Compressor questions on which type?

[Grug556]

Guys a few questions on compressors. Is it better to have one installed under the hood and run direct to battery, like an ARB unit? Or is it better to have one in the back area that runs via 120V plug on the inverter 400W? Also for the compressor if goal is to use just for air up and down on tires and maybe air tools (I know this uses up the cfm) is a small holding tank necessary if so what size? Basically looking for any alternative type setups that people are using, listing the good and the bad if possible. Thanks!~:bluejump:

 

[scanny]

I think it's mostly depends on how are you going to use your compressor.

First of all I don't think that you can find decent compressor working of 120V/400W, This gets compressor under 4A which is I think is way to low. Decent compressors normally connected directly to truck battery

Compressor installed directly under the hood is convenient but you need to make sure that it's installed correctly so it won't fail or damage engine components. And it's might be costly as well.
Portable compressor connecting directly to battery is cheaper and doesn't require installation but takes space in trunk.


Power tools require an air tank as far as I know, size of tank depends on what tools you want to use. You should refer to tools specs, in the nutshell when I used frame nailer in basement my 3 gal compressor tank was good for about 6 nails. So I doubt that you can fit air tank big enough for air tools under the hood.

That's what I think about compressors : )

 

[fbksurferjoe]

Look at cfm as the rating for filling tires. 4-5 is pretty good and can be had around the 100-150 $ range. That tells you how much air it can push out. If you are filling a tank you may also want to look at max pressure and duty cycles.

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[Grug556]

I think it's mostly depends on how are you going to use your compressor.

First of all I don't think that you can find decent compressor working of 120V/400W, This gets compressor under 4A which is I think is way to low. Decent compressors normally connected directly to truck battery

Compressor installed directly under the hood is convenient but you need to make sure that it's installed correctly so it won't fail or damage engine components. And it's might be costly as well.
Portable compressor connecting directly to battery is cheaper and doesn't require installation but takes space in trunk.


Power tools require an air tank as far as I know, size of tank depends on what tools you want to use. You should refer to tools specs, in the nutshell when I used frame nailer in basement my 3 gal compressor tank was good for about 6 nails. So I doubt that you can fit air tank big enough for air tools under the hood.

That's what I think about compressors : )

So should I just focus on ARB compressors under the hood or is there another brand worth looking at as well? I get the whole tank-cfm thing, I just recently built a compressor system for my garage using three tanks. Makes a 4cfm machine at 90psi be able to handle any air tool without stopping.

 

[scanny]

So should I just focus on ARB compressors under the hood or is there another brand worth looking at as well? I get the whole tank-cfm thing, I just recently built a compressor system for my garage using three tanks. Makes a 4cfm machine at 90psi be able to handle any air tool without stopping.

I'm not an expert, I know that VIAIR has very good reputation as well (VIAIR Corporation - 12-Volt & 24-Volt Air Compressors and Pneumatic Systems) I got myself portable VIAIR compressor and it works very well for me, but I don't run any air tools with it.

 

[Jetboy]

I don't think you should try to run air tools. 20v cordless tools are better, easier, and cheaper than the setup for air tools in a vehicle. I've done both. In my FJ40 I have a 12CFM belt drive compressor. It'll pump air faster than most air tools can use it. But I still don't use air tools because they're just not worth the effort compared to cordless tools. And you can probably charge a 20v cordless battery on your 400w charger.

If you want to be able to seat a bead on the trail - an air tank is really handy. Otherwise I would not carry one. I do not carry an air tank in my 4runner and have no intention of ever doing so. The only thing I personally would consider is tapping my slider on one side and making it a small air tank. I welded them completely for this reason. It might have enough volume to give the initial burst to seat a bead. But I probably won't. I just don't use my 4runner in a way that I'm losing tire beads often - or ever.

I would suggest either an ARB or one of the variety of portable compressors with the most CFM you can afford. For the most part they should all work well for airing up tires so long as your at least 2cfm or greater. Smaller ones start to get annoyingly long to fill up your tires.

