Any upgrades or swaps to improve A/C?

SurfToy

SurfToy

Member
Have run about 50K mostly-trouble-free miles in my '06, but one area that it has always been lacking is the A/C efficiency. I have had it serviced, checked and charged multiple times, and it is always determined to be in spec by reading the temp at the vents. Trouble is, it gets warm here, and the A/C can barely keep up on an 85-degree day, let alone when it gets in to triple digits. I have been in many four-banger econoboxes that blow ice cold to the point that it can be uncomfortable if it's hitting your bare skin. Any idea what the issue is, or is it just a design deficiency? Anyone else in warm/hot climes have the same observation? Any upgrades or retrofits I can consider? I would love to be comfortable in the 9-month summers we have here. :ohwell:
 
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I had the same issue with my 2005. The air was cool but I could never say it was "ice cold" despite having it serviced etc. I had a digital thermometer I kept in the truck and I could never get it below 45 or so from the center vents. I added dark tint to the windows to help but I didn't notice much difference. My 2014 was at 39/38 the other day in 80 degree humid weather. I was really happy with that.
 
When's the last time you check the cabin air filter? Also have you taken the lower panel out on the ddriver side for like radio install and such?
 
Change the dryer, buy a oem dryer from the dealer also make sure your condenser is not dirty.
 
Sounds like you have something mechanically wrong with yours or, as others have said, maybe a filter is clogged. I'm in SoCal too and my '06 blows ICE cold.

I was actually worried about it because my X5 had the coldest A/C I've ever had and fortunately, the 4Runner A/C is 95% as cold. :bounce:
 
I had my 03 4runner for 11 years in Lake Havasu City Arizona, one of the hottest places in the US. Although I traded it in this year the ac was always adequate for me.
 
Yeah we had some near 100* days here (I spent a couple days on the dry side where it was well over 100*) and it always kept up just fine, in fact I often had to turn it off auto mode and turn the power down. I also have my front windows tinted up front to match, and will be getting the backs done as well with either 35% or 50% over the factory as the factory "privacy glass" does nothing to block extra heat or UV like a quality window film. That said, I think our trucks, as well as my parent's Tundra and my 3rd gen, just have slightly weaker blower motors. They have all been that way since new, but I have to say the blower motor in my woman's CLK Mercedes is MUCH stronger than both, and it's a lot stronger than the one in my dad's Honda Accord as well.

One thing to consider, which I will be doing if I move to TX as planned next spring, is to get a clear film put on over the windshield. A ton of heat and UV come blasting through that clear glass, and while tinted windows everywhere else make a HUGE difference, many ignore the giant greenhouse window up front where most of the light comes from. I am planning on going with either 90% or 70% 3M Crystalline on mine, I sat in a car with 70% Crystalline on the windshield and you couldn't even tell it was there, but the heat blocking was incredible; you literally could not feel warmth coming through at all, whereas without anything there you would really feel heat, especially with dark pants on like I was wearing that day.
 
One thing that helped with my 4Runner was thoroughly cleaning out the evaporator. Look around for a "Toyota AC Refresh Kit" or equivalent; you need the stuff that sprays up into the evaporator drain hose like foam. It cleans/kills all bacteria off the evaporator coils. Not only did this get rid of a persistent, nasty smell but it also seemed to help with cooling efficiency. The end result is it gets the job done but it definitely doesn't create the kind of Arctic conditions I get in my BMW.
 
SurfToy said:
Have run about 50K mostly-trouble-free miles in my '06, but one area that it has always been lacking is the A/C efficiency. I have had it serviced, checked and charged multiple times, and it is always determined to be in spec by reading the temp at the vents. Trouble is, it gets warm here, and the A/C can barely keep up on an 85-degree day, let alone when it gets in to triple digits. I have been in many four-banger econoboxes that blow ice cold to the point that it can be uncomfortable if it's hitting your bare skin. Any idea what the issue is, or is it just a design deficiency? Anyone else in warm/hot climes have the same observation? Any upgrades or retrofits I can consider? I would love to be comfortable in the 9-month summers we have here. :ohwell:
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there is no need to have refrigerant charged multiple times. It never goes bad. Who ever did it for you made off like a bandit.
 
THE SENDER IS NEAR THE KICK PANEL.. a small vented area with slits/..clean it thoroughly, get clogged up with dust.

my major problem with the 4runner ac system is the position of the vents......have not been succesful in positioning them to blow directly in my face when am driving.............just sucks!
 
My AC blows nice and cold, even driving through Death Valley in July. Something must be wrong if yours is not cooling even at 85 degrees.
 
SurfToy said:
Have run about 50K mostly-trouble-free miles in my '06, but one area that it has always been lacking is the A/C efficiency. I have had it serviced, checked and charged multiple times, and it is always determined to be in spec by reading the temp at the vents. Trouble is, it gets warm here, and the A/C can barely keep up on an 85-degree day, let alone when it gets in to triple digits. I have been in many four-banger econoboxes that blow ice cold to the point that it can be uncomfortable if it's hitting your bare skin. Any idea what the issue is, or is it just a design deficiency? Anyone else in warm/hot climes have the same observation? Any upgrades or retrofits I can consider? I would love to be comfortable in the 9-month summers we have here. :ohwell:
Click to expand...

I have had the same issue with mine, never seems to be able to keep up and cooldown the cab unless driving for an extended time on the highway. My truck only has one a/c but I think there was an option for a rear A/C that probaly would help out.
 
Not to point out the obvious here, but those of us with darker colored Runners (I have Galactic Grey), will have a harder time cooling their cabs, than light colored Runners (Silver, white). It's just the nature of the beast. Dark colors absorb light and heat, and light colors reflect it. My older sister's silver Runner cools better than my Galactic Grey. Now, in a garage, with all ancillary parameters being equal, the level of cooling SHOULD BE comparable, unless there is a mechanical issue.
 
I have a black runner and my ac just blows cool/cold but not even close to ice cold like my '91 dark blue Acura Legend. A bit disappointed because its supposed to be our family vehicle. Maybe someone will have a solution since we got a bunch of bright minded folks on here.
 
Odd to see so many different opinions. This is by far the best blowing AC of any car I have owned. Live in the South, Hot and Humid. Never any issue. I do not use Auto, however, and usually leave it on LOW until the vehicle is cooled down then adjust the temp and fan speed.
 
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