onboard air

[Troy]

Thinking of buying an onboard air compressor. I've never had one before. Curious what you guys have liked/disliked in the past.

I was thinking of getting the twin ARB. Single piston ARB would probably work fine for me, faster air up times and not worrying about the duty cycle seem kind of nice though. Anything else I should look at?

I see people mount them in the engine bay or cab all the time. I was leaning towards mounting in the bed. Dropping the tailgate to use seems easier than anything else. I have my bed covered so theft/exposure is not an issue. Anyone happy/unhappy with mounting in bed? How did you run wire if its in the bed?

 

[FaKtor34]

Bedside Rack MOLLE Panel System | Ford F-150, Raptor & Lightning (2015 - BuiltRight Industries

The best alternative to truck storage with the BuiltRight Industries MOLLE Bedside Rack System. Using factory mounting points, this no-drill system installs to keep your gear organized, easily accessible & secure. Lifetime Warranty, Made in USA.

builtrightind.com

There is the best system to mount to in the bed. Don't blame me I point the finger @Cranbery and @Yeti. I currently have all four racks on order.

 

[DingDongDoug]

I'm looking as well.
From what I've gathered the ARB twin is a good choice for a portable compressor. I have a few friends that use the single and double.

There are other options though and I've been leaning towards CO2. No moving parts and way faster to re-fill. But obviously you need to refill them.

Power Tank Online Store and Blog

Power Tank is the ultimate on-board and mobile air system for performance, versatility, and reliability and your source for all air related accessories.

powertank.com

 

[Yeti]

I'm looking as well.
From what I've gathered the ARB twin is a good choice for a portable compressor. I have a few friends that use the single and double.

There are other options though and I've been leaning towards CO2. No moving parts and way faster to re-fill. But obviously you need to refill them.

Power Tank Online Store and Blog

Power Tank is the ultimate on-board and mobile air system for performance, versatility, and reliability and your source for all air related accessories.

powertank.com

I've used the twin mounted externally for 4 years. Other than melting a hose, it's been fantastic.

 

[Cranbery]

I've used the twin mounted externally for 4 years. Other than melting a hose, it's been fantastic.

Heard great things about it. I won't use it enough to pay $900 for the twin so I got the single bundle for $350.

Bedside Rack MOLLE Panel System | Ford F-150, Raptor & Lightning (2015 - BuiltRight Industries

The best alternative to truck storage with the BuiltRight Industries MOLLE Bedside Rack System. Using factory mounting points, this no-drill system installs to keep your gear organized, easily accessible & secure. Lifetime Warranty, Made in USA.

builtrightind.com

There is the best system to mount to in the bed. Don't blame me I point the finger @Cranbery and @Yeti. I currently have all four racks on order.

It's dope, my racks came in as did the molle pouches, nuts, and straps. I took an extra day off work so when I get back from the long drive from IA to Miami I can spend a day installing everything.

 

[High_Country]

Thinking of buying an onboard air compressor. I've never had one before. Curious what you guys have liked/disliked in the past.

I was thinking of getting the twin ARB. Single piston ARB would probably work fine for me, faster air up times and not worrying about the duty cycle seem kind of nice though. Anything else I should look at?

I see people mount them in the engine bay or cab all the time. I was leaning towards mounting in the bed. Dropping the tailgate to use seems easier than anything else. I have my bed covered so theft/exposure is not an issue. Anyone happy/unhappy with mounting in bed? How did you run wire if its in the bed?

This on my list as well. You gotta be honest with how you intend to use it and how often to make the right choice. Is it solely for airing up tires after you've ran the trails, maybe a camp mattress or something? Are you planning on running air tools? Are you airing up many times per week or day, or once a trip? Airing up all your buddy's rides as well?
Obviously you can buy the biggest baddest one but you're sacrificing money, space, and portability to do so. You can also consider adding an auxiliary tank somewhere if you need more stored volume.
When planning for space, don't forget to consider storage space for enough hose to reach all four tires if your compressor is mounted.
I love the integrated "always there and ready" feel of a permanently mounted compressor, but I also have found great utility in having one that's portable in a carry bag (I have small Viair currently) that I can move from vehicle to vehicle or move around the vehicle. These are generally smaller and have less output, but this goes back to the how often question. If it takes me 7 minutes longer to air up four tires but I can get by with a portable compressor the size of a tennis shoe and I only do that four times a year - maybe saving $750 and having the extra space and portability is better.
That darn struggle of 'need' vs 'want'.
I'm guessing the F150 has more than enough room under the hood to accommodate a permanently mounted ARB twin...and that's probably how I'm leaning....even given all the above because #want.

 

[Blueknight]

Havent tried it, but heard good things on the napa 300 maxi trac. Can get it for around $100 with coupon. I'm think im going to pick one up but not sure about mounting it... well then there is all the cool switches in the truck so maybe.

 

[High_Country]

Havent tried it, but heard good things on the napa 300 maxi trac. Can get it for around $100 with coupon. I'm think im going to pick one up but not sure about mounting it... well then there is all the cool switches in the truck so maybe.

