JACO Lightning RX4 Deflator - A Must Have Piece of Gear for Overlanding
Photography by Jordan Weaver
Airing down before hitting the trails is a necessity to improve ride quality and traction, but everyone knows that it can be a slow and frustrating process. Deflating each tire manually, constantly checking air pressure, and making sure each one is at the correct PSI is definitely a hassle.
That’s where the Lightning RX4 Tire Deflator from JACO Superior Products comes in. This deflator has been the best piece of gear I keep in my truck and makes the entire tire deflation process faster, easier, and allows you to get onto the trails a lot faster.
Why airing Down Offroad is Important
Airing down your tires before hitting rough terrain is one of the simplest ways to improve your off-road performance. Lower tire pressure increases traction, makes the ride more comfortable, and helps prevent punctures. But the process of actually airing down can be a pain-especially if you’re stuck using a basic valve tool that takes forever.
What Makes the JACO Lightning RX4 Different?
Most tire deflators fall into two categories:
Preset Deflators - These tire deflators automatically stop at a set PSI but can be unreliable and overtime become uncalibrated.
Manual Core Removers - These are the most common types of deflators you’ll see people using. These take the valve core from the tire’s valve step in order to speed up deflation but not all deflators make removal easy and can actually cause damage to the valve core.
The JACO Lightning RX4 falls into the manual core remover category but provides a faster, easier, and significantly reduces the chance of damaging a valve core with it’s design. Here’s why it stands out:
Lightning Fast Air Release - The RX4 features a multi-hole purge system that allows air to escape much faster than traditional deflators. By removing the valve core while keeping it secure inside the tool, it dramatically increases airflow, reducing deflation time significantly. From personal experience, it dropped my 33” tires from 35 PSI to 15 PSI in about 30-45 seconds per tire.
Built-In Pressure Gauge - There’s no need for a separate tire pressure gauge as you can monitor the tires PSI in real-time as you deflate by using the slide system to cover the holes.
Durable Construction - It is made from solid brass and feels very high quality and built to last. It also comes with a very nice and padded carrying case to keep the tool and provided extra cores organized and safe during transport.
Patented Lightning Mechanism - JACO’s unique sliding collar system allows for a quick core removal and reinsertion without having to worry about losing any parts, which makes the process smooth and efficient.
Safer for Valve Cores - Unlike traditional core removers that leave you scrambling to keep track of loose valve cores, the RX4 keeps the core securely inside the tool, preventing loss or damage. It also has a very ergonomic design which makes removing and reinserting the valve core simple and easy.
How to Use the JACO Lightning RX4
Push it onto the tire valve step - Simply push the connector onto your tires valve stem and the locking collar keeps it in place.
Unscrew the valve core - Push the slide all the way in and while continuing to push in, turn counter clockwise until the slide comes back out on it’s own.
Deflate tire - Pull back on the collar and you will immediately feel and hear the air quickly coming out of your tire. Continue to check PSI by pushing the collar back in and examining the pressure gauge until your desired PSI.
Reinstall valve core - Once at your desired PSI, slide the collar down to cover the air holes then push the slide back in. Tighten the valve core by screwing the slide clockwise until snug (but not too tight)
Repeat for all tires - Push in the small button on the connector to release the locking collar and repeat on the remaining tires.
Other Uses For a tire Deflator
While deflating tires is great when off-roading, the Lightning RX4 is also useful for:
Beach Driving - Lowering PSI helps prevent getting stuck in soft sand.
Towing & Hauling - Adjusting tire pressure can improve ride quality when hauling heavier loads.
Snow Driving - Increases traction on icy and snowy trails.
Emergency Pressure Adjustment - Useful if your tires are overinflated in hot weather.
Final Thoughts
For under $50, the JACO Lightning RX4 Deflator is a great addition for any overland setup and just about any driver that may need to make tire pressure adjustments on the fly. It makes airing down faster, easier, and more precise.
If you’re still using a basic valve tool, or looking for ways gear your should keep in your vehicle for off-roading or just daily driving, this is a game changer that will save you time and frustration.
All images in this article were captured by Jordan Weaver, a photographer specializing in automotive and outdoor lifestyle photography.