What Air Compressors are you using?

Steve B

Jul 21, 2023

Looking for a portable or mounted air compressor that doesn't break the bank for airing down and back up after wheeling. What does everyone use.
Space is an issue. I am in a 2 door.
Thanks for any insight.

Last edited by a moderator: Jul 21, 2023

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Jul 27, 2023

#20

I've been rolling with Slime Pro, and a J.T. Brooks automatic tire deflator. You can set the air-down pressure, and it stops when it reaches that psi.

CO OBX 2dr. 2.7l, 4.27 rear locker, tow, Lux, Aux switches, roof rails, Roast Leather. 7/14/20 res, 1/30/21 order.
12/13/21 build week. Blend date 12/16/21 Built 12/29/21 Brought home 1/1/22

Deano Bronc, Steve B

Jul 27, 2023

#21

I use the Smittybilt Air Tank, you fill it with Co2. It’s 10 pound but last quite a while, o air down a lot wheel wheeling so it gets a lot of use and last about 20 fill ups

2023 Badlands 2.7 Sasquatch, Hi Lux, Leather, Eruption Green, 4 door soft top. First day reservation holder, 933 days later I finally received in February 2023!

Steve B, Chief Ron

Jul 27, 2023

#22

Steve B
Looking for a portable or mounted air compressor that doesn't break the bank for airing down and back up after wheeling. What does everyone use.
Space is an issue. I am in a 2 door.
Thanks for any insight.

I picked up a 6.35 CFM air compressor on Amazon. ARB sounded good, but I wasn't feeling to confident about long-term mounting under the hood, both from heat and water perspectives. Plus, they are seriously expensive. I looked at reviews and opted for a portable. I keep it in the back on off-road excursions. It's been solid. The unit doesn't get hot after inflating all four tires. nd I don't shut it off between tires, I just carry the hose from one tire to the next. We've been using it about twice a month. It takes about two minutes per tire to air-up, which is faster than airing down. :)

It looks like they've slightly changed the hose that goes with it. Search Amazon for 6.35 CFM inflator and the one I got has a copper-colored shell.

I purchased deflators from Rhino as well.

Steve B, Chief Ron

Jul 27, 2023

#23

Ditto on the ARB twin with Thors lightning. My experience is I can inflate all 4 35s for high teens to 39 in about 5 minutes.

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Steve B, Chief Ron

Jul 27, 2023

#24

timhood
It looks like they've slightly changed the hose that goes with it. Search Amazon for 6.35 CFM inflator and the one I got has a copper-colored shell.

I purchased deflators from Rhino as well.

Is this the RhinoUSA tire deflators? This is an Amazon offering for $8, seems identical to the RhinoUSA at $10 (currently out of stock).

Some go up to $100 (or so). Hard to figure where a good price point is for decent quality and affordability.

Steve B

Jul 28, 2023

#25

If anyone needs the incentive, I'm marking down all compressors $30 till the end of the month with code BNATION at checkout. This makes the base model Trickflate $100 flat. I'm actually losing money on them at that price but I need to make some room. https://td-distributing.myshopify.com/products/trickflate-dual-cylinder-12v-300-l-min-air-compressor

Deano Bronc, Jakob1972

Jul 28, 2023

#26

Tricky Dick
If anyone needs the incentive, I'm marking down all compressors $30 till the end of the month with code BNATION at checkout. This makes the base model Trickflate $100 flat. I'm actually losing money on them at that price but I need to make some room. https://td-distributing.myshopify.com/products/trickflate-dual-cylinder-12v-300-l-min-air-compressor

Sounds like a good deal.
Nice to see you out and about -- here, at least. Did you get into the ~~censors'~~ bad side over at the other side?

I'd appreciate your thoughts on a tech matter, involving your competition. As you may have noticed on other threads, I have the ThorsLightning setup. More money than yours, but I try not to indulge in to buyer's remorse and it's given me good service the five times I've used it. "Elias," one of the Thors owners, told me that they've done something with the NAPA 300lpm circuitry that protects the compressor from excessive back pressure, allowing a person to safely air up one tire at a time (which I haven't done yet).