Interesting. AND, the Napa compressor is made in the matching Tremor electric orange spice accent color.

 

[captain lead foot]

also been on the back of my mind to install something along these lines. again want vs need, another company to consider is Pacbrake they make lots of options i get a deal through work with them so will most likely lean that way.

 

[Yeti]

As with all compressors and use cases, make sure the compressor has the run time rating to do what you expect it to do. For me, 15 minutes to air up tires and possibly using air tools was the buy once cry once scenario decider

 

[Fozzy]

I have both the ARB and Power Tank. I prefer the Power Tank even with its limitations. If you are gone on an adventure for Months the Power Tank is probably not for you. But for general use its the best. Quit and fast, can set a bead and even run air tools if your old school. Has the PSI to fill HD truck tires like my RV. Easy to move from my RV to the Jeep and truck with all the mounting options Power Tank offers. I even have a paint ball gun sized one on my UTV. Down sides are its big and heavy compared to the ARB. It needs to be filled and you tell how full it is by weight, not the gauge. Needs to by hydro tested every 10 years if you keep it that long. I have one tank I have had for almost 15 years and it looks new still. It can freeze air tools, but who uses them anymore. It looses pressure in the extreme cold. Just put it in the cab when freezing. If you got the 2K Power Point you may have even better options than the ARB in AC.

 

[Cranbery]

Anyone have a good link to a video or write up for wiring an ARB to the upfitter switches? I will be mounting on the builtright panel in the truck bed, haven't ever wired a compressor before though so I'm a little unsure on how to do it exactly.

I have the single ARB with the wiring kit.

 

[Cheif2Slo]

My bike floor pump goes up to 120 psi, I just throw it in the bed

 

[FaKtor34]

On-Board Air Compressor - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

2017 - 2022 Super Duty - On-Board Air Compressor - Hi guys, Looking at installing either: Heavy Duty OBA | VIAIR Corporation (http://www.viaircorp.com/oba/oba-heavy/) or the ARB https://www.stage3motorsports.com/CKMTA12-ARB-Dual-High-Output-On-Board-Air-Compressor-Kit.html Does anyone have any...

www.ford-trucks.com

No video but this guy discusses the route with which he ran his and that he connected it to the upfitter switch #6

 

[Cranbery]

On-Board Air Compressor - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

2017 - 2022 Super Duty - On-Board Air Compressor - Hi guys, Looking at installing either: Heavy Duty OBA | VIAIR Corporation (http://www.viaircorp.com/oba/oba-heavy/) or the ARB https://www.stage3motorsports.com/CKMTA12-ARB-Dual-High-Output-On-Board-Air-Compressor-Kit.html Does anyone have any...

www.ford-trucks.com

No video but this guy discusses the route with which he ran his and that he connected it to the upfitter switch #6

Good info, thanks. Does anyone know what kind of shop would install one? I tried asking some of the dash cam installers but they won't do it. I'm going to install the dash cam myself, but thats a lot simpler. I'm 50/50 on the air compressor installation, don't know what shop to even ask.

 

[FaKtor34]

Good info, thanks. Does anyone know what kind of shop would install one? I tried asking some of the dash cam installers but they won't do it. I'm going to install the dash cam myself, but thats a lot simpler. I'm 50/50 on the air compressor installation, don't know what shop to even ask.

You should have a few good off-road shops down your way that would be more than happy to do the install if it's more than you want to tackle. That's the first place I would ask, then a general mechanic somewhere if they don't want to tackle it because you didn't buy from them.

 

[Cranbery]

You should have a few good off-road shops down your way that would be more than happy to do the install if it's more than you want to tackle. That's the first place I would ask, then a general mechanic somewhere if they don't want to tackle it because you didn't buy from them.

Didn't even think of that. Is there a popular chain of offroad shops that's reputable? I think 4wheelparts Is one? Again, I'm in Miami, it's scam central here.

 

[metallikatz3]

I had an ARB single mounted under the hood of my last truck and it was great! In the future though I do want something that is portable that I can throw in my wife's 4runner if we take that camping for the weekend.
I like the ARB compressor in a box kits that you just hook up to the battery and stow where you have space.

 

[FaKtor34]

4 wheel parts should be good or they could at least recommend one to you.

 

[High_Country]

Didn't even think of that. Is there a popular chain of offroad shops that's reputable? I think 4wheelparts Is one? Again, I'm in Miami, it's scam central here.

4wheelparts is pretty popular. My experience varies on the individual locations - some guys are great and knowledgeable, others not so much. Ask around of some people you trust for a recommendation.
I would also encourage you to think about learning to do it yourself. Wiring is not rocket science. You will get to know your truck better, learn a skill you can then use when you go to put lights and other accessories on, and be able to diagnose it better when something goes wrong. Your wiring kit probably came with a relay (right?) and I would suggest using it. It's not that hard - just go slow and be thorough.