Anyone 'converted' Mantec Rocksliders to act as compressed Air Storage?

[LRNAD90]

Those of us that have been around for decades probbably remember that the original Safari Gard offered rock sliders that doubled as air storage tanks. Not a ton of air volume I suspect, but enough to help speed up tire inflations, and maybe allow the use of 'air blowers' or other air driven accessories (lockers/etc)?

Back then I purchased Mantec Rock sliders, because I liked the design better. I was curious about the idea of turning them into storage tanks? Seems like it could be as simple as drilling and tapping an airline to each (assuming they are welded in a manner that makes them air tight), or maybe needing to drill them and weld a nut if there is not enough wall thickness to thread it?

Was wondering if anyone had tried this and what their experience had been, thanks..

 

[expanse]

i'd weld the nut. can chop off and fit a new nut if the threads ever got buggered. Pressurize them (just a few PSI, don't need 150psi for this test) and place in a water bath to confirm they are sealed.

 

[mitherial]

Neat idea; Another perhaps simpler option is to mount a small tank underneath your truck / inside the chassis rail.

Something like:

https://www.amazon.com/Vixen-Air-Suspension-Aluminum-VXT4100A/dp/B07J6B1421

 

[LRNAD90]

Probably a better option, moisture contend and rusting the sliders from the inside out as a result is a primary concern. And it would likely cost me less than time and materials trying to engineer a slider solution, not to mention have significantly more capacity I suspect..

 

[expanse]

air ride supply companies have dozens of tanks sizes. they're cheap too.

 

[lithium1330]

this guy did a vid comparing arb twin OBA vs. with 1gal tank for airing up tires.
He test showed the 1gal tank saved him 10sec for 1 tire (or ~40sec for all 4 tires)

I know someone who use their slider as air tank...but I haven't done any comparison or seen it in action.
I suspect unless the compressor is high output (like a arb twin or similar), the air blowers will still run out of steam if it's a single compressor bc you have more air going out & faster than coming in.

 

[pfshoen]

LWB RRC's have a nice tank mounted to the frame rail.
MIke Green's NAS 110 had rock slider/air tanks. Prob worked ok but it never caught on.

 

[WreckITFrank]

LWB RRC's have a nice tank mounted to the frame rail.
MIke Green's NAS 110 had rock slider/air tanks. Prob worked ok but it never caught on.

Same with LR3/LR4 EAS tank. I got one from a yard for $30 when i had my LR3. Slim/Compact for frame rail mounting.