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Air Compressor Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Wheels & Tires' started by Anderson007, Oct 27, 2025.

  1. Oct 27, 2025 at 12:52 PM
    #1
    Anderson007

    Anderson007 [OP] New Member

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    Hey,

    This would be the best place to ask this question because of the collective knowledge.

    We recently bought a 2021 4Runner TRD Pro (venture) with a tire size of P265/70R17

    With this rig, we are planning to do some off-roading in British Columbia, Alberta, Yukon and Washington state. However, I have been reading how many people will lower their tire pressure when it gets rough enough.

    Is there an air compressor that any of you would recommend? Searching on Amazon I see options but I don't like the idea of attaching cables to the battery directly. If possible, I would prefer to use either the power socket in the back and or the cigarette lighter. However, that being said I do like some of the options where you can plug the hose to all four tires and collectively rise or lower the PSI at the same time from a central modulator control.

    Suggestions?
    Thanks!

    Screenshot 2025-10-27 at 12.41.54.png
     
  2. Oct 27, 2025 at 1:03 PM
    #2
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    For what you want to do with all 4 tires at once, you will most definitely need something that draws power directly from the battery because of the high current draw needed that a power outlet can’t provide. I have a Viair 450P but haven’t used it with my Moreflate system. I have their Airhub now and it wants a higher CFM compressor so I’ll upgrade to an ARB brushless dual.
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2025
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  3. Oct 27, 2025 at 1:10 PM
    #3
    DesertSurfer

    DesertSurfer It ain’t bragging if you can do it!

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    I have the Viair 80p I think it’s called. Purchased it from Amazon. Under $100 because I’m cheap, ha! Works well though.
     
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  4. Oct 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
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    Nick B

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    Welcome. What is a TRD Pro Venture ?
     
  5. Oct 27, 2025 at 2:06 PM
    #5
    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

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    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    Welcome sir!
    The options here are endless and up to you how much you want to spend and how frequent you are out there, in other words, are you using the system all the time. If you don't want to mess with engine bay and battery driven systems, you can also consider portable tanks that are full with air or N2 and this will allow you to air up. It really depends on how much you are willing to spend and if you are using it all the time. In my case I opted for mounting a dual ARB compressor on the engine bay and then from there the options are endless on the attachments that you use to the the tires. ARB has most of these attachments as well. I ended up buying another set of hoses that allows me to inflate the 4 tires at the same time. I'll pics shortly for refererence. Good luck! and be ready ---:spending:.

    Dust on the engine bay at 60K.jpg
    Airing up in AZ.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 27, 2025
    Anderson007[OP], Rocket-67 and Nick B like this.
  6. Oct 27, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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    ChessGuy

    ChessGuy New Member

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    Too many..... Performance: • Magnusum Supercharger • Gibson exhaust with dual black tip • Pedal Commander * PowerBrakes • Suspension – Old Man Emu BP-51 front and back with Medium load coils • Tires: AT3 Faulken Wildpeak – 285/70/17 • Wheels: Relations Race Wheels, RR7-H with -12 offset • Full roof rack and ladder by Westcott Design (removed the stock Yakima basket) • Molle storage panels by Rago fabrication • Front light brackets by Rago • Illuminator light bracket by Rago (roof rack location) Lights • Morimoto front and back with sequential signals • Morimoto fog lights and side mirrors with sequential signals • 40” Baja design light bar for roof rack • 20” S8 Baja design driving combo (winch location) • Squadron sport baja design ditch lights • S2 Chase lights by baja designs (mounted on roof) In the bay: • Odyssey 34-PC Battery • SDQH Aluminum billet battery terminals and bracket • Switch Pro 9100 with aluminum tray • Anytime front and back camera • ARB twin compressor Recovery & Protection: • Smittybilt X20 synthetic rope winch • Factor 55 fairlead and flatlink • Southern Style Off-road (SSO) low profile bumper • SSO stage 2 high clearance wings • Weekend warrior recovery kit by treaty oak • RCI – skid plates – entire vehicle + catalytic converter protection wings Interior: • Nano Ceramic IR – Avery Dennison Window tint – all windows • Several phone mounts • Upgraded Rear Hatch lift gate struts (ladder is heavy) • Boom blaster horn switch (featuring La cucaracha)
    Give him a little space would you, he just got here. o_O. The answer is....:gossip: it is an ORP with a yakima basket and that's it. Standard suspension no fox shocks or anything from the PRO BRO model, (I think) How do I know? I got one.
     
