David Harris
Expedition Leader
And put it all in one of these . . .
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Top Ten Vehicle Modifications for Overland Travel
- Thread starter Scott Brady
- Start date
And put it all in one of these . . .
One word about heat management. As the proud new owner of a JK sport there is one thing that absolutely needs to be addressed (which Chrysler is not so surprisingly to lazy to do themselves) and that is the cooling for the automatic transmission. It is well documented that the auto trans in the JK runs too hot. The rubicons do come from the factory with a more robust cooler, but for those of us making due with lesser JK's an auxiliary trans cooler is money well spent IMO. It's high on the list of upgrades I'll be making to my JK in the spring when the temps get warm enough to motivate me to work on my rig.
One additional item I would love to see discussed is the recommendation of an oba compressor as opposed to a CO2 setup. I've been debating which way to go on my JK. There is a bracket kit which would allow me to install a small VIAR compressor and 2 gallon tank underhood on my JK, but I don't like the idea of exposing the very compressor I may be relying on to bail me out in the back woods to all that heat. I'm leaning towards a 10-15lb CO2 tank with proper regulator and hose with quick disconnect fittings. I realize that the downside is packaging, weight et al, but the ability to repeatedly air up tires without having to refill the tank and and to run air tools in a pinch for repairs seems to be more pro than con. I would think with the proper regulator or utilizing a hose straight off the tank sans regulator would allow enough pressure to reseat tires better than a standard compressor setup. I've never used a CO2 tank for that but my father uses one to air up tires on his "farm" equipment and cars in storage all the time.
If I do a CO2 setup I will construct my own in order to make it easier to refill, i.e., drop off the old tank and pick up a new tank already filled. The problem I see with the turnkey systems is you may have to wait to get your tank filled if you want your fancy tank back. I'd rather have the convenience of being able to exchange tanks much like you can do with your grille's 20lb propane tank. Additionally I would think nearly every town would have either a welding and/or gas dealer within reasonable proximity.
Any input on the OBA options would be much appreciated as I'm poised to make some purchases soon.
One additional item I would love to see discussed is the recommendation of an oba compressor as opposed to a CO2 setup. I've been debating which way to go on my JK. There is a bracket kit which would allow me to install a small VIAR compressor and 2 gallon tank underhood on my JK, but I don't like the idea of exposing the very compressor I may be relying on to bail me out in the back woods to all that heat. I'm leaning towards a 10-15lb CO2 tank with proper regulator and hose with quick disconnect fittings. I realize that the downside is packaging, weight et al, but the ability to repeatedly air up tires without having to refill the tank and and to run air tools in a pinch for repairs seems to be more pro than con. I would think with the proper regulator or utilizing a hose straight off the tank sans regulator would allow enough pressure to reseat tires better than a standard compressor setup. I've never used a CO2 tank for that but my father uses one to air up tires on his "farm" equipment and cars in storage all the time.
If I do a CO2 setup I will construct my own in order to make it easier to refill, i.e., drop off the old tank and pick up a new tank already filled. The problem I see with the turnkey systems is you may have to wait to get your tank filled if you want your fancy tank back. I'd rather have the convenience of being able to exchange tanks much like you can do with your grille's 20lb propane tank. Additionally I would think nearly every town would have either a welding and/or gas dealer within reasonable proximity.
Any input on the OBA options would be much appreciated as I'm poised to make some purchases soon.
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Scott Brady
Founder
CO2 is probably fine for day trip or club runs, but it is a finite amount. I do not see CO2 as appropriate for longer journeys where the tank would be difficult or impossible to fill.
There are lots of great compressors out there. I use an ARB compressor in the Disco and an ExtremeAire in the Overland JK (big tires).
There are lots of great compressors out there. I use an ARB compressor in the Disco and an ExtremeAire in the Overland JK (big tires).
loren85022
Explorer
For me, the question of air boils down to what I'm willing to share. If I have OBA, I'm happy to stop and give someone some assistance. If I have CO2, then I might need to horde for my own self-preservation down the road.
Scott Brady
Founder
That is a good point. A compressor is a MAJOR device of good will in developing countries. Crossing Central Asia, I probably used the compressor 20 times to help others, and it resulted in wonderful connections and help down the road. A family in Uzbekistan let us stay the night in their restaurant and we helped them pump-up their tire on the Lada Niva in the morning - priceless.
that compressor mounted under the hood produces more heat on its own when its running than anything radiating from your motor in the engine bay towards it. you are not going to damage it. they are made to get hot.
AFSOC
Explorer
I used to be of the mind that a hard mounted OBA system represented the ultimate for compressed air. CO2 didn't appeal to be because I feared when I really needed it that I may be depleted without means to refill. What I've now decided is that an unmounted, sturdy compressor packed away is the most flexible and easily serviced solution. I now have a compressor that can be clamped on to a 12 volt battery. It isn't as elegant as an integrated OBA system but I don't need to be within hose reach of a vehicle requiring a a tire to be topped off. A packed portable takes up less space than a 15 or 20lbs CO2 tank too. I recommend portables to everyone, Overlander or not.
NM-Frontier
Explorer
I agree portable is great. I can take mine in whichever vehicle we are driving on a trip, be it the truck for desert or off hwy trips or the car for road trips. Very handy in all occasions. Defiantly a must have for any type of travel.
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
That is exactly what I did severals years ago and for the same reasons. I eventually didn't care for the size, weight or finite supply, and decided I preferred an air compressor.
First, a large, heavy, continuous duty portable compressor from Extreme Outback Products. A great unit, I probably won't ever sell it or wear it out.
Second, a smaller portable 'cheap' compressor, MV50, works well and goes on most trips as primary or as a backup.
Third, hard mounted ARB compressor that is 'always' in the vehicle, runs the lockers and airs up my moderate sized tires too.
First, a large, heavy, continuous duty portable compressor from Extreme Outback Products. A great unit, I probably won't ever sell it or wear it out.
Second, a smaller portable 'cheap' compressor, MV50, works well and goes on most trips as primary or as a backup.
Third, hard mounted ARB compressor that is 'always' in the vehicle, runs the lockers and airs up my moderate sized tires too.
David Harris
Expedition Leader
You carry three compressors on your trips?
Redline
Likes to Drive and Ride
Sorry, that wasn't clear.
I carry the ARB always (mounted), and usually the MV 50 portable as a backup. The best but biggest, heaviest compressor stays home.
I carry the ARB always (mounted), and usually the MV 50 portable as a backup. The best but biggest, heaviest compressor stays home.
4307
Adventurer
I use 2. The first is an ARB the second is a cheaper Tornado both hard mounted in a bed box. They're switchable, use one or the other, or both at the same time for rapid inflation.
The dual compressor setup is also there as backup compressors if either one fails, for what ever reason (which has happened (fuse replaced at camp).
Compressors switching via remote or hard mount backup switches . My third compressor is a standard automobile portable 12v compressor as a last resort, its stored in the truck at all times.
I recently rewired my portable air compressor's clip leads to a 7-pin trailer plug. When the engine is running, the socket on the rear bumper provides a 30 amp circuit, and simply plugging into it is faster and more elegant than clipping to the battery underhood. I kept the alligator clips handy for a trail repair should something in the circuit or the plug fail.