On board air system

[Colin]

I am looking into putting an on board air system on my TJ, i was primary looking at a power tank system, however i don't know much about these and i don't really want to cough up the money for a brand new tank, is it safe to buy used? Where would i buy used? Also does putting Co2 into my tires adversely affect them? And are there any major issues I have to watch out for with a system like this? And how much does it cost to refill a tank?

Any advice is much appreciated since I don’t know much about these systems.

Thanks.

[coaz4x4]

Sounds like you're pretty set on the co2 system... I don't like them tho... a full tank can be a bomb if it's not well mounted in a roll, and you can run out. I have a York/engine driven... very little maintenance, always plenty of air to go around. Only part I bought from Kilby was the bracket, got the compressor at a junkyard, lines from Grainger, fittings etc. from HD and bought a new clutch from Ryder (van company).

And yes, I realize that on "37 tires the co2 will be faster to fill, but the tank won't last more than a couple of trips, and do you really want to have to get that sucker filled weekly in the summer?

[Chris]

I've had both onboard motor driven and tank setups and think the tank is the way to go myself. My tank would typically last most of the season filling 35's and expect my new setup to last all season with my current 33's. Ask Josh (Haku) about filling 37's, he used my tank in Moab and IIRC took no time to fill all 4 tires after Elephant Hill.

CO2 has no adverse effects at all. Used is fine but the tank needs to be certified every ?? Years but only costs $20 or so from the same places that ill them. There are tons of tanks on CL these days in the Medical section since CO2 is used in the MMJ grow rooms, don't know how that's influencing pricing though.

As far as the danger is concerned I don't worry any more about it than the 10-20 gallons or more of gas we all ride with. The main component needed is a good regulator. I started with a beverage style regulator but after having issues woth the settings went with a Powertank regulator.

[Beefy]

I love the on board system thats in my rig. After MSV and Coney Flats yesterday I re-inflated my 35s as well as the stock tires on Heather's rig in a matter of minutes. Worked great!

I think either route works. Of course I don't have A/C either.

[Colin]

So after reading all the posts i am still going with the Co2 set up, can some one point me in the right direction for sourcing the valves, and how much is getting a tank to start the exchange thingy with a welding shop?

[Chris]

While I got my tank from another member (Thanks Marty!) I swapped it with Brody for a tank half the size. After numerous mysterious pegged gauge readings I gave in and bought the regulator from Powertank. Not cheap but top quality.

[Beefy]

Zukrider previously posted:

[Chris]

I prefer Red Comet myself, quick & easy...

[Errinjan]

I have CO2 now with a onboard viair awaiting hook up. The instructions are a little thin or I'm just thicker than most. I've tried to start installing it a few times, something always seems to come up. I like having the CO2, on Spring Creek a couple of weeks ago a guy lost a bead on the first obstacle. With the CO2 tank we got him going. I guess you could use air as well, I like being able to turn up the pressure.
I ended up with a tank (through exchanges) that matches the our paint.