In prep for my ARB locker, I've been looking at compressors. I want to be able to run air tools, quick air-up of tires, etc + run the lockers.

I've narrowed my choices to 2 models:

Viair 550C

or

Extreme Air

It appears that both of these are 100% duty cycle. Anybody have experience with or thoughts on these units?

Thanks.

 

Phong recently purchased the ExtremeAire from Mike. He said it aired up his 265/75's in 1.5 minutes from 12 to 30 PSI. He's the only one I know of that has one. Not sure how they do with tools or a locker. I don't believe it can handle the ARB requirements.

Not sure who all has the Viair.

 

Steve S. has a write up on his website regarding a quick disconnect to the ARB compressor. Here's the link.

Use the ARB compressor to power the ARB locker... Makes life much simpler.

Mike

 

The ARB requirements are very minimal. The pressure is 50 - 80lbs and almost no volume at all. Any 12v compressor and a small reserve tank will run the ARB lockers.

I went with 2 12v Truck air compressors. They have a 100% duty cycle for 8 continous hours. Their volume is so-so individually but they can also put out very high pressures. I'm upgrading my reserve tank to an 11 gallon tank. At 150psi I think I can air all my tires up just from the tank alone. We'll see. I should have the new tank in by next weekend.

 

I don't think either one would run air tools. I have no facts to back this up, just a hunch. For air tools that will take off big tight bolts with red Locktite nothing less than the Oasis unit that is a Warn winch motor belted to a York compressor will do. Those are selling for about $750 plus shipping last time I looked.

How much do you love your air conditioning? My $30 converted AC pump will pump more air than either one of those first two mentioned.

 

Did someone say tank? I don't need no stinkin tank.

P.S. I found the Oasis Trailhead unit. $700. It will be close to the air my junkyard system will make. I have about $50 invested so far.

 

$750??Ouch!!
They are claiming 4cfm and 150psi max roughly for both the Extreme and Viair.

I'm a wuss, I need my air (nah, I don't, but the wife and kiddies do - still a DD)

Gibby, where the hell are you going to fit a 11 gal tank. That will be gigantic. I was thinking 2-3 gal for my setup.

 

I am hoping to fit it up in the frame rails behing the rear axle. Obviously the spare tire doesn't fit there anymore. If it doesn't fit there, I'll be mounting it in the cargo area in the rear. I have a 3rd seat for the kiddies. The section behind the third seat it large enough and still leave me some room for tools and such.

I've I get really creative, I know that I can get it underneath in a nice safe place.

 

Please post and let us know when you get a chance to try this out. I just got a 5 gallon tank for my truck and threw out my piece of s**t compressor. I'm hoping at 120 psi this will work for my tires, as I'm only running 31's right now. Unfortunately I'm in the middle of a clutch replacement gone bad so it'll be a bit before I'm back on the road.

 

When I got my Extreme Aire, I asked them if I could hook up the ARB lockers to it(if and when I do get em... for reference only) and they said that it was no problem.

Tires get inflated from 20-36 in about 1 min and you can finish all 4 tires in about 5 min or so..

I'm not sure on if it can handle air tools but you can hit em an email and they're be sure to help ya out

Lance

 

OK Lance, out with the secret... Where did you find the room for your ExtremeAir compressor ? I've been looking into them and have yet to find a spot that will fit the compressor without moving a slew of equipment.

Steve

 

Lefty:

I had some room to the passenger side of the engine well. Not sure what was suppose to go there but enough room for the extreme aire! I measured it out and it was a good fit so I went w/ it!

Here are some pix of the compressor:







Sorry for the crappy pix, I just did this at work. And yes my bay is dirty as I just got back from a camping trip last night...

Lance

 

Lance,

That's sweet ! I thought about putting one in that spot, but was concerned with the oil\tranny fluid dip sticks. Have you encountered any clearance problems with those ? Also, how do you like that ExtremeAire setup ? Do you mind saying what you paid/where you got it ?

Sorry for all the questions, and taking the thread down this tangent... And thanks for the tips, Lance !

Steve

 

If you're not careful when you remove the sticks it'll become an issue but if you're careful about it when you remove the dipstick, then it shouldn't be an issue.

I love the setup. It was easy to install and only took about 15 min (cuz i had to drill some holes). Wiring up the compressor was easy with their detailed diagram that was included.

I bought it direct from them only because I was asking alot of questions and they were very helpful. For the pricing, please see their website as that's pretty much what I paid. They also have accessories that you can get at the sametime too.

Once installed, it's easy to use, doesn't get in the way and is definitely something recommended Now I don't have to worry about airing down and thinking dang, I hope someone can air up my tires later on etc etc. Just another mod for me! hehe...

Lance

 

With a big enough tank just about any pump that will make 100 PSI or so will run tools as its the tank doing the work. It comes down to duty cycle and how long it will take to re-pressureize the tank. I'd probably be at about 80% duty cycle using a tube bumper as a tank. An ARB compressor might be 20%. Who needs 100% duty cycle? This isn't NASCAR pit stops we are talking about.

 

I have an extremeaire under the hood of my '98 4Runner with a 3 gallon air tank. I have a pressure switch set a 105/145 psi and it runs my 1/2" impact gun with no problem. I can take off all 6 lug nuts without stopping and it takes me 1 minute 40 seconds to air up my tires from 14 to 32 psi. I run a regulator at 80 psi for my ARB locker. FYI I've seen ARB lockers run at 25 psi with no problems, cool huh...

 

Now I have to ask, where did you fit this?
All the 3rd gens I've seen have moved, or didn't have cruise control. Did you have to move anything? How hard is that?
Yeah, pretty cool...

 

I vote ARB. That's what I have. I added a quick disconnect to mine abd also added a pressure gauge just for a little bling-bling under the hood. I have cruise control and didn't have to move anything. it is a tight squeeze though.

 

I run a Thomas 2.2 CFM compressor on my rig.

Was easy to connect up the ARBs when I installed them, used my own switches. I have some info on the page above about determining the air requirements for air tools, filling tires, etc.

 

Do you have any pics of the placement? The ARB compressor is smaller, does it take longer to air up? I'm only running 265/75/r16
the biggest I would go would be 285/75/r16 could it handle these tires or take forever?