Recommendations for a Reasonably Fast Mid-Tier Air Compressor?

[Aleph]

Newbie here with a Mojave. I'm taking it real slow building up my rig. I've already got a set of Stauns, and now the next thing I really need to get is a proper air compressor. I don't want to spend $1000 on this nor do I want to use my little cheapo chihuahua compressor that would love nothing more than to run laps around my truck. Don't care about airing up in 2 minutes but don't want to wait around for 20-30 either. I'm located in the Southeast and typically a weekend warrior with around three 3-to 4-day trips every year, not really rock crawling. Hope this paints a decent picture of what I'm looking for.

On-board air is a little too involved for me at this point. Don't feel comfortable drilling, mounting in the engine bay just yet (does it really make sense to mount it next to a hot engine?), or running wire through the firewall into the cab for an underseat mount. ARB seems pretty expensive at the moment. Would like something I could eventually mount in the bed using the trail rail (but that would probably require drilling and running wires as well unless someone has an easier solution). So I guess I'm looking for a portable unit.

I've been looking into Morrflate, specifically their FiveSix unit. I haven't found any posts about this one in the forums since people seem to be going for the TenSix unit instead. With their two- or four-hose set up I'd be looking at around $500 for the whole kit. Is the convenience of the PSI Pro version worth the extra $125 if I could just watch the gauge at the manifold? Should I just bite the bullet and get the TenSix or an ARB dual?

Opinions? Has anyone given any thought to a similar set up? Any recommendations for equivalent products from other manufacturers?

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[tobyw]

Are you married to the idea of an electric compressor? You might take a look at a C02 setup for the cost, portability, and ease of installation you are looking for...

 

[ChrisNLA]

I have a Viair 400P

https://www.amazon.com/VIAIR-400P-Automatic-Function-Portable-Compressor/dp/B000X9B32M/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1I7UBO3GP34AK&keywords=viaair+400p&qid=1691764468&sprefix=viaair,aps,101&sr=8-3

It's less CFM than the Morrflate, but it has everything needed in one kit. I'm only airing up 33s a handful of times a year, or less. It worked fine on the one trip I have used it on. I chose it because:

- Tire size (again, running 33s now - may keep with this size for a long time)
- All in one package (this is compressor, hose, air gun, etc)
- Portable (I drive more than one vehicle)
- Simple (no multiple hoses to roll up and pack)
- Quite (didn't know this before purchase, but this is NOT noisy - runs very smooth)

It aired up at a similar pace as the ARB single that I had built in on my previous JK.

Price went up. I bought it at $270. It's $300 now.

If you plan on going up in tire size (or already have), and absolutely cannot stand kneeling by a tire for any length of time - the MORRflate doesn't look bad.

 

[Bbannongmu]

I have 37” tires and I went with Viair 440p. Works ok. It does get hot but otherwise great.

 

[Max-t]

There’s a bunch of smitty built ones out there with different logos for half off. I have a few all-top branded products. They seem. To be well qc’d.


I got this one.

ALL-TOP Air Compressor Kit, 12V Portable Inflator 7.06CFM, Offroad Air Compressor for Truck ,Air Pump for Car Heavy Duty, Max 150PSI for SUV 4x4 Vehicle RV Tire

https://a.co/d/b9xqFO3

It’s fast. I must have gotten a rerun or something because I didn’t pay close to the current price.
I don’t know about 7+cfm. But it goes fast. I use it to go from trail pressure of 15psi back to 41 (hot 37) at least once a week for the last few months. Probably about 40-50 cycles.

Ya really need more than 5cfm for a stock Jeep tire or you’ll be there all day or just melt it.

 

[HooliganActual]

@Aleph how about something like this:
https://arbusa.com/air-compressors/portable-air-compressors/

ARB makes a portable single or twin compressor mounted in a nice “carry case”.

I started out with a ViAir 440 or similar and as others say, it worked fine but it does get hot. I got frustrated with trying to deal with that hot hunk of metal after the tires were inflated and I wanted to pack up and go home. So I bought the ARB Dual Portable and it just did it’s job, I closed up the case and threw it in the back when I was done.

I now have an ARB twin mounted behind the driver back seat but move the portable between my Wranglers if we are out in one of them. The real beauty of this option, IMHO, it’s s that when you ARE ready to hard mount a compressor, you can just pull it out of the case and you aren’t out really any extra money.

Buy once, cry once. I currently have 3 different compressors because I cheaped out the first one.

 

[Jefe1018]

I have the ARB twin, it works miracles to be honest. It is expensive and likely not in everyone's budget. If you can somehow muster up the courage to expend on it, do it, if not and IF you don't ever plan on upgrading to one, the Viair 400P was my no 2 choice, but I knew that eventually I'd like to do the fancy once. + ARB has a bunch of mounting options to make it a permanent thing vs messing around with power cables and the like,.

 

[22EcoDs]

Smittybuilt 2781.

 

[Aleph]

Appreciate the recommendations, everyone!

For the time being, I've decided to build my own CO2 system. This seems to be a cheaper, quiet, less installation hassle, and fairly robust option. Thanks @tobyw! The potential downside is safety; you want to use quality components, especially the regulator.

@HooliganActual makes a great point, and I'll consider getting an ARB dual in a carry case in the future if CO2 doesn't work out for me or needs to be supplemented with a compressor.

