one. I have been thinking of going to a full air ride system. then there would be plenty of room where the rear spring hangers used to be for 2 good sized tanks up in the bed outside the frame.

I have mounted air tanks on both sides under the front corners of the bed. It was a tight fit but they are the biggest I have seen on a pick-up. They were air tanks meant for a big rig trailer..... DOT approved too.



Bob

 

[DWitcher]

How come they havent' come out with a 94-98. 4 kit yet?

 

[rubberneck]

I asked the same question, according to kilby, nobody would lend him their truck for a couple of weeks to fab up a prototype. Maybe there just isn't enough demand (I find that hard to believe). I made brackets that work sweet on a 1st gen, problem is to use them on a second gen 12v requires moving the radiator puke tank. No big deal, but maybe kilby felt that would keep people from wanting the kit. I dont know. I bought the double pulley from him and then made up my own brackets. wasn't too bad, just took some time.

 

[rubberneck]

I have mounted air tanks on both sides under the front corners of the bed. It was a tight fit but they are the biggest I have seen on a pick-up. They were air tanks meant for a big rig trailer..... DOT approved too.



Bob

That is a good spot, problem on my truck is that my traction bar mounts are there, so no good for me

 

[TRCM]

I have mounted air tanks on both sides under the front corners of the bed. It was a tight fit but they are the biggest I have seen on a pick-up. They were air tanks meant for a big rig trailer..... DOT approved too.



Bob

Same place and style tank I have, but I only have one, on the passengers side. You should be able to still mount it there even with the traction bar mounts.

 

[DWitcher]

I asked the same question, according to kilby, nobody would lend him their truck for a couple of weeks to fab up a prototype. Maybe there just isn't enough demand (I find that hard to believe). I made brackets that work sweet on a 1st gen, problem is to use them on a second gen 12v requires moving the radiator puke tank. No big deal, but maybe kilby felt that would keep people from wanting the kit. I dont know. I bought the double pulley from him and then made up my own brackets. wasn't too bad, just took some time.

Do you have any pic's of your fabbed air compressor setup?

 

[David Oxland]

How about this one if you got the money?

http://www.vmac.ca/underhood/video_win_high.htm

 

[1dslram]

David



There web site only lists a unit for the 3rd. Gen. trucks.

Bruce

 

[DWitcher]

Well there ya go. I guess I should fab some nice, easy to install, cheaply priced kits then.