I'm planning my onboard air system and have two goals: Spend as little money as possible and be able to use a butterfly impact wrench off the system.

My current plan is a 5 Gallon (150psi max) tank from Kragen and a pair of compressors off a Ford/Lincoln with the air suspension.

Will this work to the point that I could, say, remove and replace all 4 wheels without lag from the compressor?

If not... what can I do to achieve this?

On a side note.. I want a hi-output alternator and haven't found one, any help with this would be appreciated.

 

I doubt it, I have a 2 gallon tank and 2.2 CFM compressor and can just get one lug nut off before waiting for the compressor to refill the tank:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...uchAirforTools

I think even with my shop compressor (20 gallon tank and 12 CFM compressor) I can maybe get one wheel off per compressor cycle.

http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...orInstallation

 

yup


Just get a powertank.

 

Most impact guns run in the 4-6 CFM range at 90 psi ... that's a helluva compressor to keep up with that! Either the Warn Powerplant winch/compressor combo, or something like an Oasis. You can do it in a pinch with CO2, but the impact gun will drain your bottle QUICK.

 

I have an ultimate air tank. Works good u just gotta keep the tank filled. My main goal was to be able to reseat beads on the trail and fill big tires up quick. It works well. The thing you need to look for in a compressor or tank is flow rate (CFM). The higher the better. Make sure the CFM is high enough for the rating on your air tools

 

on my cousins jeep he bought a kit that turned his ac compressor into a air compressor by underdriving it, he could easily run air tools off it by having me hold the gas at like 3 grand, real nice set up, ill ask him where he got it at.

 

You wont be able to run much without a larger tank, even if the unit pumps out 5cfm. Most working impact guns (1/2 inch) need about 4cfm to work and about a 30 gallon tank to do more than a few tires.

Power tanks or the likes work better, but if you really just wanna be done with the whole thing and be able to work an impact gun then you need a cordless impact driver. None of that junk you can buy at HD or Lowes, you need a snap on, mac or matco. I have one for work and I can do MANY tires on just one charge, its powerfull enough to break most lugs free and easily will torque them on too. New ones have about 600ftlbs max breaking power and normal output of about 400ftlbs. Sure its expensive at 500 bucks, but it requires no air tank, no compressor, no hose, and you can get a car charger for it.

 

A little off topic...CJM do you worry about over torquing the nuts stretching the studs and weakening them? or warping brake rotors? just curious about what peoples thought are......

 

Not really since the gun is actually less powerfull than a standard air impact gun. I dont know if the gun can recognize how much torque to apply like torque sticks (which one could use with this kinda gun), but it has never broke a stud nor over tightened them like a common air impact will if your not carefull. Once it reaches its power limit, like a cordless drill it will make that awfull chattering noise.

I use it all the time since I do roadside service/towing, no one has ever had any issues removing the wheels afterwards. I used it to change my own vans tires multiple times and I can remove them by hand with a 4 way. It definitely doesnt possess enough power to do damage imho as it wont break a lugnut free thats been put on with a regular impact by someone who put them on a little to tight. Those I must break free usually with a tire iron and a pipe slipped over it or 4 way.

My gun is older, so I know its kinda broke in and has less power than newer models, but my entire company I work for (all 4 of us) have used them for the past 5 years with no issues. I dont even use impact sockets, just reglar deep sockets.

 

aye ok...that makes sense..I forgot the electric impacts have clutches on em...I need to get me one!

 

my step dad has an electric impact, I think it's a cheap one because it "impacts" and sounds like it winds up for a few seconds, then "impacts" again. Kind o funny but I guess it works.

 

Yes, I have one of those, too. It works fairly well and is almost as fast as an air impact, by the time you fill up your air tank and drag out the air hose, etc.


- http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=92349

 

I bought that exact 12v wrench for my girlfriend's truck, along with a full size aluminum jack it makes changing a tire is easy as pie

Edit: Whoo 100th post lol