Yeah, for regular use off-road that's the way to go.

That said the built in unit looks like a super convenient item to just have integrated and handy all the time. I would guess that most owners don't off-road regularly and many probably don't have a compressor in their garage. For them it looks like a very convenient way to top off tires from time-to-time.

 

I was teasing above, I hope that came across...

For me it was kind of a case of form over function. Yeah, I knew it would be slower than a high-powered portable, but it is right there, built it and easy to use.

But honestly, I haven't really tested it beyond playing with it. Now that you did that math, I need to check it out. Guess I should air down and try tonight to see how long it takes. I can report back if there is interest in knowing...

 

There is, again, if it is not too much trouble. Thank you. All valuable replies. Enjoying this forum. Hope to be helpful some day

 

I have a portable Viair compressor on my LR4. It's kept in the vehicle at all times since my commute is 100 miles daily. It's heavy. It takes up trunk space. The first one was stolen after a stint at an indy mechanic for repairs. Defender's integrated compressor is convenient.

 

My trusty Viair lives in the well under the loadspace floor normally (I have a 5-seater, YMMV if you have a 5+2.) I only take it out of there and put it in its bag when I go off-roading, since I know I'll need it and the trunk is usually loaded with fridge, camping gear and tons of other crap on those trips, so it would be a pain to get to it. Otherwise, it stays in my car at all times and takes no cargo space at all, really. I have a 400P Automatic, which as far as small portable compressors go is quite fast.

 

Actually tested it for the first time.

Started at 38 psi, took 45 seconds to air down to 20.
20psi back to 38psi took 3 minutes 38 seconds.

So, Kev's math isn't far off at all. But all things considered, I don't think it is all that bad.

 

Totally agree, being able to air down 4 tires in 3 minutes total is perfect. Typically this is needed when I park in sand near the water at low tide and need to climb an uphill slope from being parked. If I gently apply the gas and feel the vehicle dig-in and sink rather than move forward I know I need to air down. I can drive home the 3 miles on 20 psi and use my home compressor to quickly air back up.

 

Wait you can use it to pump air out too? That's cool.

I use a set of four adjustable, spring loaded de-airing valves to do the same, takes a few minutes but half that time is removing the valve caps, screwing them on, then removing them and screwing the caps back on.

I didn't mention it earlier, but I wonder about the integrated units duty cycle. Can it run for 30 minutes straight to air all tires back to max load setting or would you have to shut it down and let it cool?

Still a handy tool. And certainly 38 would get you home or down the road in less time.

 

I use two products mentioned above: Staun deflators and a Viair P400 compressor. I run 8-10 psi deflated and 25 or so inflated on my offroad tires (I have a set of dedicated 16”wheels and 37” bias-ply offroad tires for my Jeep.)

The Stauns are great because you set them for whatever poundage you want, lock the lock-ring such that they don’t get mis-adjusted, then everytime you use them just screw them on the valve stem and wait till they stop whistling, which happens when the spring overcomes whatever pressure you’ve set them to and the valve closes. It takes a couple of minutes but a) you install all of them and let them run simultaneously, and b) you can start driving while they’re airing down if you don’t want to wait. Then just stop and remove them when they stop whistling. Great product. Used them again multiple times in Moab last week; I think I’ve had them about 7 years. And don’t be tempted to buy any of the Amazon knockoffs; the Stauns are Australian, I believe, and pretty pricey. I bought a set off similar deflators from SmittyBilt (substitute “h” for “m” if you want my review) and replaced with Stauns after one trip.

The Viair P400 is solid. I replaced the hose because I hate those plastic coily cords as shown in Umbertob’s photo above, but the compressor is about as good as I’ve found in the portable arena. Also had that for 7+ years and a lot of use. I like Umbertob’s idea of just storing it in the well all the time. I’ll look into that when my D110 arrives, hopefully 7/2/21.

One other interesting twist is CO2. I had a Jeep vender make me a 5# tank; wish I had gone 10#. He powdercoated to (almost) match my Anvil Wrangler. You get them filled at a beer brewing supply house or restaurant supply. I think I pay about $18 to fill. It lasts through about 28-30 tires, iirc, but I haven’t used in awhile because I got tired of getting it filled, and if you run out of CO2 you need a backup air compressor. But the upside is, this bottle is at 850PSI so it fills a BIG tire from 10-25 psi in about 22-25 seconds. A wimpy little 255 Defender tire would take about 10 probably.

 

i took a few pics...

i was at work while you guys were posting but i don’t think the LR compressor takes up much space at all......but i haven’t really played with it yet or have used it in a real situation at all.....i work too much!