Viair Ultra Duty Onboard Air Installed

I have been running a CO2 system in My Toyota FJ Cruiser for the last 3 years. After each trip the CO2 tank needs to be refilled which costs over $18.00 at the local welding supply store which has started to add up. I’m also am planning on adding an ARB air locker to the front differential.

Viair Ultra Duty System

With these things in mind I decide it was time to add an on-board air system. I decided to purchase a Viair 200psi Ultra Duty system. This system is designed for filling any sized tires and will also work well to run the front air locker.

The installation of the system took over 6 hours and is relatively involved. I chose to use the space behind the rear axle to mount both the compressor and air tank.

Pressure Gauge and Control Switch

I installed the pressure gauge and the control switch in the dash panel in front of the passenger seat. The control wire and the tubing for the pressure gauge are run through the floor and along the frame to the tank and compressor.  The control wire and tube are enclosed in wire loom to protect them from wear.  I wired the switch to my accessory fuse panel located next to the gauge. The compressor is directly wired to the battery through the pressure regulator.

Compressor Location

I welded the compressor bracket to the left frame rail. This location keeps the compressor shielded from most road grime. The tank is mounted to a steel plate that is bolted to the underside of the body.

Compressor Intake Filter

To provide the compressor with clean dry air I routed the intake tube through the floor and mounted the filter to the left trim panel. I was able to use a heat gun to soften the tubing so I could bend it.

Tank and Compressor Installed

For ease of use I mounted the air hose coupler in the rear bumper using a swivel connector.

Air Connector

Powering the system up revealed a few leaks that I was able to fix by tightening the fittings. The swivel connector also leaks which I will just have to live with.

Look for a functional review after my next trip.

tomas

Tomas has lived in Colorado since age 5. Having grown up on the Western Slope of Colorado lots of time was spent in the Desert Southwest. Tomas' father introduced him to the love of 4 wheeling at an early age in the high mountains around Aspen, Colorado. While an avid Mountain Biker, Tomas and his Family enjoy adventures in the mountains and desert in the remote locations that can only be reached by 4wd. Day hikes are always a must when on the family trips. While enjoying outdoor activities he wants to share his love as a certified 4wd trainer and ski instructor. Tomas also enjoys caving and cave exploration. Tomas currently resides in Colorado Springs. 

  2 comments for “Viair Ultra Duty Onboard Air Installed

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Time limit is exhausted. Please reload CAPTCHA.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.