great job, similar to what i did with mine
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6830&highlight=oba?
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/showthread.php?t=6830&highlight=oba?
DIY OBA with tank.
6
So i decided i wanted an OBA system. As most of us are, I was strapped for cash. I pieced together my own OBA set up with for about $100. It can be less or more depending on what parts you get and from where.
Parts you NEED:
5 gallon air tank from Harbor Freight $27
compressor of your choice +/- $60 (i got mine for free)
Air hose ($10 for 50' of 300 PSI 3/8" airline)
brass fittings and couplers as needed $5-20
Parts I recommend to make life easier:
quick disconnect 1/4" brass fittings (set of 5 male and female $10 at HF)
20' coiled air hose $10
Press and release air chuck (free with HF tank)
Viair pressure switch
So first I dealt with the tank. It currently resides in the back of the X but once I slap in my flowmaster 40, it could easily find its way next to the gas tank.
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From here i drilled a 1/2" hole (and still had to file some metal away) right by my anchor point. I fed the hose through the pre-cut carpet hole and underneath. I fed the entire airline through the frame rail until the front fender well.
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From here it's really a matter of preference but I led the air hose
up through the fender and into the engine bay by the battery. Then i put it back down through the headlight opening and into the bumper. Now if you have no skid plate or bumper to mount the compressor on, you could have stopped a while ago and mounted it either inside, under the truck or in the engine bay but i decided to go for the bumper.
The air hose first goes through to a hole in my bumper, then T's off through the hole and to the right section of my bumper. This is where i bolted it in.
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How you arrange the brass fittings is up to you and whatever works best for you.
Pressure Switch
If you decide you want a pressure switch, remove the pressure gauge from the compressor and replace with a viair pressure switch. The one with the relay is not needed. If you open up the the switch assembly on my compressor, you can clip the two switch wires and splice the pressure switch leads into the ground (one end of the PS going to one of the relay switch wires and one going to the dash switch) and the other relay switch wire going straight to the dash switch. This allows you to control when the compressor pressure switch is active and then allows you to let it run when you are on the trail without worrying about over filling the tank or burning out the compressor. I used an 85-105 PSI pressure switch because both my tank and compressor are limited to 120 PSI.
I'll get photos of the wiring later, but for right now, It's rainy, windy and miserable and i dont want to go outside.
Enjoy 5 gallons of not waiting for your budget air compressor.
![]()
Parts you NEED:
5 gallon air tank from Harbor Freight $27
compressor of your choice +/- $60 (i got mine for free)
Air hose ($10 for 50' of 300 PSI 3/8" airline)
brass fittings and couplers as needed $5-20
Parts I recommend to make life easier:
quick disconnect 1/4" brass fittings (set of 5 male and female $10 at HF)
20' coiled air hose $10
Press and release air chuck (free with HF tank)
Viair pressure switch
So first I dealt with the tank. It currently resides in the back of the X but once I slap in my flowmaster 40, it could easily find its way next to the gas tank.
From here i drilled a 1/2" hole (and still had to file some metal away) right by my anchor point. I fed the hose through the pre-cut carpet hole and underneath. I fed the entire airline through the frame rail until the front fender well.
From here it's really a matter of preference but I led the air hose
up through the fender and into the engine bay by the battery. Then i put it back down through the headlight opening and into the bumper. Now if you have no skid plate or bumper to mount the compressor on, you could have stopped a while ago and mounted it either inside, under the truck or in the engine bay but i decided to go for the bumper.
The air hose first goes through to a hole in my bumper, then T's off through the hole and to the right section of my bumper. This is where i bolted it in.
How you arrange the brass fittings is up to you and whatever works best for you.
Pressure Switch
If you decide you want a pressure switch, remove the pressure gauge from the compressor and replace with a viair pressure switch. The one with the relay is not needed. If you open up the the switch assembly on my compressor, you can clip the two switch wires and splice the pressure switch leads into the ground (one end of the PS going to one of the relay switch wires and one going to the dash switch) and the other relay switch wire going straight to the dash switch. This allows you to control when the compressor pressure switch is active and then allows you to let it run when you are on the trail without worrying about over filling the tank or burning out the compressor. I used an 85-105 PSI pressure switch because both my tank and compressor are limited to 120 PSI.
I'll get photos of the wiring later, but for right now, It's rainy, windy and miserable and i dont want to go outside.
Enjoy 5 gallons of not waiting for your budget air compressor.
1 - 20 of 22 Posts
Reps. Well done Zach. Reminds me that I need to get on my plans for roof top OBA on my X. I have the same compressor as you and intend to buy a long, skinny tank and hard mount them both in my air dam storage basket. Suppose this will only work with a 2nd gen. I figured since I never really use the basket except to hold wet clothes and stuff, I'd make it more practical and fun.
i really want to see that when its done.Reps. Well done Zach. Reminds me that I need to get on my plans for roof top OBA on my X. I have the same compressor as you and intend to buy a long, skinny tank and hard mount them both in my air dam storage basket. Suppose this will only work with a 2nd gen. I figured since I never really use the basket except to hold wet clothes and stuff, I'd make it more practical and fun.
Found this for some jeep magazine. Neat little chart. Made it simple
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