• The site migration is complete! Hopefully everything transferred properly from the multiple decades old software we were using before. If you notice any issues please let me know, thanks! Also, I'm still working on things like chatbox, etc so hopefully those will be working in the next week or two.

On Board Air

DirtDog

New member
Ok guys im gonna do something cause i need it. I really dont want yall telling me i shouldnt do it or its a bad idea unless its a safety hazard which it isnt. As most of you know im in the military and its a pain to not be able to store air compressors or anything large here. So ive decided to order an onboard air compressor/tank system that can power air tools.


Thats the main place ive been looking as the prices seem to be good with a wide variety of options
Onboard Air Systems

Now i have a few questions.
1) For a good inpact gun with adjustable setting how high of air pressure do i need?
2) do i need an air compressor that can go at a constant rate or would one with one of the quarter duty or medium duty compressors work just fine. (its not like im gonna be having the tools run constantly lol)
3) last question. is there anything else i need to know about on board air.

Ive seen air compressors in trunks before but it was for air bag suspensions and all

all input is welcome unless its just stupid comments.
 


You'd need a pretty big compressor to run air tools at a high cfm, or else the its going to run all the time and never be full.

Most guns need 15-25 to work good with atleast 125psi. A air wrench won't need as much to work at its full power.

I would say a 15-20lbs air tank would work good, but that pretty big and would fill the whole trunk up.
 
Last edited:
Interesting. On that site I listed what about one of the constant duty setups? Would they be able to handle it. Its not like a daily use but maybe once a week as I've been working on several peoples cars lately and having air tools would be super handy.
 
I edited my post above, wrong numbers. Anyways...



None of those can do more than like 5 cfm, not even enough to power a impact gun at full power, it would last maybe a few seconds and the tank is gone.
 
guys with air ride do this a lot. they'll give themselves an extra air line to use for whatever. typically they'll just use it for refilling tires and what not, but i'm sure with the right compressor/tank you could use air tools. i don't know how much you're going to like having a giant tank in your car, though.
 


Bonnevilles, Park Ave, Rivieras etc had onboard air for leveling. You could also pump up tires etc if you had a half a day. Little compressors are super low volume.

I miss being able to refill my own tires at the track. GP's drooled over that too.
 
Currently I have an electric tire pump its not to slow really for what it is. Basically I'm wanting a way to use air tools to take lugs off and other assorted bit*h bolts when working on peoples cars. Its not like its gonna have constant use. But I do see what y'all mean by a pump that can handle the use and cfm flow. I may just invest in a really good electric tool set. Ive been working on like a car or two every week and charging just small amounts plus parts cause people have realized I have tools and know how to basically use them for most jobs
 
I have the big constant duty Viair OBA kit on my 2500HD. Its good for airing up tires and such. It can run some air tools in a pinch, but it really doesn't do it well. Honestly, an OBA setup will not accomplish what you want. This is after pointing out that you will have to mount much of the components in the truck and give up space there. You really would do better to try and pick up a smaller "pancake" style compressor that is easier to store, but can still run the tools you are talking about.
 




Back
Top