Your system, if I understand it, is designed for a four-tire setup, with a warning not to air tires one-at-a-time because backpressure would put too much strain on the compressor.

So: has Thors done something special here? Any chance they're pulling a fast one here? The damage to a compressor wouldn't show up until after a few years. Have I mis-heard the warning on the Trickflate about not airing up tires one-at-a-time?

Lastly, I noticed recovery boards don't show up on your business page. I had a disappointing experience with RhinoUSA's boards (Wilson Hot Springs, Utah--mud!) so I bought yours. Still looking for a chance to try them out!

Chief Ron

Jul 28, 2023

#27

BostonBadlands
Sounds like a good deal.
Nice to see you out and about -- here, at least. Did you get into the ~~censors'~~ bad side over at the other side?

I'd appreciate your thoughts on a tech matter, involving your competition. As you may have noticed on other threads, I have the ThorsLightning setup. More money than yours, but I try not to indulge in to buyer's remorse and it's given me good service the five times I've used it. "Elias," one of the Thors owners, told me that they've done something with the NAPA 300lpm circuitry that protects the compressor from excessive back pressure, allowing a person to safely air up one tire at a time (which I haven't done yet).

Your system, if I understand it, is designed for a four-tire setup, with a warning not to air tires one-at-a-time because backpressure would put too much strain on the compressor.

So: has Thors done something special here? Any chance they're pulling a fast one here? The damage to a compressor wouldn't show up until after a few years. Have I mis-heard the warning on the Trickflate about not airing up tires one-at-a-time?

Lastly, I noticed recovery boards don't show up on your business page. I had a disappointing experience with RhinoUSA's boards (Wilson Hot Springs, Utah--mud!) so I bought yours. Still looking for a chance to try them out!

I opened a new account there for banter but I'm no longer a vendor or talk about my business.

Thor is doing all the mods that DIYers have been doing to the Maxi Trac. It's a good unit if you just want to buy and be done. It's not snake oil and you shouldn't have any regrets.

The unmodified version that I and some others sell can be built the same way at home for those that want to save a buck and like to tinker.

I discontinued the traction boards because shipping was killing me.

BostonBadlands, Chief Ron

Jul 28, 2023

#28

Tricky Dick
I opened a new account there for banter but I'm no longer a vendor or talk about my business.

Thor is doing all the mods that DIYers have been doing to the Maxi Trac. It's a good unit if you just want to buy and be done. It's not snake oil and you shouldn't have any regrets.

The unmodified version that I and some others sell can be built the same way at home for those that want to save a buck and like to tinker.

I discontinued the traction boards because shipping was killing me.

Thanks. I greatly appreciate your honesty.

Jul 28, 2023

#29

ressig1
I've been rolling with Slime Pro, and a J.T. Brooks automatic tire deflator. You can set the air-down pressure, and it stops when it reaches that psi.

Thanks a lot. I am picking up a set of the JT Brooks. I am gonna go with the pro series. Probably gonna go with a cheap inflator for now and step up when I start getting aggravated with the slower process.

Jul 28, 2023

#30

It's your gear and your money, but speaking philosophically, I've learned in my geezer years that "cheap is expensive," even though I try to "make do" with something cheaper. Only to regret later.
Speaking real-world, I bought Mabbet (iAG = twin) mudflaps, only to have them break on the trail. So I abandoned them, bought RokBlokz at three times the price, and am very happy with them. Why knowingly put up with substandard gear when you know you'll have to spend that, and more, money for a replacement or upgrade later? Not to mention the risk of failure out on the trail. Plenty of good gear at good prices being discussed on this thread. Go back to page one!

Sven

Jul 29, 2023

#31

My tires aren't that big but I'm using just whatever I got for Christmas after losing my Slime one last year. I liked the Slime so that I can set it to a certain pressure and it stops there. This new one, I have to get it close then check with a manual pressure gauge.

Jul 29, 2023

#32

Sven
Was it THIS big?

nowthat is a Koi pond!

