Air compressor recommendation?

[kaitlyn2004]

I never thought I'd bother with air compressors, but after arriving at a 4x4 parking lot for a hike and seeing a truck with a flat tire... well, time to revisit!

I am NOT an "offroader", almost entirely off-road is just up FSRs of varying degrees of quality.

I was originally thinking of simply buying a portable air compressor, but am almost positive I would forget it the one time I actually needed/wanted it, so go figure.

Is there a good budget option that easily mounts under the hood of the 4runner (have a 2020)? How long would it take to re-fill from, say, 20 to 35psi? So far, I have never gone up a FSR with someone who airs down... everyone just runs as-is I guess.

 

[spartacus]

I never thought I'd bother with air compressors, but after arriving at a 4x4 parking lot for a hike and seeing a truck with a flat tire... well, time to revisit!

I am NOT an "offroader", almost entirely off-road is just up FSRs of varying degrees of quality.

I was originally thinking of simply buying a portable air compressor, but am almost positive I would forget it the one time I actually needed/wanted it, so go figure.

Is there a good budget option that easily mounts under the hood of the 4runner (have a 2020)? How long would it take to re-fill from, say, 20 to 35psi? So far, I have never gone up a FSR with someone who airs down... everyone just runs as-is I guess.

You should air down to 20lbs for a more comfortable ride on FSR but If you are not airing down for offroading then you don't need a mounted unit. For emergencies you can pick up a viair 88p or a smitty built etc for around 100 bucks from amazon or others. They come in a bag and fit in the back cubby holes. if you want more info, here is one of the numerous threads on this forum alone for a mounted unit.
Air compressor choices

 

[spartacus]

here's another Anyone Running Smittybilt 2780 2.54 CFM Portable Compressor

 

[NW.OH.T4R]

For the price, this seems to be a good solution:
AIR CHAMP PRO 5.65CFM - 12V Heavy Duty Portable Air Compressor (ICOMPRESSOR004)
It is portable, but really it sounds like your needs don't warrant onboard air.

 

[bakerb87]

I use the Viair 88p. I air down to ~15 and back up to ~34. It is not super quick, but for the price it works just fine. My brother uses the same compressor with his '18 JL on 285's

 

[Bumbo]

I have a Viar 400P and 88p. The 88p is perfect for emergency use, or light trail use if that all you want to spend.

My only gripe with the 88p is that I don't like the fixed air hose.

 

[bakerb87]

I have a Viar 400P and 88p. The 88p is perfect for emergency use, or light trail use if that all you want to spend.

My only gripe with the 88p is that I don't like the fixed air hose.

How much quicker is the 400p than the 88p?

 

[CollinJ]

I recently got the Smittybilt 2781 for use on the trails. I don’t plan to hard mount it under the hood at the moment because I like the portability of it.

From some reading I’ve done the 2781 seems like a better option for under the hood than the 2780, but again that could be all opinion.

The 2781 is capable of airing up all 4 tires at once, again from many reviews I’ve seen. So that’s a plus for me if I make a 4 tire harness for it and air up all of them to the exact same psi.

 

[Bumbo]

How much quicker is the 400p than the 88p?

Almost twice as fast... higher the PSI goes, the better the 400p does as well.

I can fill up all my tires from 15 PSI to 32 PSI well before hitting any duty cycle limits, which is why I went with the 400p over the 450p, which is slower, but a 100% duty cycle pump.

 

[kaitlyn2004]

I recently got the Smittybilt 2781 for use on the trails. I don’t plan to hard mount it under the hood at the moment because I like the portability of it.

From some reading I’ve done the 2781 seems like a better option for under the hood than the 2780, but again that could be all opinion.

The 2781 is capable of airing up all 4 tires at once, again from many reviews I’ve seen. So that’s a plus for me if I make a 4 tire harness for it and air up all of them to the exact same psi.

The 2781 is approx twice the size and weight though, right?

Trying to imagine just how... portable these are to move in/out of car vs something that might be permanently mounted under the hood even if used infrequently...

 

[CollinJ]

The 2781 is approx twice the size and weight though, right?

Trying to imagine just how... portable these are to move in/out of car vs something that might be permanently mounted under the hood even if used infrequently...

Ya it’s heavier but I’d not call it “heavy” per say? I wheel usually once maybe twice a week in mine so taking it out a couple times a week isn’t a huge deal for me. I do like it’s ability to be mounted under the hood too though. I’m sure down the road that’ll be the plan.

I like that it’s a much stronger compressor with double the CFM of the 2780 (nothing wrong with that one at all).

 

[CajunMikeR]

The 2781 is approx twice the size and weight though, right?

Trying to imagine just how... portable these are to move in/out of car vs something that might be permanently mounted under the hood even if used infrequently...

The 2781 is about 20lbs, a little bulky size wise (base is 6in wide x 13in long) but not too bad. I used to keep it under the rear seat in my 2013 F150 FX4, in it's bag with a few accessories, take it out when needed and toss it back in there when not. Not really a big deal. Now, it stays under the hood of my 2019 ORP, mounted and wired to the dash with a pigtail behind the front, passenger side bumper. I made a manifold, so airing up all 4 at once takes little effort (the manifold is also used for airing down).

 

[4RFiend]

I just bought the 150 PSI unit from Harbor Freight and it took my E Rated Grabber ATX 285's from 22 to 40 psi in 90 seconds.

Have only used it twice but for $50 I'd say it's worth a shot.

 

[RagoFabrication]

ARB ON-BOARD HIGH PERFORMANCE 12 VOLT AIR COMPRESSOR (CKMA12) – Rago Fabrication


ARB ON-BOARD HIGH PERFORMANCE 12 VOLT TWIN AIR COMPRESSOR (CKMTA12) – Rago Fabrication


Hey girl,

Check these compressors out. They have everything you need and more. We also fabricate the compressor mounts! If you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]

Thanks,

Baley

 

[RagoFabrication]

ARB ON-BOARD HIGH PERFORMANCE 12 VOLT AIR COMPRESSOR (CKMA12) – Rago Fabrication


ARB ON-BOARD HIGH PERFORMANCE 12 VOLT TWIN AIR COMPRESSOR (CKMTA12) – Rago Fabrication


Hey girl,

Check these compressors out. They have everything you need and more. We also fabricate the compressor mounts! If you have any questions feel free to shoot me an email at [email protected]