Compressor Opinion

[gxl_d4d Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close gxl_d4d]

Hi,

I'm in need for a new compressor. I was considering the following:

ARB CKMA12 $312.50
Bushranger Super Max $395
AOB (Air On Board) 380 $195 (not sure if these are VIAIR compressors or cheap knock offs)
Big Red $399 (Rebranded Thomas Pump & Motor)

Which one do you guys recon is the best way to go?

[matt150 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close matt150]

I got one also. Goes ok.

[hulbyw Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hulbyw]

I have had excellent service out of the ARB CKMA12 in my 120 and it is still going strong. Going to buy another one for the new 150
Cheers......Wayne

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

I had the CKMA12 portable unit until recently and never had a problem. Will soon be purchasing the same to place under the bonnet.

Hazza

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

As you know the ARB is compact and will fit in some small spots under the bonnet. OK I have one and could not be happier. Endless Air if you have the money sounds great if you need it. To my way of thinking the Aldi compress is as good as all the others. They are all big and lumpy and work well as a stand alone compressor just the Aldi is $ 100 but you have to wait for fathers day.

[South Oz Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close South Oz]

Am getting a ARB under bonnet compressor fitted today, had one on a patrol.... worked great

South Oz

[AJ120 Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close AJ120]

Yeah you cant go past the ARB compressor, unless you want heaps of air and then the endless air is the go, although the endless air can't be used for lockers if you ever go that route.

The ARB is a proven unit with the backup of a nation wide dealer network to back you up.

Cheers Andrew

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

If you are on a budget I'd recommend the ABR Sidewinder one which I think is as good as the ones you have mentioned and its only about $220. I had one and it was good but I do a lot of beach driving and use it a lot so I upgraded to an Endless Air onboard belt drive compressor. They do a kit for the 150 and I can't remember what it cost but it was somewhere between $800 and $1000. It was a bit tricky to fit as you have to replace the turbo pipe and fit an extra belt pulley wheel but I thought it was worth it as I can pump all four of my tyres up from 16psi to 40psi quicker than all the electric pumps can do one to 30psi. I also put an air tank in and use it to pump up an airbag jack and can run a rattle gun. I've never had a puncture yet in the Prado but it paid for itself one afternoon when I jacked up and changed the wheel on a Pajero that was blocking a track on Fraser Island.

I got a quote from them and am seriously considering it but for $1070 (inc shipping to NSW) without a tank, I'm not sure if it is worth 3 arb ckma12's...

Have you got the new kit with the shorter EA55 or the old one with the EA70 (that has clearance issues to the radiator resoviour)? If you have the EA55 can you post me some photo's, the only ones they could supply were of the EA70?

I am a little bit hesitant about changing the inter-cooler pipe as well, I have read a few posts on here about people saying the inter-cooler pipe has a tendency to come off, these were quite old though and I am not sure if they have changed the design, how have you found the pipe?

I'm not worried about use with lockers as I will go with the Eaton E-lockers when funds (and SWMBO) permit.

[Ages Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Ages]

I have mounted the twin arb compressor in the rear above the wheel arch. It's a fantastic compressor, pumps all my tires before it even gets hot.

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

"although the endless air can't be used for lockers if you ever go that route.
Cheers Andrew"

Yes you can. Just have to use a pressure regulator on the supply line for the lockers itself. You should be running an air tank if using an Endless air system.

Winston.

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

You probably read one of my posts saying the pipe came off, it was a pain but I just put two pipe clips on and it's been fine since. I would recommend it to anyone it's great. I'm not sure which model I have, I will have a look and put some pics on.

I didn't have any issues with clearance of the radiator res so it might be the new one.

Yeah I think your posts were one I was reading, and I came across another person who had the same issue somewhere.

Pictures and confirmation of compressor model would be awesome if you could?

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

Thanks mate, judging buy the pictures I would take a guess at that being the EA55. The pictures of the EA70 that the manufacturer sent me show the front of the pulley pretty much rubbing on the coolant res.

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

Looking at the pics looks like I have a bit of rust that needs attending too.

Off topic but....Do you rinse your car after beach work Jasen? That seems like a lot of corrosion for a 150... I also noticed the sand under your bonnet.

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

Very happy with my ARB CKMA12.

[baggs71 Inactive member. Find all posts View Profile Close baggs71]

Have you thought of IronMan or MeanMother?
From memory if your after an alternative in price range I think they average $250.
I use mine once a fortnight sometimes weekly...mainly from 18psi to 40psi most times...
Never once as it caus3d me to doubt its operation...

There is a very strong following on here with ARB etc....and that horses for courses...and yes..." you get waht you paid for" so I took this advice and bought a compressor where ARB make theres....CHINA.



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