I have been doing a TON of research on OBA or On Board Air and it is one of the most used modifications a 4x4 truck can have. Everyone knows that tires that are aired down have better traction on rocks & sand. The airing down part is easy, the airing up is the hard part. OBA takes care of these issues and adds an air supply to power tools and an ARB. Since I had all this information stored and together I thought that someone on the bronco site could use it as well.
I decided to use the CO2 tank since i have an extra one at my shop. I don't air down much and its more for the comfort of having it available in-case i do need to air down. It will take a lot of $15 fill-ups to make a Engine mounted York worth it for me.
There are 3 common ways to get OBA.
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Electric compressor
Average Price - High Quality $300
Ease of install – Very Easy
Dependability – Good
Air time – Very Long
Output - 105 psi, .77 CFM at 28 amp current draw (QuickairII)
Pros:
Very easy to install and transport. Ability to take from rig to rig.
Adding an air tank will greatly reduce air-up time, but only for the first tire or two.
Unlimited amount of air if you wait long enough.
Easy to find and can be stuffed into a bag. Small and compact.
Cons:
Long airtime, 10-15 minutes per tire, then you have to let the compressor cool down for 30 minutes.
They really don't produce all that much air.
Cannot run air tools off of electric compressor (with our without air tank)
Price is close to an engine mounted system by nowhere as fast or as reliable.
The main "con" for this one is the VERY low CFM at only .77 CFM (for a top of the line $300 system) it comes in dead last in the output catagory.
Parts Needed for install
None
Parts Needed for Use
Basic Compressor air kit (Normally comes with compressor and includes; Air Hoses, Tire fill tip)
NOTE: Electric compressors can be setup just like an engine mounted system with air tanks. They are setup the same way but use electricity instead of engine power. Please see diagram at the bottom of this post for reference.
Write up for a good electric compressor install –
http://www.bajataco.com/onboardair/quickair01.html
High Quality Compressors –
Quickair
Viair
Airzenith
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Compressed CO2
Average Price - $200 (+$15 per fill)
Ease of install - Easiest
Dependability - Mediocre
Air time – VERY Fast
CFM – up to 10 CFM on a 10 lbs tank
Pros:
Can fill up to 100 30" tires on one 15 lbs tank
Can be moved from rig to rig
can be taken out of truck for storage when not wheeling
Totally self contained;
zero installation,
no electrical or engine power required.
Not quite as expensive as the electric compressor options.
Produces a huge volume of air.
VERY fast fill ups compared to the electric compressor (1-2 minutes per tire compaired to 10-15 minutes).
Cons:
They take up a lot of space (Depending on the size tank you get).
Have to be upright when in use.
They produce a limited amount of air; then you have to get them refilled
Running air tools on a CO2 tank may freeze your tools and run the tank down fast.
Tank can also be damaged in high heat or if dropped.
Pressure gauge is not helpful in telling amount of CO2 left
When your out... your out...
NOTE: Some companies will dress up tanks with paint and put on a regulator and charge you $300 for is saying it’s an “off-road” version(Powertank, Hyperflow, The Sours, ect). Don’t be fooled, they are the same CO2 tanks that all welding places sell for ¼ of the price but with a $40 regulator and a fancy paint job.
Speed & CFM chart – With output pressure set to 250 PSI here are the numbers. Very impessive
Info from “Powertank”
Parts Needed for install
Bracket to secure to truck
Parts Needed for use
5, 10 or 20 lbs Co2 tank
Regulator
Pressure gauge
Air Hose
Tire fill tip
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Engine-driven compressor
Average Price - $400 (keep AC use York)
Average Price - $350 (No Ac, use York)
Average Price - $300 (use your existing AC as a compressor)
Ease of install – Complex
Dependability – Very Good
Air time –Fast
CFM - 4 CFM at 90 PSI
Pros:
Produces never-ending volume of air, with or without an air tank.
You can run air tools,
seat tire beads,
air up your tires, as well as all of the other broncos on the trail!
Very reliable.
Fast & always available
Cons:
Complex installation, especially if you have a factory air conditioner!
This is a totally custom project.
It takes lots of research and planning.
Creativity, special tools, and good fabrication skills are a big plus.
It’s the most expensive of the three options
your friend will always want you to fill up there tires :slap
Parts Needed for install
An installed York –
Air filter
Oil Trap
Check Valve
Blow off valve
Pressure switch
Manifold (3 or more holes)
Air tank
Pressure gauge
Power switch
50’ of ¼” air line
Quick Connects
High pressure fittings
Regulator
Electrical line
Tire fill tip
Here are a few write ups’
By California Monkey – NO A.C with custom bracket
By Winocabello – NO A.C. with easy access to P.S. pump -
By Vegasbronco1 – Both Passenger side install & NO A.C. with kit
By Broncoboy – NO A.C -
By Waltman – KEEP A.C -
By Drkhrs925 - Doublestack AC & York!
Basic but “you get the point” diagram I made up
Locations & Ideas on places put your Air tank -
If there is anything I missed, please let me know! :thumbup
