RSSOffroadshop Parts Store revamped!
Offroad Online Australia Pty Ltd have just revamped their online 4wd Parts store. The New look and feel enhances the growing online store. Feel free to browse the thousends of new parts and accessories for most popular makes and models including Nissan Patrol, Toyota Landcruisers, Hilux’s and much more.
Tyre Pliers
Having a flat tyre whilst in the middle of the desert can be heart breaking, and dangerous. Being equipped to make running repairs can make the difference between life and death. Tyre pliers Repair kits can make fixing a flat tyre an easy task to get you on your way.
Bushranger Max-air Compressor Modification. Adding a Pressure Switch
Bushranger Max-Air Compressor
The Bushranger Max-Air has rapidly become one of the best 12 Volt Air Compressors on the market. Having a large output, relatively quiet operation and a well finished product, whilst remaining affordable.
We recently did a comparison of a Max-air Versus our ARB compressor. On all our tests over a series of das the Max-air out performed the ARB compressor with ease.
There is a large amount of lookalike products on the market which appear to be identical to the Max-air. Once you look closerly, or even pull them apart, you soon realise this is not the case. Since we were putting the Max-air to the test against what we beleive is one of the best value for money and dependable units on the market, the ARB Compressor, we thought it was worth comparing it to a Cheap $79.95 Compressor from Kmart.
A quick dis-assemble quickly highlights which unit is the real deal Vs a Cheap copy. The Kmart special is significantly different inside and the lack of care and quality in its manufacture is almost immediately evident. The Seals and machining on the Kmart compressor are poor to say the least. The Motor is also not built to last, which was proven when we ran each compressor for a few hours of constant usage at 35PSI. To do this we fed both compressors into a Air manifold and 9 Litre tank with 3 Staun Tyre deflators which were set at 35PSI. This ensured the pressure was kept constant and the system under load. After 1 hour of use, each compressor was stripped and checked. The Kmart brand compressor had significant wear although both the ARB and Max-air, whilst not being shiney and new, were both in almost perfect condition.
After a second hour of usage the Kmart brand compressor was making funny noises, and it was shutdown and retired, although still in a working condition. Both the ARB and Max-air are still in use with no problems since new some 6 months later.
Max-air Vs The Copy
There are a number of new compressors on the market, some boasting high output’s with a low price tag. They look just like the Bushranger Max-Air, but are they really the same?
We purchased a Max-Air Copy from our local Big W store. Known as the Hi-Flow, they look like an identical copy of the Max-air.
Now we have read rumours on the internet about these compressors being Identical, made from the same materials, and even in the same factory. These rumours lead us to beleive that Bushranger are ripping us off and that for $80 you can get a unit that is just as good. Unfortunately, our research has found it not to be the case. The Cheaper units are build from inferior paterial, and the slight changes in the internal parts cause the cheaper models to behave quite differently. The Cheaper units draw their air from the Sump, Through a one way valve in the Piston. This is where one rumour comes from, that being the Pistons are plastic. This is not the case. the Piston in the cheaper models is infact metal, although it has a plastic valve in it that draws the hot air from the sump. The next main difference is the head of the compressor. The seals are a very poor design. The Max Air uses 2 seals to provide the maximum seal. The cheaper version looks tatty after just a few houses of use.
The next major difference can be found in the motor. The bushes in the motor will be lucky to see the average user’s compressor lasting a few hours of use. The high quality fittings in the Max Air should see it run flawlessly for long time. The Air Filter in the cheaper version gives little to no protection to the delicate air intake and piston with is course single density foam, So its best not to operate it in dusty, sandy, dirty condidtions (handy since its designed for a 4wd to be used in these conditions)
When fired up, we ran both units for a duty cycle of 45 mins continous use at 35PSI. We then shut each unit down for 25 mins to cool before firing them up again. The max-Air managed to complete 5 of these cycles before being packed up and put away as the Cheap version gave up and the motor stopped.
The Great Tyre Poll
From time to time we review tyres. This is a costly and time consuming exercise as generally we purchase a set of tyres and conduct the independant review over a period of time testing the tyres in a variety of terrains and on a variety of vehicles. In order to align our choice of tyre with that of our readers, we are conducting a Tyre Poll to see which set of tyres you would like to see reviewed next!
New Nissan Patrol Series III and Series IV Working Tail Lights
Nissan have an optioan replacement rear lights as a Factory Part to replace the Dummy lights in the rear quarter Panels of all Series III and Series IV GU Patrols.
The Original Lights only have the single passenger side reverse light working. The Replacement lights include all the globes and globe holders to enable the indicator, tail, stop and reverse lights to work.
These Lights are available frlom Nissan Dealerships, in particular Ferntree Gully Nissan and Blackburn Nissan in Victoria both stock these lights. There are a number of series I & II lights available now as an aftermarket light a lot cheaper than direct from nissan and can be found on www.ebay.com.au
New Parts Shop
The Spare Parts from OffroadShop can now be found in the OffroadShop Parts site at http://parts.offroadshop.com.au.
Parts range from Toyota (Hilux, Prado, Landcruiser), Landrover, Nissan (Patrol, Navara), Suzuki and much much more.
With over 50,000 parts online and most being identical to the Manufacturers parts.
Air Fittings and Air Setups Explained.
Air Fittings
These are many dirfferent types of Air fittings. To confuse people more, there are also Different Brands. Each brand will only work with that same Brand Fittings.
We prefer the Jamec Brand. This seems to work the best in a 4wd environment of dirt and mud. We have also found the the Jamec-Pem brand are the best. Don’t be fooled into buying inferior quality products from places such as bunnings. they are Poor made and often more expensive that purchasing from a Air Fitting Specialist.
Another thing that becomes apparent quickly is that air fittings can get expensive. So it is worth mapping your ’system’ out on paper first to ensure you only buy what you need. then again, it is handy to have a few common components spare in case you need to make a few changes / bush mechanic repairs.
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There is 2 main sizes to be aware of when selecting one. the Thread size, such as 1/8BSP, 1/4BSP (which is the most common for 4wd use) and the Barb size. the Barb Size depends on the Hose you will use. Typical Workshop Air hose would need a 1/4″ Barb. The narrow hose, such as those bundled with ARB Compressors uses the 1/8″ Barb.
Threaded Barbs are used to attach hose to a device directly, instead of using ‘Quick Connector’s, Or Couplings. A threaded barb is also screwed into a Coupling to allow it to be attached to a hose.