I personally have this one. It's a heck of a good compressor so far for $150. If these were available back when I built my FJ40 - I would not run an engine driven compressor. These are too good and too cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...6777671&sr=8-1&keywords=smittybilt+compressor

 

[Karzir]

Has anyone used a Ryobi One + airpump for tires? I have other One + tools but don't know if the the pump is good for anything more than blowing up footballs and pool floats.


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[BlackWorksInc]

I don't think you should try to run air tools. 20v cordless tools are better, easier, and cheaper than the setup for air tools in a vehicle. I've done both. In my FJ40 I have a 12CFM belt drive compressor. It'll pump air faster than most air tools can use it. But I still don't use air tools because they're just not worth the effort compared to cordless tools. And you can probably charge a 20v cordless battery on your 400w charger.

If you want to be able to seat a bead on the trail - an air tank is really handy. Otherwise I would not carry one. I do not carry an air tank in my 4runner and have no intention of ever doing so. The only thing I personally would consider is tapping my slider on one side and making it a small air tank. I welded them completely for this reason. It might have enough volume to give the initial burst to seat a bead. But I probably won't. I just don't use my 4runner in a way that I'm losing tire beads often - or ever.

I would suggest either an ARB or one of the variety of portable compressors with the most CFM you can afford. For the most part they should all work well for airing up tires so long as your at least 2cfm or greater. Smaller ones start to get annoyingly long to fill up your tires.

I personally have this one. It's a heck of a good compressor so far for $150. If these were available back when I built my FJ40 - I would not run an engine driven compressor. These are too good and too cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...6777671&sr=8-1&keywords=smittybilt+compressor

Cordless stuff has come a long way no doubt about it. I currently am using a 20v 3/8" Mac Brushless Impact (a tuned-up Dewalt unit basically) for pretty much everything including zapping wheels on/off. But it's just not beefy enough to undo lug nuts over about 100~110ft of torque. The 1/2" guns do better, but they're much bulkier than my 1/2" Snap-On impact and still not as strong. Not to mention at that point you're talking about needing a power strip and inverter and remembering to keep all those tools charged up regularly. Also there's the issue of having large lithium ion batteries stacked up in the back in an area that will see very large temperature and humidity spikes.

The 400w Inverter set-up is a bit finicky, I believe it's the same as the Tacoma's which switches to 100W when off idle/out of park or above a certain speed. Additionally it's got some other things that make it really only useful when the vehicle is just sitting idling away. I recall having a customer who was a contractor complain about none of his tools recharging on his new Tacoma between work sites and we realized that it wasn't designed the way the contractor wanted it to work.

[MENTION=156238]Grug556[/MENTION]

-What do you want onboard air for?
-Are you doing a tankless 100% duty-cycle set-up
-Or Tanked system?
-or a Hybrid?

You need to break down which path you want before you can really decide on a compressor. I had parted out a system for the 4Runner that should do anything I need it to including running air tools if need be. The compressor I chose was: https://www.extremeoutback.com/product/14/ExtremeAire+Magnum+12+Volt+Compressor++Part#+007-222.html and I was going to pair that with a 5 gallon reserve tank to buffer pressure and such. But the above set-up would also need a beefier alternator and probably benefit from a second battery to route it through for buffering voltage and isolating that much load from the main system. Which adds up quick in the dollar department.

Currently I'm just rocking a Smitty Built Smittybilt - Smittybilt 5.65 CFM Air Compressor - 2781 | 4WheelParts.com

That I got on sale from a local truck store to refill tires when I'm done playing in the dirt.

 

[Racehoss]

I'm selling this new in box. Amazon sells for $295. Mine is $225
Constant Duty OBA | VIAIR Corporation

 

[Discovery]

Don't know where op is situated but I got this from Canadian Tire for 79$ (that's about 13$ USD)

12v dual cylinder, it inflated my 32" from 15psi to 55psi in just under 7min.

