On-Board Air Compressor

Page 3

 

Air Manifold

Next in the installation process is an air manifold. These can be purchased for between $20 and $45 depending on the amount of ports in them.  The alternative to a manifold is to use the ports on the stem of the pressure switch.

The manifold is mounted to the fender on the passenger side where the stock air box used to be. The manifold provides a solid mounting location for the air gauge, pressure switch, check/un-loader valve, air coupler and fittings for air out to accessories.

7/8" rubber crutch tips available at just about any hardware store can be used as caps on the air disconnects to keep out water and mud.

Connections between the manifold and the compressor as well as to the tank and secondary air manifold were made with 3/8" od nylon air tubing and SMC push fittings which require no tools to connect the hose. This also makes removal of individual components for maintenance much easier. 

Standard compression fittings were used on the stock metal tubes from the compressor.  The intake side uses 5/8" compression fittings and the output uses 1/2" fittings.   On the inlet Is the mist lubricator and K& N filter 

The output line runs through the oil removal (coalescing) filter then to the check/un-loader valve on the air manifold.

A surplus air tank that a friend had was mounted under the Jeep on the drivers side. The body lift allowed for extra room for the tank which has it's front end just inside the center skid plate so as to protect the fittings and the hose. The air tank hangs no lower than the muffler which is directly across on the other side. Seeing no dents in the muffler leads me to believe the tank should be fine in this location.

The compressor works very well and airs up quickly.  I estimate the CFM to be around 3 to 3.5.  In my opinion this is the only way to go for on-board air for the price.  Electric compressors just can't match the ability of this type of setup. 

We have already used the system for running air tools on the trail when one of our group broke an axle shaft, the performance was great.  With 2.5gal of air tank volume and the system pressurized to 120lbs I can cycle each ARB Locker about 20 times before the compressor has to come on.