Amazon has a poor selection of CO2 bottles at around $160-200, so on Monday I'll check out welding supply stores around me to find a cheaper certified 10lb bottle. I may/may not combine this with a 4-tire Morrflate or comparable hose system depending on how I feel about kneeling down to air up each tire.

Here are a couple videos on building your own CO2 system if anyone is interested:


Honest channel with good info and no sponsor BS



Make sure you get a good regulator!


If anyone has experience/tips on building your own and staying safe, please share.

 

[Rockabillyroy]

Call your local shop

Appreciate the recommendations, everyone!

For the time being, I've decided to build my own CO2 system. This seems to be a cheaper, quiet, less installation hassle, and fairly robust option. Thanks @tobyw! The potential downside is safety; you want to use quality components, especially the regulator.

@HooliganActual makes a great point, and I'll consider getting an ARB dual in a carry case in the future if CO2 doesn't work out for me or needs to be supplemented with a compressor.

Amazon has a poor selection of CO2 bottles at around $160-200, so on Monday I'll check out welding supply stores around me to find a cheaper certified 10lb bottle. I may/may not combine this with a 4-tire Morrflate or comparable hose system depending on how I feel about kneeling down to air up each tire.

Here are a couple videos on building your own CO2 system if anyone is interested:

If anyone has experience/tips on building your own and staying safe, please share.

Before i got my arb twin, I bought the smittybilt co2 setup for a great price.
Problem was, no local gas shops would fill it.

Consider that if choosing to buy a tank rather than doing a tank rental swap setup.

 

[antwon412]

I have the ARB single tank compressor. I have found a couple of them online for cheap that come in the toolbox style

Call your local shop


Before i got my arb twin, I bought the smittybilt co2 setup for a great price.
Problem was, no local gas shops would fill it.

Consider that if choosing to buy a tank rather than doing a tank rental swap setup.

travel kit. I think I paid 350 bucks each for them.

You can easily leave it inside the toolbox and hook it up to your battery. Or in my case, I removed everything from the case, and mounted the compressor underneath the hood of my gladiator. Works great.


Here - https://www.stage3motorsports.com/m-1830-fpac-ford-ford-performance-arb-portable-air-compressor.html

$329


It fills all four of my 35s from about 15 psi to 37 psi when hot after wheeling all day) In about 10 to 12 minutes. Perfectly acceptable for the price in my opinion.

 

[Lunentucker]

Appreciate the recommendations, everyone!

For the time being, I've decided to build my own CO2 system. This seems to be a cheaper, quiet, less installation hassle, and fairly robust option. Thanks @tobyw! The potential downside is safety; you want to use quality components, especially the regulator.

@HooliganActual makes a great point, and I'll consider getting an ARB dual in a carry case in the future if CO2 doesn't work out for me or needs to be supplemented with a compressor.

Amazon has a poor selection of CO2 bottles at around $160-200, so on Monday I'll check out welding supply stores around me to find a cheaper certified 10lb bottle. I may/may not combine this with a 4-tire Morrflate or comparable hose system depending on how I feel about kneeling down to air up each tire.

Here are a couple videos on building your own CO2 system if anyone is interested:


Honest channel with good info and no sponsor BS



Make sure you get a good regulator!


If anyone has experience/tips on building your own and staying safe, please share.

I already had a good inverter, so I bought a pancake compressor from Harbor Freight and put together a small kit that fits into a cheap plastic tote for off-road trips when airing down might be something I want to do.

I did just order the Dewalt cordless from this thread, so I'll be testing that next week to see how it does.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...m-tests-portable-inflators.71787/post-1177063

 

[Aleph]

Ended up getting a shittybilt 2781 off Craigslist for cheap. Couldn’t pass up the deal. It works decently for my needs. I’ll probably still build my own CO2 system as well

 

[drewcnit]

Appreciate the recommendations, everyone!

For the time being, I've decided to build my own CO2 system. This seems to be a cheaper, quiet, less installation hassle, and fairly robust option. Thanks @tobyw! The potential downside is safety; you want to use quality components, especially the regulator.

@HooliganActual makes a great point, and I'll consider getting an ARB dual in a carry case in the future if CO2 doesn't work out for me or needs to be supplemented with a compressor.

Amazon has a poor selection of CO2 bottles at around $160-200, so on Monday I'll check out welding supply stores around me to find a cheaper certified 10lb bottle. I may/may not combine this with a 4-tire Morrflate or comparable hose system depending on how I feel about kneeling down to air up each tire.

Here are a couple videos on building your own CO2 system if anyone is interested:


Honest channel with good info and no sponsor BS



Make sure you get a good regulator!


If anyone has experience/tips on building your own and staying safe, please share.

Look at Preece Precision - https://preeceproducts.com/source-co2-systems
I saw someone, I think it was @Summitdan recommend them, been leaning towards going through them when my little cheap amazon compressor dies.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Look at Preece Precision - https://preeceproducts.com/source-co2-systems
I saw someone, I think it was @Summitdan recommend them, been leaning towards going through them when my little cheap amazon compressor dies.

They’re absolutely top notch. Just less money for the power tank brand name. You can get a 10lb tank, mount, 250psi regulator, and tank boot, and pay less than $400 including shipping. I air up 4 37’s simultaneously in 30 seconds, in silence.

Edit: They have 15lb tanks as well, for jut a bit more, but I wanted mine tucked under the bed rail. But a 15 would be amazing. With my 10lb I can air up more than half a dozen times.

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