On Board Air Compressors

[daberk]

I'm looking for an air compressor to carry in the back of the truck to refill my tires after airing down for off-roading. I've read that the ones connecting directly to the truck battery terminals work better than the ones that plug into a cigarette lighter outlet. What do you think are the best models?

 

[steveo436]

I have this thing: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Schumac...00-Amp-Battery-Jump-Starter-BE01255/207126115

Not sure if its exactly what you were looking for, but it works great as an air compressor. I like the digital PSI setting, you just put in the exact PSI you want your tires to be and it automatically stops. Its also useful for other things, like jump starting cars or charging things when camping, etc.

 

[Rob5589]

Viair is well known and used in off road. I use the 300p, works awesome, fairly quick for tires up to about 33, plenty of duty cycle, relatively quiet. Viair makes a ton of product and has a great website to point you in the right direction.

 

[B-Rebel]

I went with the viar 400p. I’ve aired down all the tires and tested it. It reinflates a tire pretty quickly and am happy with it although haven’t abused it too hard yet

 

[TruckDriver]

I've owned the cheapest wallyworld compressors to some pretty pricey viair units used for air suspension systems and they all inevitably die from wear/use/elements over time...

What's surprised me for the price is this harbor freight unit that you can buy the lifetime warranty on - https://www.harborfreight.com/catalog/product/view/id/12238/

Edit that: for the same price, you can go branded and likely buy an amazon warranty

Amazon.com: Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor: Automotive

Buy Viair 00088 88P Portable Air Compressor: Air Compressors & Inflators - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

w/a lifetime bring-it-back-when-you-break-it warranty it's the best bang for the buck for sure. use it till it dies unlike $200+ models from viair/arb etc.

and if you trust name brands, look up the parts diagrams compared to HF or non-branded units; nearly identical interchangable parts (i know, I've rebuilt at least half a dozen)

Good luck on the trail!

 

[Rob5589]

Interesting. I have wheeled with a bunch of people for years using Viair and cannot recall one failure. Not to say it can't happen but, in this "complain about everything online" world we live in, you would definitely hear about it if it was common.

 

[ZombieSlayer]

I had one from AutoZone in my Bronco for over a decade and used it almost weekly Then I let a friend borrow it 7 or 8 years ago and haven't seen it since That cheap SOB is using it to keep his leaky tire aired up on his Accord.

 

[mrbuck]

Viair 88P is what I carry under back seat,had the cheap ones over the yrs,got one of these and never looked back, Good for up to 33" tires and doesnt take long to air one up,also great for girlfriends leaky lawn tractor tires too.

 

[SynAckuL]

Here's a good comparison by Trail Recon, including a CO2 canister comparison.

 

[Paul Hodgeson]

It seems to be true that the air compressors used through cigarette lighter outlet frequently blow fuses, so I think it'd be better to choose the compressors with a direct connection to the battery. Anyway, You can look at some of them here: https://jeepequipment.com/portable-air-compressors-for-jeeps/, may be after that You would be able to make the right decision.

 

[Bobbybob]

I too am looking and keep coming back to this one.

ARB Tacoma High Performance 12 Volt Portable Air Compressor CKMP12

FREE SHIPPING! Off-Road Convenience. The ARB High Performance 12 Volt Portable Air Compressor is ideal for the rugged, off-road lifestyle. Designed for an extra

www.extremeterrain.com

 

[Smon]

I agree with the others on Viair. Small and reliable.

 

[pjz]

I have both the Viair 400p and ARB twin that I use with the Jeep JK. Both are excellent, but the ARB is better IMHO. If you are willing to hard mount and wire with appropriate size wire you really can't beat the speed of the ARB compressor. However, if you are only going to use it occasionally and want to use it in more than one vehicle I would go VIAIR. I extended the length of the hook up leads and wired a quick connect for the VIAIR prior to getting the ARB. Have the VIAIR in the back of the RAM now, but most likely will hard wire in an ARB and tank when I sell the JK. The VIAIR is also much better bang for your buck.