    Anderson007[OP] and icebear like this.
  7. Oct 27, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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    Nick B

    Nick B New Member

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    I was actually serious. I thought maybe it was something only available in Canada .
     
  8. Oct 27, 2025 at 2:39 PM
    #8
    Hungryhawk

    Hungryhawk New Member

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    For decades I have used the small "plug into power socket" air compressors but our stock size or larger SUV tires need a bigger capacity air compressor which draw more power (watts or amps). Seems you plan airing down then up your tires.
    Forget the plug in air compressors, good for small jobs like correcting tire pressures a couple lbs. So you are probably going from 15psi to 35psi or so - times four. I got a Smittybuilt 2780 which suits me. Got under hood mount on passenger side.
    IMG_0430.png IMG_9520.jpg
     
  9. Oct 27, 2025 at 2:44 PM
    #9
    morfdq

    morfdq New Member

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  10. Oct 27, 2025 at 3:40 PM
    #10
    Old Tanker

    Old Tanker New Member

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    Front: Hefty. Rear: LFD. Sliders: RSG. Armor: Hefty and Bud Built. Tires: KM3. Switchpro.
    I started with a portable VIAIR and later installed an ARB twin under the hood. If you go the VIAR route, make sure you get an automatic compressor that eliminates the need to turn the compressor OFF and ON between each tire fill - this allows you to check tire inflation by releasing the trigger - much easier. Avoid the cigarette lighter versions because you need more amperage than the 10 amps provided by a accessory plug.
     
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  11. Oct 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
    #11
    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    I originally bought the Viair 400P, which was awesome, but too large to carry in the vehicle all the time.

    Now I have the Viair ECV88P. It hooks up to the battery. When I use it I set it on top of the radiator cover. The hose is long enough to reach all 4 wheels without moving the compressor. It also provides the ability to set a pressure at which it automatically shuts off, which is very convenient and accurate to within ½ PSI. It will fill the stock-size tire from 15 to 32 PSI in a little more than 2 minutes. When in the included bag it stows in the side cubby of the cargo area, along with a NOCO Boost GBX75 jump starter and a Safety Seal puncture repair kit.

    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D92XCJC2?th=1

    IMG_4832.jpg
     
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  12. Oct 27, 2025 at 7:04 PM
    #12
    Thacrow

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    The millwaukee m18 works very well. Takes a few min to air everything back up from 18lbs. Easy to carry multiple batteries on longer trips.

    When you dont need it, leave it.
     
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  13. Oct 27, 2025 at 7:41 PM
    #13
    wht_rnr21

    wht_rnr21 New Member

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    I had Smittybilt for 3 years and still going strong. My only gripe is that it didnt come with a cigarette lighter plug/connector, and you have to connect directly to the battery terminals. Not a deal breaker but would have been a nice option to have.

    upload_2025-10-27_22-32-54.png
     
  14. Oct 27, 2025 at 10:35 PM
    #14
    HuskyMike

    HuskyMike New Member

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    Came here to say this. Just used mine for the 2nd time. Worked great. About 2-3 minutes per tire from 18-20psi to 36psi.
     
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  15. Oct 28, 2025 at 10:47 AM
    #15
    5thToy

    5thToy New Member

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    I've had the Viair 440P for many years and it works great. That said, since I got the Milwaukee M18 it's pretty much all I use.
     
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  16. Oct 28, 2025 at 11:31 AM
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    Captain Spalding

    Captain Spalding . . .

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    Viair makes a version of the 88p that plugs into the 7-way trailer connector. I don’t know if the trailer connector circuit will carry that load, but it might be worth investigating.
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Oct 28, 2025 at 2:32 PM
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    Jayball76

    Jayball76 New Member

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    You guys with the Vivair compressors: can you post a pic (or text) of the compressor data for your Vivair? I have this little compressor https://www.amazon.com/TIREWELL-12V-Tire-Inflator-Compressor/dp/B06ZXR9P6R which looks similar to some of the Vivairs, and I don't know if its worth upgrading.

