KaiserM715
Kaiser Söze
I have been after a solution to air up after trail rides for quite some time. I debated between a CO2 tank and an air compressor system. I picked CO2 because of the lower initial cost with the ability to run air tools and it was relatively easy to mount.
A compressed air system with a tank would have provided similar performance at about double the cost, not including a more involved installation. But, you only have to pay for it once, so it is all a trade-off.
I looked at a couple of different systems. I found on from The Source on Amazon for $310 (at the time) that included a 10lb tank, adjustable regulator (to run air tools), handle, vehicle bracket, coiled hose and tire chuck. A pretty good deal, I thought.
The Source S-KIT10B High Performace Portable Air System with Vehicle Bracket - Amazon.com
I think I could have done it a little bit cheaper with the build your own route, but with the bracket and adjustable regulator, it was pretty close and definitely less work to get the complete kit. Here is the discussion on the build your own:
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f67/...igh-quality-lowest-cost-ford-raptor-svt-8432/
I wanted to be able to mount my setup using my cargo rails (take a look here: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f11/cargo-rail-install-12218/), so a custom bracket was in order. I bought a 6' stick of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" angle iron, some fasteners and borrowed a metal chop saw from a friend. With my idea sketched, I measured everything and cut all of my pieces. Another buddy with a welder welded it up for me. I put a couple of coats of bed liner in a can on it.
Here is the finished bracket:
With the tank and vehicle bracket installed:
Installed in the bed, using 4 bolt stud fittings clipped into the cargo rails:
Note: The handle sticks above the rail of my cover and the cover bulges a little when it is closed. This setup would not work with the handle installed for anyone running a hard bed cover. I am contemplating bending the handle a little more or looking for a different style.
I found a welding shop not too far away and they charged me about $15 to fill up my tank and based on some usage by others, this will be good enough to re-inflate my tires after 4 air-downs.
A compressed air system with a tank would have provided similar performance at about double the cost, not including a more involved installation. But, you only have to pay for it once, so it is all a trade-off.
I looked at a couple of different systems. I found on from The Source on Amazon for $310 (at the time) that included a 10lb tank, adjustable regulator (to run air tools), handle, vehicle bracket, coiled hose and tire chuck. A pretty good deal, I thought.
The Source S-KIT10B High Performace Portable Air System with Vehicle Bracket - Amazon.com
I think I could have done it a little bit cheaper with the build your own route, but with the bracket and adjustable regulator, it was pretty close and definitely less work to get the complete kit. Here is the discussion on the build your own:
http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f67/...igh-quality-lowest-cost-ford-raptor-svt-8432/
I wanted to be able to mount my setup using my cargo rails (take a look here: http://www.fordraptorforum.com/f11/cargo-rail-install-12218/), so a custom bracket was in order. I bought a 6' stick of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" angle iron, some fasteners and borrowed a metal chop saw from a friend. With my idea sketched, I measured everything and cut all of my pieces. Another buddy with a welder welded it up for me. I put a couple of coats of bed liner in a can on it.
Here is the finished bracket:
With the tank and vehicle bracket installed:
Installed in the bed, using 4 bolt stud fittings clipped into the cargo rails:
Note: The handle sticks above the rail of my cover and the cover bulges a little when it is closed. This setup would not work with the handle installed for anyone running a hard bed cover. I am contemplating bending the handle a little more or looking for a different style.
I found a welding shop not too far away and they charged me about $15 to fill up my tank and based on some usage by others, this will be good enough to re-inflate my tires after 4 air-downs.