 

[Cease11]

I also have VIAIR 400. Can’t complain! Reliable and quick

 

[TruckDriver]

For anyone who's installed their compressor under the bed - have you also installed a tank? Can anyone share photos etc? I have a few tanks lying around, 3 & 5 Gallon, debating whether to install at all or if a reservoir is even needed

 

[Malodave]

I mounted a York 210 onto my 2008 Big Horn's Hemi Engine. I had a Viair 480C
on it at first. To fill my 2 Tanks (9 Gal) from 0psi to 200psi would take 23 minutes.
With the York at Idle it would do the same in 3 minutes. I also have tool ports
under the hood and in the bed tool box to run air tools. The Aluminum Air Tanks
are mounted to the frame rail on each side of the truck.

I picked up the York at a U-Pick auto parts place from a '73 Mercedes and paid
$37 for it. Yorks were found on many '75-'85 vehicles. You can also find them
on Ebay, but at a much higher price. Bought the hybrid Alternator pulley online.
I designed the brackets and had them cut out by a 1400 Watt Laser.

I need to workout the bracket design for my 2021 Ecodiesel when I get the truck.
It is going to be a chore because of all the hoses and the serpentine belt being buried.


Malodave

 

[Bobbybob]

I also have VIAIR 400. Can’t complain! Reliable and quick

Thanks. Ended up going this route too.

 

[Malodave]

I found this Sanden SD7H15 Clone for Short Money ($95 w/free Shipping.) I will be converting it
to just compress air and designing a Bracket to mount it onto my Ecodiesel. I will also
make a Hybrid idler pulley for the V=Belt.

Amazon.com: Mophorn CO 4478C SD7H15 1999755C3 4478SAN AC Compressor for SANDEN MCCORMICK TRACTORS CX100 CX105 CX50 1990760C1 1999755C2 1999755C3 A/C Compressor 77551 78551 75R84112DS: Automotive

Buy Mophorn CO 4478C SD7H15 1999755C3 4478SAN AC Compressor for SANDEN MCCORMICK TRACTORS CX100 CX105 CX50 1990760C1 1999755C2 1999755C3 A/C Compressor 77551 78551 75R84112DS: Compressors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Malodave

 

[TruckDriver]

I found this Sanden SD7H15 Clone for Short Money ($95 w/free Shipping.) I will be converting it
to just compress air and designing a Bracket to mount it onto my Ecodiesel. I will also
make a Hybrid idler pulley for the V=Belt.

Amazon.com: Mophorn CO 4478C SD7H15 1999755C3 4478SAN AC Compressor for SANDEN MCCORMICK TRACTORS CX100 CX105 CX50 1990760C1 1999755C2 1999755C3 A/C Compressor 77551 78551 75R84112DS: Automotive

Buy Mophorn CO 4478C SD7H15 1999755C3 4478SAN AC Compressor for SANDEN MCCORMICK TRACTORS CX100 CX105 CX50 1990760C1 1999755C2 1999755C3 A/C Compressor 77551 78551 75R84112DS: Compressors - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Malodave

I'd like to see that build @Malodave - def start a build thread when you do - I've seen this done on Jeeps and planned it for one of my builds that ran air suspension

What does it take to have it compress air? (external lubrication needed?) or have you considered a oil free compressor like this one?

If I used air constantly I'd consider it on my Rebel, but might still do it on my air ride fun car

 

[Malodave]

I'd like to see that build @Malodave - def start a build thread when you do - I've seen this done on Jeeps and planned it for one of my builds that ran air suspension

What does it take to have it compress air? (external lubrication needed?) or have you considered a oil free compressor like this one?

If I used air constantly I'd consider it on my Rebel, but might still do it on my air ride fun car

I used a Viair 480C on my 2008 5.7L Hemi Ram. It took 23 minutes to fill my 9 Gallon
dual air tanks from 0 psi to 200 psi. I used a York 210 mounted on the Hemi Engine. The
York would do the same in 3 minutes at idle. It is a little harder finding the Yorks because
they are so old.

For the Sanden 709 / SD7H15 models you open up the unit and put some good grease in
all the Internal Bearings. Since I will be using it more than the Off Road guys , I nay
have to re-grease it every year.

The Sanden is ordered and I should receive it before the end of the year. Designiing the
Brackets will have to wait until Spring. I will replace the Nathans on the 2008 with the
original Shockers from Hornblasters.com. Then move the Nathans over to my 2021
Laramie.

Malodave