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Kilby AirBoss on-board air system

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STEVEBROOKS

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I'm thinking about installing the Kilby AirBoss on-board air system on my truck. I looked through some older threads about this, and thought I'd see what anybody has to say (good and bad) about their Kilby system. Does anybody know for sure if it will/won't fit due to my AFE Stage I airbox? Thanks in advance for commenting in as much detail as possible.



Steve
 
Here is the system for your truck. .
I was tempted to get this for my 01 but ended up not doing as much off-roading as I thought I would. . Have not heard anything bad about them though.

::Kilby Enterprises::

I imagine that with the airbox you have it shouldn't be a problem. . call them to be sure
 
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I have looked into the Kilby and decided that it is an excellent compressor system. It's reliabilty and longevity are tops, BUT it is simply too much for my needs. I am now looking into the ExtremeAire or Extremeaire Magnum, as a reliable and sturdy compressor for my truck.
 
My primary rationale for (perhaps) going with the Kilby is due to airing down truck/toyhauler tires to get back into the dunes where we ride, then air up quickly when we leave. I also like the ability to run air tools off the system if needed. Comments have been positive so far; anybody have anything negative to say about the Kilby system?



Steve
 
I love my Kilby system. Nothing negative to say about it. I did a quick install thread on the Kilby Forum, there is also a pic of the install Brad Kilby did on his 03 in there (with AFE filter I believe). Kilby Enterprises Discussion Forums

I can build 150 psi in about 30 seconds when the idle is bumped up to 1500 on the truck, it is very nice. I will eventually plumb in switches to fill my air bags from the cab, but it works great just filling them from the rear bumper right now, when I hook up my trailer.
 
JCrockett,

THANKS for the info. Any chance of you posting some pictures of where you installed the various parts/routed the hoses?



Steve
 
I just got mine for my 03. I will install it this spring when the engine goes back in. I wanted it for my air operated exh brake as well as general purpose air when RVing. For me it's overkill, but it will outlast any dinky electric comp. Shadrach
 
Sure...

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Mount I made for the manifold, and bolted to Pass side battery tray

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Coalesing filter moutned behind Pass side of Front bumper #ad


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Ait tank mounted under pass rear door outside of frame #ad
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Air chuck mounted on frnt and rear bumpers

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This is from the thread I started on the Kilby Forum (link posted in above post)...



Brad

Thanks for the reply. I spent the weekend installing my system and I spent about 5-6 hrs Sat and 6-7 hrs Sun doing the install, this is off course with interuptions, lunch breaks, buddies stoppin by etc. I spent quiet sometime deciding where and how to mount my components once the compressor was in. Every truck is different and everyone has different needs. I decided to mount my Coalescing Filter behind my aftermarket bumper on the pass side. 2 reasons I did this, 1 was it was away from any heat (plus no place in engine bay to mount I was happy with), and second since I live in a cold climate I will more then likely have condensation to deal with, so the vavle is conveinet to get to and I can easily drain the oil out of the filer and not make a mess everywhere. Next I mounted the air manifold behind the pass battery box with a bracket I made, I used some 90* elbows off the manifold and made for nice routing for the hoses. I mounted my airtank on the outer frame rail on the Pass side under the rear door. I added 1. 5" to the bottom of the exisitng bracket, welded in the hole and drilled a new hole in the added length. I then cut and drilled a piece of 1/4" x 1. 5" flatbar to match the mount on the air tank, 4 3/8"x4" bolts and I clamped it to the frame. I may get some U-bolts made but the flat bar works fine for now. The air chucks were easy in that I welded the provided mount to my front bumper between my 2 center driving lights and drilled a hole in my rear bumper. Overall I am very happy with this system and all the components, a little more detailed instructions with photos would have been nice. I am mechanically inclined so it was not a problem to see how things fit together. What ate most of my time on Sat was trying to figure out the routing of the belt on the truck, I had no diagram under the hood so I ended up finding one on the TDR. I will post it here for future reference for other folks.

Brad way to go on the engineering of the compressor mount, I can't believe it all fits, it looks great in there! For anyone doubting this system and its output you will be amazed at what it can do! I set my high idle to 1500rpm and it is amazing how fast the pressure builds! My buddy is getting ready to install a 12V compressor on his truck and after seeing this system he was impressed. Well worth the $ IMO if you want OBA.
 
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Extreme aire

I'm thinking about installing the Kilby AirBoss on-board air system on my truck. I looked through some older threads about this, and thought I'd see what anybody has to say (good and bad) about their Kilby system. Does anybody know for sure if it will/won't fit due to my AFE Stage I airbox? Thanks in advance for commenting in as much detail as possible.