Best part is, it stop when it reaches desired psi.

https://m.canadiantire.ca/products/productDetail/0095032P/false/false/false?selectedSku=0095032

 

[DesertCanyons]

Compressor

There isn't much advantage to having the compressor under the hood unless you're running an air actuated locking differential, where you need it hooked up while driving. It's not an issue with the T4R electronic locking diff.
I bought a good Viair portable compressor and only put it in the truck, along with all of the other recovery gear, when we're going offroading. The rest of the time all that dead weight is in the garage. Viair has a good website you can look through and figure out the difference in different set-ups, including tanks. They're located in Irvine, CA.
Most of these portable air compressors won't push enough air to drive a pneumatic tool. I looked at the tanks but you don't need it for filling tires.
When I need to air up I take the compressor out, put it on the ground near the battery and run my air hose around the car. Even the cheap coiled air hoses that come with a lot of the better compressors will work all the way around from the front, but you can replace it with a better rubber hose that's easier to use and store.

 

[sn_85]

There isn't much advantage to having the compressor under the hood unless you're running an air actuated locking differential, where you need it hooked up while driving. It's not an issue with the T4R electronic locking diff.
I bought a good Viair portable compressor and only put it in the truck, along with all of the other recovery gear, when we're going offroading. The rest of the time all that dead weight is in the garage. Viair has a good website you can look through and figure out the difference in different set-ups, including tanks. They're located in Irvine, CA.
Most of these portable air compressors won't push enough air to drive a pneumatic tool. I looked at the tanks but you don't need it for filling tires.
When I need to air up I take the compressor out, put it on the ground near the battery and run my air hose around the car. Even the cheap coiled air hoses that come with a lot of the better compressors will work all the way around from the front, but you can replace it with a better rubber hose that's easier to use and store.

Agreed. I have a Viair 400P and it works fine. I've aired all 4 tires up from 20 psi when I go off-roading and it has never missed a beat. For me this is good enough. I have no desire to mount an onboard air compressor at this time.

 

[JSparky]

Like others stated it really depends on what you're after. Under hood is nice for convenience but involves more installation and wiring. Slee makes a great unit:
Slee - Compressed Air Products

Portable units are nice if all you're doing is airing up. I've used a few and like the TJM the best so far.

Review TJM HD Air Compressor: Off-Road.com

It really comes down to if you want to run air lockers, air tools, and the convenience of having it hard wired, versus the alternative convenience of having a portable unit that you carry in the back and just plug in whenever you want to air up tires. Entirely owner/application specific.

 

[(none)]

I'm not an expert, I know that VIAIR has very good reputation as well (VIAIR Corporation - 12-Volt & 24-Volt Air Compressors and Pneumatic Systems) I got myself portable VIAIR compressor and it works very well for me, but I don't run any air tools with it.

View attachment 254956
I'm selling this new in box. Amazon sells for $295. Mine is $225
Constant Duty OBA | VIAIR Corporation

I just went with the viair 90? (it was a little over $100 on amazon). I'm running 255/75s (right around 32" tires), and I was able to refill my tires from 20 psi to 40 psi quicker than the guy next to me who was running an ARB underhood single (he was running 265/75 16s, very similar size). I'm very happy with it, comes in a nice bag, I bought a few extra 40amp fuses just in case, etc.

I had used some of the cheaper air compressors (12v and 120v) in the past which took FOREVER to fill the tires. This thing is super quick, I can stand there and watch gauge go up as it's going. And it's nice and quiet.

 

[Grug556]

Thanks guys. Main purpose will be airing up and down. I can likely forgo the impact tools as I have a full setup at home. No plan to install an air locker. Ok so it looks like a portable type in the trunk might be the way to go. Thanks so much for all the links, its hard to find this stuff! :clap2::clap2:

 

[Jetboy]

Cordless stuff has come a long way no doubt about it. I currently am using a 20v 3/8" Mac Brushless Impact (a tuned-up Dewalt unit basically) for pretty much everything including zapping wheels on/off. But it's just not beefy enough to undo lug nuts over about 100~110ft of torque. The 1/2" guns do better, but they're much bulkier than my 1/2" Snap-On impact and still not as strong. Not to mention at that point you're talking about needing a power strip and inverter and remembering to keep all those tools charged up regularly. Also there's the issue of having large lithium ion batteries stacked up in the back in an area that will see very large temperature and humidity spikes.

