1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Best Portable Air Compressors

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by Grey_BoCo, Apr 6, 2019.

  1. Apr 6, 2019 at 10:21 AM
    #1
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2018
    Member:
    #6971
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road Premium
    Hey all,

    I'm looking to buy a portable air compressor to bring along on off road trips. I done some market research and I think I'm going to go with Smittybuilt 2781 5.65 CFM Universal compressor.

    Before I purchase this (+$100 purchase) I figured I would ask around to see if I can find a better or equivalent compressor for a cheaper price! I also noticed that this specific compressor gets pretty hot during use, which makes sense, but it doesn't seem like they all do that.

    Any extra information here would be great. Is there a masterthread on this topic?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  2. Apr 6, 2019 at 11:16 AM
    #2
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    Lots of people get the viair from Amazon. I can't remember the model number of the one to get. Some of them need to be ran for awhile and then allowed to cool. But one of the models is ok to just let it keep running.

    Anyone know the right model?
     
    Strandskov likes this.
  3. Apr 7, 2019 at 3:15 PM
    #3
    rkwfxd

    rkwfxd New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2018
    Member:
    #5662
    Messages:
    642
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Whittier - So Cal
    ARB

    I bought and installed the twin on my jeep so it went with the jeep when I sold it. Learned by lesson. Bought the single portable that I have now when I bought my Runner. I expect to have this ARB for the rest of my life.
     
    Crossfit4Runner likes this.
  4. Apr 7, 2019 at 4:19 PM
    #4
    aroyalsfan

    aroyalsfan The Owner

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2019
    Member:
    #8789
    Messages:
    859
    Gender:
    Male
    Kansas City
    Vehicle:
    2018 4Runner SR5 Premium - Midnight Black Metallic(218) - 4WD
    Westin Pro Traxx 5 Hood and side window deflectors Black exhaust tip Tinted front windows Billet grill overlay Badge Overlays painted Cavalry Blue Powder coated stock Trail Wheels gloss black 12 Volt Solutions plug and play remote start To do list: led swap Speaker upgrades Sound deadening doors Maybe list: rear backup sensors
    These two have some pretty helpful videos that are fairly entertaining to watch. I saw this one a while back.

     
    WallyT4R and Crossfit4Runner like this.
  5. Apr 7, 2019 at 7:19 PM
    #5
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2018
    Member:
    #6971
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road Premium
  6. Apr 7, 2019 at 7:44 PM
    #6
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
  7. Apr 7, 2019 at 7:46 PM
    #7
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2018
    Member:
    #6971
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road Premium
  8. Apr 7, 2019 at 8:56 PM
    #8
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    I think that's the one that you can run for extended time (without having to let it cool intermittently). That's the one to get, if I remember correctly. I did a bunch of research awhile back but a little foggy in my memory now.
     
    travieb1 likes this.
  9. Apr 8, 2019 at 7:50 AM
    #9
    PrettyGoodSam

    PrettyGoodSam New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2018
    Member:
    #6853
    Messages:
    766
    Gender:
    Male
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2012 4Runner Trail
    thats a great deal at $65, too. I just added it to my list!
     
  10. Apr 8, 2019 at 9:40 AM
    #10
    rkwfxd

    rkwfxd New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2018
    Member:
    #5662
    Messages:
    642
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Whittier - So Cal
    That is a great deal.

    The issue I have with those types of compressors is the low volume of air they pump out, 1.47 CFM is not much and if you are running large tires like 33s or 35s and trying to inflate from say 15/16 back up to 30ish for the drive home you are going to be camping out on the side of the road for a very long time. BTDT. It can easily take 8-10 minutes per tire which turns into 10-12 minutes per tire by the time you move from tire to tire and check pressures. Add another couple of minutes to pull it out and set it up and then disconnect it from the battery and pack it up before you hit the road and it is VERY easy to waste an hour + just filling tires. And this hour of down time comes at the end of the day when everyone is tired and waiting to get back to camp or home. My wife is SUPER patient be even she started to ask "how much longer" when I had a made in china $50 1.47cfm compressor for the jeep. She was blown away by how much fast the ARB is. I eventually just gave the other one away.

    FWIW
     
  11. Apr 8, 2019 at 10:08 AM
    #11
    4runningMan

    4runningMan New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2018
    Member:
    #7255
    Messages:
    2,552
    New Mexico
    You're not wrong. But I use this type of compressor for on board temporary or emergency use. For the truck or other random stuff. Not for airing up 4 tires. Usefulness is definitely limited in scope.
     
    rkwfxd[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Apr 8, 2019 at 11:00 AM
    #12
    rkwfxd

    rkwfxd New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 14, 2018
    Member:
    #5662
    Messages:
    642
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rich
    Whittier - So Cal

    Yes for sure. They are a great value and get the job done. I was just posting additional info for others shopping. And dont get me started on the whole CO2 canister set up. Yep, SUPER fast (if you have the high $$$ high flow nozzle) but a total PITA to get refilled. At least it was for me.
     
