Remote airlines ?

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hi all

I've recently seen 2 vehicles with under bonnet air compressors and that's not counting Stan's cool setup with compressor, steel sliders that double as an air tank and ARB lockers, see Here

One of WA's own Pradopointers (Ray) has un unstopable 90 series with compressor and a remote airline to a point concealed within the front bar.

In the pic below the arrow indicates the location of the remote air line.



My next door neighbour has an 80 series with a remote airline under each side step. He also uses the bull bar as an air tank.



Have any other Pradopointers explored remote airlines ?

I like the idea of having one under each side step - just for pure convenience - but I'm a bit worried about them being the first point of contact with a rock.

Also, does this type of setup require an air tank ?

I suppose that, down the track, I want to be able to consider installing a locker (or 2) and want to be able to prepare any modifications with future expansion in mind.

Any ideas greatly appreciated.

Cheers
Chippy

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

Chippy,

I've considered remote lines for my upcoming ARB compressor install, but I honestly don't reckon it's worth the hassle. If you consider that to air up you have to get your air hose out anyway, what difference does it make if it connects under the bonnet or under the bullbar (apart from the fact that you have to fiddle lifting the bonnet I guess)

The other concern would be having mud and dust and shite collecting in the air connection, you'd have to fuss with cleaning it out every time to prevent dirt getting into your tyres and damaging your valves.

Someone else might come up with a compelling reason that I haven't thought of though.

Drew.

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

All good.

It's far easier to bung an idea up on this forum and get all the pro's and con's - before taking the car to the chop shop :lol:

BTW - I've been collecting a fair bit of dust and mud lately but I haven't been on any 'shite' tracks. Maybe you've just got some crappier country out your way :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

[Drew Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drew]

I've been collecting a fair bit of dust and mud lately but I haven't been on any 'shite' tracks. Maybe you've just got some crappier country out your way :lol: :lol: :lol:

Mate I think most roads in NSW qualify for that title. :roll: :lol:

Drew.

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

my main thought for looking at doing this was for 1. the convenience of not needing to pop the bonnet, (which i ruled out as you need to turn it on on the unit anyway!

but secondly for ease of use in the length of cable required if there are ports near the wheels.... eg plug in at the back to do the back wheels without having to walk all the way back around the car to get ot the other side.... all in all saves maybe 20 seconds every few months... so again probably not so worth it! but hey, thatæs never stopped me before!!

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

You're right - it's never stopped me either.

I already have the unit wired into a switch on the dash (along with the switch already on the unit) to give myself flexibility down the track.

Cheers
Chippy

[McBAIN Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close McBAIN]

You're right - it's never stopped me either.

I already have the unit wired into a switch on the dash (along with the switch already on the unit) to give myself flexibility down the track.

Cheers
Chippy

good call!

what sort of switch did you use? cheapy or did you manage to find a toyota one that fits in the existing ports?

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

A Narva switch from Repco. It's a close match - the inside of the fixture needs to be filed a little, but they look OE - and it's got a little green or red LED in it. :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

[DarkHorse Member Find all posts View Profile Close DarkHorse]

Hey Chippy have I got just the pilot for your remote airline, if you plan on operating your REMOTE AIRLINE from Papua he is your man. Trust me he is the best of the best of the best.

Regards,


Rob

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Hey Rob

Where did you get a photo of my UNCLE ?

I see he's still got that BIG WOODY :lol: :lol: :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

[120GXV6 Member Find all posts View Profile Close 120GXV6]

I am also fitting an airlocker shortly and have mounted a Big Red compressor in the rear LHS on top of the drawer unit. It is fitted with a standard quick release fitting for an air hose and ready to take the airlocker solenoid valve. (Yes, Drew I still have to make a hose!)

Like others, I thought about a fitting outside - but if it gets some grit in the seal it will always leak and you'd probably have to clean it out before each use! And how often do you need to re-inflate tyres compared with work to run tube and fit an outside outlet?

Would be VERY careful about using side rails or bullbar for pressure accumulator as they need to be designed and rated for this use. I would be insisting on evidence of this as well. There have been stories of exploding bullbars used in this way :shock:

Matthew

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Good advice Matthew.

I have bugger-all knowledge of air storage but I imagine it could be a fairly expensive pop if not done properly. :cry:

As 'flash' as some of the accessorizing can be I suppose opening the bonnet 2 or 3 times a month isn't such a bad thing

Doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking or dreaming though :lol:

Cheers
Chippy

[Justo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo]

One of my mates made some side steps up a couple of years ago. They were made from steam pipe and used as air tanks. Worked great, and being so solid they could be used as a highlift jacking points if needed.
As long as the steps are over engineered there's no hassle. Have you ever heard of a LPG tank exploding.?? I haven't and seriously I know which I would be more worried about.! :P

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

Pop versus " BOOM " - good point.

What's up with the stationary avatar mate ?? Didn't you like the bog hole ??



Cheers
Chippy

[Justo Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Justo]

You can also have your air connector fitting wherever you like, they dont have to be on the air tank itself.!
The other thing with having airtanks is you have a much larger volume of air to use especially for pumping up big 4wd tyres, rather than pumping direct. It's much quicker with volume if you have enough of it, rather than your compressors airflow rate.!
Just my 2cents... 8)