I wouldn't replace my shop compressor. Although actually I almost never use my air impact anymore. I use a Dewalt 20v impact and I was able to swap an entire set of tires/wheels on a dump trailer (8 lugs per tire and 120tq) with one 5ah battery. Kinda shocked it would do it honestly. I don't think my air impact has come out of the drawer since. But I definitely still use air for all sorts of stuff like sand blasting, plasma cutting, etc.

I was more thinking trail repairs. I would generally just rely on having a fully charged battery or two to start with and only recharge in a pinch. The newer 5+ ah batteries last forever. Otherwise I just use the old fashioned hand tools for trail duty.

The one tool I don't have in the newer set that was my most common trail tool is a sawzall.

 

[A10MileHusker]

Thanks guys. Main purpose will be airing up and down. I can likely forgo the impact tools as I have a full setup at home. No plan to install an air locker. Ok so it looks like a portable type in the trunk might be the way to go. Thanks so much for all the links, its hard to find this stuff! :clap2::clap2:

You'll be happy with a portable.

I ran the Viair constant duty on board air system with the tank and everything wired in on my 4th gen. Loved it because it aired my tires up quick but thats it.

I just purchased a 5th gen and I wont be getting that set up again. Simply because I never used it for tools. I waited until I was home to do any heavy work where air tools were required.

I'm about to get a Viair 400P compressor that I can throw in the truck when I'm heading out to the trails/beach. It fills tires quickly and isn't a PITA to install with running wires and hoses throughout the rig.

 

[nb rob]

I've got a smittybilt 2781 portable compressor 5.65 cfm

It's faster than all the other compressors I've gone up against at the trail head (much faster than most). And I can do 2 sets of tires before it needs a break. It's the largest portable compressor that I've seen.

It's cheap, its passed my durability test when the bugs are unbelievably bad and I get a little rough and in a hurry.

The air chuck sucks, but it's not that big of a deal.
If it broke tomorrow, I'd replace it with the same one....

 

[nevada]

I personally have this one. It's a heck of a good compressor so far for $150. If these were available back when I built my FJ40 - I would not run an engine driven compressor. These are too good and too cheap. https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...6777671&sr=8-1&keywords=smittybilt+compressor

I've got a smittybilt 2781 portable compressor 5.65 cfm

It's faster than all the other compressors I've gone up against at the trail head (much faster than most). And I can do 2 sets of tires before it needs a break. It's the largest portable compressor that I've seen.

It's cheap, its passed my durability test when the bugs are unbelievably bad and I get a little rough and in a hurry.

The air chuck sucks, but it's not that big of a deal.
If it broke tomorrow, I'd replace it with the same one....

I use the same one. amazing compressor for the price. though, I see it has gone up a bit since I got mine.

it will do my 37's from around 15, to 35psi in about 3 minutes. ive never had to let it rest.

check my build page. I swapped the chuck over to a euro style lock on chuck, for that very reason. the screw on chuck was terrible.

 

[nb rob]

I use the same one. amazing compressor for the price. though, I see it has gone up a bit since I got mine.

it will do my 37's from around 15, to 35psi in about 3 minutes. ive never had to let it rest.

check my build page. I swapped the chuck over to a euro style lock on chuck, for that very reason. the screw on chuck was terrible.

Sweet!! I didn't realize that the euro chucks were available in an open configuration. I'm going to replace my chuck ASAP.


What a badass thread. I just scanned through to find the compressor mod. But I'm going to have to go back through and watch those snow videos. Cheers!