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Best portable air compressor under $100?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by BaconPower, Aug 18, 2016.

  1. Aug 18, 2016 at 8:59 AM
    #1
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm looking for a quality 12V portable air compressor for under $100.

    Not too concerned about PSI rating, having a light on it or other gadgetry, I just want something that's good quality and will inflate tires when I need it.

    Yes, I know that a $300 ARB compressor is top notch but my budget is $100.

    What's the best compressor for under $100?
     
    4x4cajun likes this.
  2. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:01 AM
    #2
    Sterling_vH111

    Sterling_vH111 Go do something real instead.

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  3. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:08 AM
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    hookembevo

    hookembevo Well-Known Member

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  4. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:09 AM
    #4
    MTopp

    MTopp Professional bear handler

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  5. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:26 AM
    #5
    moondeath

    moondeath Well-Known Member

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  6. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:33 AM
    #6
    Sig45

    Sig45 Well-Known Member

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  7. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:36 AM
    #7
    kitsym

    kitsym Well-Known Member

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  8. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:54 AM
    #8
    Oday450

    Oday450 Active Member

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    I have one of these in two trucks. Works well, easy to use, and relatively quiet. Fits nicely in a GI tool bag. I don't hesitate to recommend it as a good product.
     
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  9. Aug 18, 2016 at 9:56 AM
    #9
    taco06

    taco06 Well-Known Member

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    This gets my vote. Look for online coupons. Had this over a year. Going to 20 to 40psi no problem on a 31 inch tire. Yes, gauge sucks.
     
  10. Aug 18, 2016 at 10:29 AM
    #10
    hookembevo

    hookembevo Well-Known Member

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    I'm using the factory hose and screw on nozzle. I like it.
     
  11. Aug 18, 2016 at 10:47 AM
    #11
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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    How would you attach on of these portable compressors on the available 3 mounting screws in the engine bay?
    IMG_1195_17dbca9ef7c79bd474bc0aad6314fb8a14da7c18.jpg
     
  12. Aug 18, 2016 at 10:54 AM
    #12
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    Smittybilt 2780 or 2781
    Smittybilt 2780 2.54 CFM Universal Air Compressor https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004K296N6/

     
  13. Aug 18, 2016 at 10:59 AM
    #13
    RobertHyatt

    RobertHyatt You just can't fix stupid...

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    I just bought a slime from auto zone. It was a "slime pro" that even came in an aluminum case, price was $130. This is a dual-piston pump rated at 2.5cfm. I was looking for something that could inflate in reasonable time, not take 30 minutes. They claim 0 to 35 psi or so for a standard car in 1.5 minutes or less.

    Slightly over your budget. But they do have a dual piston pump without the case, slightly lower CFM rating, for 99 bucks...

    This is quite a bit better than the lower-end viair pumps.
     
  14. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:10 AM
    #14
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Actually the Slime X2 dual piston heavy duty direct drive compressor is $80 on Amazon right now.
    As I mentionned in the first post, for me, "better" is about reliability, not PSIs and marketing mumbo jumbo. So I'll pass on the Slime.
     
  15. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:14 AM
    #15
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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  16. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:15 AM
    #16
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    MF 1050 (aka MV50) from pepboys can often be had for under 50 bucks.

    Used mine many a time and never had issues, I did put two small fans to help keep it cool but they probably are not necessary. Fits behind the rear seat on my DCSB.

    The biggest thing with these "cheaper" air compressors is keeping them cool and out of the elements when not in use, that means, dont mount them under your hood.

    FYI that smittybuilt compressor linked above looks IDENTICAL to the MF1050 at 2x the price.
     
  17. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:26 AM
    #17
    TacomaMike37

    TacomaMike37 Well-Known Member

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    Like others have said its a solid affordable pump.
     
  18. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:26 AM
    #18
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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    This is the SmittyBuilt: [​IMG]
    This is the MV50:
    [​IMG]
    They don't look identical but the criutical parts do look similar.
     
  19. Aug 18, 2016 at 11:27 AM
    #19
    Sandman614

    Sandman614 Ex-Snarky TWSS elf, Travis #hotsavannahdotcom

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    The hose is just looped up and put behind my backseat.

    *This is only if you convert it to a closed system. As most of these compressors come they are open, air blows out the hose when the compressor pumps.

    The check valve I initially bought needed a high CFM to open and fill the line/tank. When the flow was below 1cfm it wouldn't stay open and just pissed air out of the unloader port. The new setup uses an electric unloader valve (so the piston head pressure is 0 on start/restart), and a regular one way valve without an unloader built in.
     
  20. Aug 18, 2016 at 12:28 PM
    #20
    BaconPower

    BaconPower [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Ok got it. Has it all been reliable? On of my concern is exposing a light-duty compressor 24/7 to dust/heat of the engine bay.
     
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