    My compressor's data label says:
    Model: TW2003
    Voltage: DC12V-13.5V
    Amperage: 15A (but it runs from a cig lighter outlet...? Thought those were fused at 10A)
    Duration: 12-15 min
    Max Pressure: 150PSI
    Air flow: 50 L/min
     
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  18. Oct 28, 2025 at 2:39 PM
    #18
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    Mine is the 450P.

    SPECS:

    • CFM: 1.80 @ 0 PSI
    • 12-Volt
    • Permanent Magnetic Motor
    • Duty Cycle: 100% @ 100 PSI
    • Max. Working Pressure: 150 PSI
    • Max. Amp Draw: 23-Amps
    • Max. Tire Size: 275/80R22.5
    • Ingress Protection Rating: IP54
    • Max Ambient Temp: +158°F
    • Min Ambient Temp: -4°F
    • Dimensions: 12.4″L x 5.8″W x 7.5″H
    • Net Weight: 13.05lbs.
    • Power Cord Length: 8ft.
    • Primary Air Hose Length: 30ft.
    • Extension Air Hose Length: 30ft.
    • 90-Degree Twist-On Chuck Air Hose Length: 40in.
    • Inrush Current @ 0 PSI = 70
    • dB @ 0 PSI = 73
     
  19. Oct 28, 2025 at 2:55 PM
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    Jayball76

    Jayball76 New Member

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    Thank you WhipperSnapper. 1.8 CFM converts to about 51 L/min, basically the same as my compressor. I suspect the 450P's advantage is that it can maintain that flow against more backpressure, and likely has a more durable duty cycle.

    I want to have the capability to air-down and back up, but I don't want to air-down way out in the boonies then have my compressor conk out. I'm trying to figure out where the line is on cost vs. capability.
     
  20. Oct 28, 2025 at 3:23 PM
    #20
    whippersnapper02

    whippersnapper02 New Member

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    My 450P was $277 shipped in 2016. It never let me down but I need more CFM for the Moreflate Airhub. ARB brushless dual in a case is over $1000.
     
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  21. Oct 29, 2025 at 11:19 AM
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    Anderson007

    Anderson007 [OP] New Member

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  22. Oct 29, 2025 at 11:25 AM
    #22
    Anderson007

    Anderson007 [OP] New Member

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    I was looking at the Viair 40043 400P https://www.amazon.ca/VIAIR-40043-4...17e-4f3e-9589-e3116e28c2ea&pd_rd_i=B000X9AXR8

    Does it inflate and deflate? On the Amazon site it doesn't specify. Howeer, I do like how there are wo different power source options.
     
  23. Oct 29, 2025 at 11:29 AM
    #23
    Anderson007

    Anderson007 [OP] New Member

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    That is correct and it was something that was on a limited production run. It seemed like a good middle price point option for the start.
     
  24. Oct 29, 2025 at 11:39 AM
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    Thacrow

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  25. Oct 29, 2025 at 12:31 PM
    #25
    Anderson007

    Anderson007 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you for sharing this with me and especially the photos.

    It will be necessary for me to install the compressor into the engine, both for power management and time saving. We have plans to go onto more rough FSR such as the Chipmonk Creek FSR to Mount Cheam in the Fraser Valley or the Mamquam River FSR to Watersprite Lake. We did the Mamquam a couple weeks ago. About 60% of the FSR was fine and the 4Runner in 4H handled with no problems and the potholes that had wrecked other vehicle oil pans were no issue. But the final 9km stretch, the shelf road portion and uphill I just drove through it in lower gear. But after that hike it has given me much to think about. We got through just fine, and the super gnarly uphill right turn had defeated many other SUVs, the 4Runner was fine, but I didn't air down..... it has me thinking if I just got stupid lucky.

    Inflating and deflating the tires seems to be highly recommended. I also remember how long it takes to put on chains since it's one at a time.
     
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