Air System- School Me

[SoK66]

So my understanding on air systems is VERY limited. Tell me if I’m on the right track.
A system that is rated for 200psi @ the tank. In order for that to actuate components rated for lower psi they have to pass through a regulator. In other words, if I have components A-D where A&B require 100 psi each, and components C&D require 50 psi each, there would have to be a connection to the tank running to 2 regulators. 1 at 100psi and a second to 50 psi. From there they connect to a Solenoid for each component. Solenoids would then be activated by individual switches somewhere in the cab. Does all that sound correct?

On my former YJ I ran a Kilby OBA system that was based upon a York A/C compressor. It had a tank on one side of a manifold set at 175 PSI and an ARB solenoid for the front locker. (It had a Detroit for a rear locker.) Used ARB switches for the compressor and locker. That system was excellent and I was disappointed Kilby didn’t make it. At this point I do t know if any commercial OBA accessory exists for JK/JL/JT applications based upon an A/C compressor

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[Bandit’s Lair]

A big truck and trailer supply shop would more than likely have what you’re after. That’s where I got a lot of the air parts for my old rig. If not, some sites that sell air-ride parts for street trucks have distribution blocks or manifolds.

I’ll look into this a bit more. Im in SoCal so we do have a lowrider scene here. They’d probably be able to point me in the right direction. Just going to be weird driving up in a Jeep with tires even with the top of their rides. Might get some funny looks. Oh well, I have teenagers, I’m used to it

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

On my former YJ I ran a Kilby OBA system that was based upon a York A/C compressor. It had a tank on one side of a manifold set at 175 PSI and an ARB solenoid for the front locker. (It had a Detroit for a rear locker.) Used ARB switches for the compressor and locker. That system was excellent and I was disappointed Kilby didn’t make it. At this point I do t know if any commercial OBA accessory exists for JK/JL/JT applications based upon an A/C compressor

Planning to have everything hardwired then on activation switches on a switch panel. Most likely a VosSwitch on the drivers side. Some things I do NOT want to have anyone else accidentally having access to. Still have to map and figure out wiring with all this. It’s gonna get a little crazy but end result should be pretty good.

 

[Steve@AccuAir]

When I get around to the rear winch bumper build, I plan th use rectangular tubing for the bumper... I'll seal it and use that as an air reservoir.

That's pretty cool because you have less distance to go to mount your air chuck. Do you watch Shannon Campbell's Youtube channel? He made back half of the roll cage on his scrambler into an air tank.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

When I get around to the rear winch bumper build, I plan th use rectangular tubing for the bumper... I'll seal it and use that as an air reservoir.

It’s a good idea but I don’t know about using the rear bumper on a Gladiator as an air tank. It’s probably the most impacted area on the entire vehicle. Now relocating the spare and maybe a crossmember type of thing closer to the axle I’d consider. Knowing my luck I’d come off a ledge wrong and that thing would get a catastrophic puncture and I’d create a brand new rendition of “Blow it out yur arse”.

 

[Freems]

Looking to run front and rear lockers and considering going with sway locks front and rear on an air actuation setup. I’m still looking into tank mounts for under the bed/body but the AccuAir tank setup caught my eye on the grounds of protection and location. There are other components going along with this but that’s the main ones as far as an air system are concerned. I really don’t want the compressor or anything else air related inside the cab. Been there, done that, not my preference.

yep, not in the cab.

 

[Steve@AccuAir]

Powertanks are great units! I've had one years on the LJ. And the bed organization looks great!

 

[Capngeo]

It’s a good idea but I don’t know about using the rear bumper on a Gladiator as an air tank. It’s probably the most impacted area on the entire vehicle. Now relocating the spare and maybe a crossmember type of thing closer to the axle I’d consider. Knowing my luck I’d come off a ledge wrong and that thing would get a catastrophic puncture and I’d create a brand new rendition of “Blow it out yur arse”.

LOL, still laughing!
Its 3/16" wall... I think the tow points would have a better chance of rupturing it than the rocks. I have built at least 6 of these bumpers, and never a failure. Nice part about mild steel is it will deform before a catastrophic failure; check out a slo-mo of test to destruction on steel cylinders.

The cylinder on your BBQ is less than ⅛" thick yet still has a working pressure of 240psi to 312psi,,, SCUBA tanks at 0.3125" hold 10x that pressure! Yes, shapes matter and a rectangle or square will not nearly hold what a cylinder will. I may die in a rear end crash, but not from an exploding bumper!

 

[Capngeo]

Only problem with co2 (power tanks) is that carbon dioxide molecules pass through tire rubber a lot easier than air molecules. I've got one, and the tires loose 3-5psi/week. I will fill up after a day of off roading, but always dump and refill with air when I get home

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

LOL, still laughing!
Its 3/16" wall... I think the tow points would have a better chance of rupturing it than the rocks. I have built at least 6 of these bumpers, and never a failure. Nice part about mild steel is it will deform before a catastrophic failure; check out a slo-mo of test to destruction on steel cylinders.

Are there any images available of these bumper/air tank creatures we could see? They sound interesting. By interesting I mean it sounds like Merlin has been up to no good again.

 

[Reflektr]

I’ll look into this a bit more. Im in SoCal so we do have a lowrider scene here. They’d probably be able to point me in the right direction. Just going to be weird driving up in a Jeep with tires even with the top of their rides. Might get some funny looks. Oh well, I have teenagers, I’m used to it

I’ve actually been on both ends of that spectrum. I remember a cruise-in where I was in my absolutely hammered ‘98 Sonoma and saw a 44” TSL roll by, then saw daylight, then another TSL rolls by a couple seconds later I’ve also been the dude in the lifted Chevy wondering how the bagged truck rides. It’s funny how things come full circle. I like ‘em all!

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