Steve

ExtremeAire Severe Duty 12 Volt Air Compressor, Continuous Duty Cycle Compressor, 3/4 Horsepower Fan Cooled Motor

I installed one of these on my truck it sits on top of my aux fuel tank in the bed under my shell. I use a 5 gal air tank from a truck air brake system. (I borrowed it from work) you can get one at any truck wrecking yard. I can run a 1/2 inch impact to change tires and my air jack. Dont want to do it the old way because im getting old or wiser I can figure it out yet. have 100 feet of air hose to reach the spare on the back of the TT. Also a great way to get a free breakfast just help someone out and their so happy that they buy:-laf
 
I have had the Kilby kit in my truck for a year now. No problems at all. When I istalled it I was using it for my exhaust brake. Since then I have installed twin turbo's so now it powers the air horn. :-laf



150 psi on tap is very nice.
 
I have a Kilby on the 01. Expensive and when I got it it was my only compressor. That was how I justified the cost. I now have a decent one in the garage and the Kilby rarely gets used. Although it is a GREAT compressor and kills everything else I looked at. I will run air tools no problem. I decided to try something a little more practical on the 06. I looked at the 12v units mentions above and finally decided on one of Warn's new pumps. I didn't think I could fit the twin under the truck so I got the single piston version. It's OK but I think I'm gonna try a the twin piston and sacrfic some bed space. I think the Warn compressors are the best 12v out now.



If you'll use your compressor a lot, get the Kilby.
 
Thanks to all for the replies. I talked with Brad Kilby about particulars of the system, and was greatly impressed with the time he took to explain set-up/options/etc. I'd previously heard that he gives great customer satisfaction, and I'm inclined to believe that now. I'll order the system soon, and will provide feedback after I use it.



Steve
 
My Kilby is mounted. I still have to finish the plumbing. It was a lot easier mounting it with the front end of the truck off. Since I just rebuilt my engine I also replaced the water pump and belt tensioner. I also bought an extra pair of belts since they are different from the stock set up.

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I mounted my filter down where JCrockett did and mounted my air manifold on the back of the battery box as well. I did mine slightly different as my truck is an 03 and I don't have anything back in that corner. I'll take pictures of the air manifold this weekend and show you how I did it. I upgraded the lines from the compressor to the filter and from the filter to the manifold as well as the first 4 feet from the manifold to the tank to # 10 stainless steel over nylon just like the class 8 trucks use from their air compressors. With all due respect to the Kilby people I did this as a personal choice. The s/s line will take the heat of the air and the heat in the engine compartment much better. OK so it's slightly overkill and will last me for almost ever. It also cost me an extra 100 buck to do this. The whole system is overkill for my exhaust brake but I didn't buy the hotrod toys that I had thought of originally.

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I used the supplied gray hose for the oil return to the comp and looped it out of the way securing it to the inner fender by drilling holes and using zip ties. This is all you see from the wheel well.

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Shadrach
 
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The s/s line is installed. It goes from the compressor towards the firewall, loops around and comes back behind the pass battery box and down to the filter and back up to behind the battery box to where the manifold is mounted.



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The back side of the pass box has three tabs on it. I took a piece of scrap metal and mounted the manifold there. It's not as fancy as the one shown earlier in this thread but it works



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This is my spare box I used for picture purposes as I didn't take the original one out. I am using an Isspro gauge mounted in the SRT10 pillar pod so the is a sender instead of a gauge. The fitting with the cap on it will go to the tank while the other one is for the line coming from the filter. I still have to mount the tank.



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JCrockett

I see from your pics that you have the Kilby system with a stock air filter box. I just finished installing the compressor on my truck today and after installation, there isn't enough clearance between the air box and the compressor to release or latch the spring clip between the compressor and the air box. I had to remove the air box again and reinstall it assembled with all the clips locked down. Not a big deal, but not looking forward to taking it out every time I chance the air filter. Wondering if you have this issue with yours or if there might be something goofy with my installation that is causing some interference.

If I have to, I'll go to an aftermarket air intake, but I'd rather not if I can avoid it...
 
That's a 6. 7 stk box in the picture. It's a lot easier to remove the lid as the "hinges" are on the opposite side and only 2 clips. Also the air minder gauge doesn't have to be moved. I tried it with the 5. 9 box and didn't have any clip problems just the overflow hose made it a bit difficult to remove the lid. Make sure the air box is seated fully in the grommets on the side of the battery box as that will cause fitting problems. Shadrach
 
CChase

I did not have any problems with my latch on the air box, it is a tight fit but I still can unlatch all of my clips with the compressor installed. Check to see your airbox is "seated" correctly. If it is, I am not sure what the issus is as our trucks are the same year. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the help - I'll see if I can't yank on the box a little and scoot it towards the passenger side a little more... at least now I know that it isn't "normal" and can try and address whatever's causing the problem on my specific truck.

Thanks again for the help.
 
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