Sven

Jul 30, 2023

#33

A lot of discussion (so what else is new?) on the other site. This thread on compressors is up to five pages. Hope there's useful info for people here.

https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/what-air-compressor-do-you-use.78025/

Jul 30, 2023

#34

Pretty sure there are numerous threads and posts here about this topic previously

BostonBadlands, Sven

Jul 30, 2023

#35

Just type air compressor into the search function and you will find numerous threads with references about air compressors.

Jul 30, 2023

#36

Ryobi P747 Inflator/deflator with 18v battery to keep it simple. Has easy set and auto stop when it hits the PSI you set. Works perfectly for all my vehicles including airing up my 33" tires on my 2 door and doesn't take up much storage space

MY21 2dr Black Diamond 7MT Velocity Blue!

Sven, TK1215

Jul 31, 2023

#37

BostonBadlands
No shortage of threads on this! I am an enthusiastic customer of the ThorsLightningAirSystem, run by a few guys in Colorado ($670). Everything you need for the price of the ARB 2-cylinder compressor alone. The core is the 2-cylinder NAPA-based compressor, a 300 lpm pump. I air from 10 to 40 psi in just under 4 minutes. The package includes the compressor, a pair of 2 (x2)-chuck hoses (you air all 4 tires simultaneously with) a manifold, a single-tire hose, an extension hose, plus fittings and bags, and their molle mounting cage (see below). The hoses in their bag squeezes nicely in between the roll-over strut and the rear window, and holds all my tire stuff: my wheel lock keys, my Boulder Tools tire repair kit, etc.

Thor's is the only system I know of which allows the NAPA 2-cylinder to be permanently mounted: it bolts to the hardtop tie-down bolts along the rear window, utilizing the cubic space over the right rear well.

Their customer service is great. I had a defective manifold, they replaced it in an instant and included an upgrade on their valve chucks. I get no compensation, but mention "the ex-cop in Boston" if you phone them.

https://thorslightningairsystems.com/products/the-ultimate-setup-6th-generation-ford-bronco

Thanks for the info. This one looks interesting. I contacted them to see if the mount fits 2 door as well as 4 door. A lot of rear cargo area things do not transfer between both. I want to permanently mount, but I don't want to spend 1k doing it.

Jul 31, 2023

#38

Steve B
Thanks for the info. This one looks interesting. I contacted them to see if the mount fits 2 door as well as 4 door. A lot of rear cargo area things do not transfer between both. I want to permanently mount, but I don't want to spend 1k doing it.

I believe they now have one for the 2-Door, but only for hardtop, as it utilizes the holding screws on the hardtop's rear-most roof section (I call it the "cabinet"). Their site illustrations show it in position, but not a closeup on the bolting. I was on the trail yesterday, and timed my total air-up procedure, from removing my valve caps, working hoses, compression, storing hoses, replacing valve caps: 14 minutes working at a relaxed, leisurely pace, 4 minutes actual compression (25psi->40psi) time. Could do it faster, I'm sure.
If you go for the permanent install, consider putting a remote switch in. I now sit at the dashboard and monitor my airing-up on the dash. Here's mine:

Steve B

Jul 31, 2023

#39

BostonBadlands
I believe they now have one for the 2-Door, but only for hardtop, as it utilizes the holding screws on the hardtop's rear-most roof section (I call it the "cabinet"). Their site illustrations show it in position, but not a closeup on the bolting. I was on the trail yesterday, and timed my total air-up procedure, from removing my valve caps, working hoses, compression, storing hoses, replacing valve caps: 14 minutes working at a relaxed, leisurely pace, 4 minutes actual compression (25psi->40psi) time. Could do it faster, I'm sure.
If you go for the permanent install, consider putting a remote switch in. I now sit at the dashboard and monitor my airing-up on the dash. Here's mine:

Thanks for the help. I contacted Thor and they said they do not stock the mount for the 2 door because demand isn't high for the 2 door mount. There is a 1-2 week lead time to build the mount. I am probably gonna buy from them. It seems like a good unit for the money. I prefer to mount it in the Bronco. I am limited on floor space.

Jakob1972

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