Final Thoughts
This has turned out to be a very cool project. It
took a lot of research, asking questions, doing lots of
design and planning work, and I learned a few things
as well. I found it really helped the design process to
map out the entire system on paper, with all the
fittings required, and the various pieces of hardware.
The actual installation went quite smoothly, and I
was quite happy with how easy it was to build once I had it all planned out.
Of course, the next question is, where to go from here? There are a number of future options available for a Jeep with on-board air installed:
- add an intake filter (should have done this in the first place, just haven't gotten around to it yet...)
- add a pressure regulator, filter, and lubricator (for running air tools).
- buy a bunch of air tools (impact wrench, drill, grinder, ratchet, etc).
- plumb a new quick-disconnect attachments that comes out at the rear.
- move the pressure gauge and switch to the dash, which would be useful if you were using this system to control your ARB air lockers.
- add more/bigger air tanks
- convince my wife to sew a water/dust-proof sock for the quick-disconnect :-)
- and so on...
And now, for a slightly funny story...
After I got the system all together & working, I packed up and started driving to work the next morning. The only problem was, the Jeep was running like crap. It sounded awful. So, I pull over, thinking I may have pulled a vacuum hose or something. Nope. Close the hood, continue on... Still messed up. Light-bulb goes off in my brain. Naw...., couldn't be.... Pull over, pop the hood, sure enough, there's the #1 spark plug wire, sitting on top of the distributor where I left it while installing the compressor (see the photo on the assembly page). These four-bangers, I tell you, they just don't run very well on three cylinders... :-)
I hope this project provides a valuable resource to other Jeep (or other 4WD) owners. If there's anything in here that is not clear, or you would like more information, feel free to send me a message at Jon@huv.com.
Go back to my On-Board Air page.