    4runningMan[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Nov 12, 2020 at 8:01 PM
    #13
    KSapanza4Runner

    KSapanza4Runner New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #13555
    Messages:
    111
    First Name:
    Ken
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Toyota 4runner SR5
  14. Nov 12, 2020 at 8:56 PM
    #14
    redneckj

    redneckj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2019
    Member:
    #8470
    Messages:
    115
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road 4Runner
    working on it
    I am have been using the small ViAir compressor for the last 1.5 years. NO issues at all. When you get to the last 2 tires it does take quite a while to go from 18LBS to 35 lbs. Im going to sell my Viair over the winter and go with the large GFM Smittybilt compressor.

    https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-2...a-567726806086&psc=1&ref=&adgrpid=62497261659
     
    tundradan likes this.
  15. Nov 13, 2020 at 5:37 AM
    #15
    Fltslr

    Fltslr the last hurrah

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2020
    Member:
    #17253
    Messages:
    726
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kevin
    Vehicle:
    2021 Lunar Rock 4runner Pro
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2020
  16. Nov 13, 2020 at 9:08 AM
    #16
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2018
    Member:
    #6971
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road Premium
    Yup, still using it. I love it! Purchased an extended hose for it to easily access rear tires with it. Takes about 30 minutes total to air up, but could go a bit longer, depending on how much you air down. Honestly, it doesn't seem like a long time. One thing I will say - WEAR GLOVES while using it, this compressor gets hot (as most, if not all do). Good value for the price in my opinion.
     
  17. Nov 13, 2020 at 9:37 AM
    #17
    KSapanza4Runner

    KSapanza4Runner New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2020
    Member:
    #13555
    Messages:
    111
    First Name:
    Ken
    Vehicle:
    2018 Silver Toyota 4runner SR5
    What’s your usual air down/air up PSI? And what size tires are you running?
     
  18. Nov 13, 2020 at 9:42 AM
    #18
    Grey_BoCo

    Grey_BoCo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2018
    Member:
    #6971
    Messages:
    68
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road Premium
    I've got 285/70/17 - go down between 20-25 psi then back up to 40-45 psi (recommended a little higher psi in the rear). I think recommended daily driving is 38-40 psi front and 42-45 psi in the back. I'm never too worried about the precision though
     
  19. Nov 13, 2020 at 5:13 PM
    #19
    cug

    cug New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2020
    Member:
    #17857
    Messages:
    172
    Wow, that's good to know. I definitely don't want to wait this long airing up again. Thanks for the info though!
     
  20. Nov 13, 2020 at 8:23 PM
    #20
    redneckj

    redneckj New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2019
    Member:
    #8470
    Messages:
    115
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road 4Runner
    working on it
    That’s exactly why I want the high CFM smittybilt compressor. I take my 275/70/17 from 35lbs down to 18lbs.
     
    cug[QUOTED] likes this.
  21. Nov 14, 2020 at 10:22 AM
    #21
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Member:
    #1122
    Messages:
    2,544
    Gender:
    Male
    Lexington, Ohio
    Super happy with my VIAR 400P... no issues over the past few years, inflates fast, long cord and long hose, good carrying bag with space to fit plugs and rubber cement and even my battery jumper.
     
    doublewide, DRobs and Doglover2003 like this.
  22. Nov 14, 2020 at 11:02 AM
    #22
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

    Joined:
    Aug 19, 2019
    Member:
    #10964
    Messages:
    5,536
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Gary
    Albuquerque, NM
    Vehicle:
    2019 OR, KDSS, RSG sliders, Eibach shocks, 265/70 Falken Wildpeaks
  23. Nov 14, 2020 at 11:38 AM
    #23
    Doglover2003

    Doglover2003 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2016
    Member:
    #2655
    Messages:
    441
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nick
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    '18 ORP w/KDSS
    This is really all you need. This is what I have and love it. No issues in 3 yrs of use. Good up to 35" tires.
     
  24. Nov 14, 2020 at 4:16 PM
    #24
    MeefZah

    MeefZah ---

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2015
    Member:
    #1122
    Messages:
    2,544
    Gender:
    Male
    Lexington, Ohio
  25. Nov 30, 2020 at 10:17 PM
    #25
    cug

    cug New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2020
    Member:
    #17857
    Messages:
    172
    So, we’ve been using the ARB single piston compressor (the one that comes ready to use in a toolbox) for the last few days. It works great, is convenient to use with our gauge, and is fast getting the Nitto Terra Grapplers from ~25PSI back to 35.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  26. Dec 1, 2020 at 2:19 AM
    #26
    DRobs

    DRobs New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 5, 2019
    Member:
    #8335
    Messages:
    1,297
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dan
    Missouri Ozarks
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD OR - MGM
    Pinstripes, lots of em. Plus a couple dents.
    I have a Viair 300p and use it frequently for all my vehicles and riding lawn mower. Works fast for 18psi to 32psi plus I use the hose and nozzle to air down my tires.

    https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-30033-...=1&keywords=viaair+300p&qid=1606817554&sr=8-2

    I do like that gun on the 400p. I find myself walking back and forth from the compressor to turn it on& off and the tire / gauge to get a reading.
     
    Thatbassguy likes this.
  27. Dec 1, 2020 at 9:07 AM
    #27
    koukimonster

    koukimonster DYNO4

    Joined:
    Aug 4, 2020
    Member:
    #15907
    Messages:
    839
    Appalachia
    Vehicle:
    Midnight Venture
    Bigger A/T LT Tires, Slight Lift, Sliders, Rack, Lights, etc.
  28. Dec 15, 2020 at 6:29 PM
    #28
    irfan0922

    irfan0922 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2020
    Member:
    #17018
    Messages:
    65
To Top