Center Console A/C mod

[CrazyNorwegian]

I've seen a few other vehicles do a mod like this, but I haven't seen it done in a 5th gen yet. I did this mod a few weeks ago after trying to find a place to mount my yeasu ft-2900r 2m ham. The radio is essentially a giant heat sink with no fans that can transmit at 75 watts. Heat generation on this radio is quite high at those levels so they recommended mounting it in a well ventilated area. I already had my cb in the center console, so I decided to add the yeasu in there as well. The problem with the center console it is small with little area for air circulation. So it got me thinking and I did this mod.

Essentially what I wanted to do was tap into the rear vent and direct it into the center console. I headed over to home depot and picked up a pvc reducer bushing and plug that matched in size. I already had the center console apart for the wiring on the radio, but I did have to remove the rear vent cover and ducting. The rear vent cover easily pulls off, but the ducting is held on by 2 front screws, and 1 screw under the center console which requires lifting the center console from the rear and using a short Phillips screw driver to remove. Basically all you have to do is drill a hole that matches the pvc fitting you have through the inside rear of the center console into the rear a/c ducting and screw the pvc fitting through both. Since there is not much room for a drill in the center console its easier to punch a pilot hole into where you want to drill, and work from the back side of the center console. I used a 1"x 3/4" pvc reducer, but other sizes would work depending on how much air flow you want.

Once complete it works great. With the rear vent open it has a small amount of air flowing into the center console. But, If you close the rear vent it blows very strong. Close all the other ac vents in the cabin and it will blow papers right out of the center console, and keep it to a near freezing level. I can also remove the radios easily and probably fit the better part of a 12 pack in there. If I don't want to use the vent I screw the threaded pvc plug into the fitting.

Some photos

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

Ran a quick test with a wireless thermometer. Best I could get was 39 degrees inside the center console while at idle with an outside tempature of 91 degrees. I'll try to get an accurate number while driving with more air hitting the condenser.

 

[[email protected]]

Do that to keep some water bottles cool!

 

[kapp_badbloodz]

Nice :thumbsup:

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

Water bottles, beer, sammiches, medical specimens. I guess what ever you can fit in there will work

 

[Danimal]

I really like this. It's the next best thing to the non-US spec Land Cruisers with the center console fridge/freezer with ice cube tray.

The 39 degrees; is that with other vents open front & rear with the cabin at a comfortable temp, or were you going all out trying to get the best console temp you could? Trying to figure out what to expect on a typical summer road trip.

Again, thank you!

Dan

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

I really like this. It's the next best thing to the non-US spec Land Cruisers with the center console fridge/freezer with ice cube tray.

The 39 degrees; is that with other vents open front & rear with the cabin at a comfortable temp, or were you going all out trying to get the best console temp you could? Trying to figure out what to expect on a typical summer road trip.

Again, thank you!

Dan

I had all but the front passenger side, and rear vents open. I'm pretty sure the tempature was limited to the air tempature of the ac. The starting tempature in the car was over 90 degrees. I ran the test for 30 min while stationary, It was cool in the cabin, and the tempature in the center console was still dropping slowly. You may be able to freeze ice cubes in it if the vehicle was in motion. The radiator fan can't cool the condenser like driving at 70mph can, and it wouldn't hurt to add insulation In the center console for better efficiency. It funny I remember when I was younger my family had a 1985 toyota van that had a factory fridge/ice maker. That thing came in handy on many occasions. I'll do another test on my commute to work tomorrow morning with a cooler starting temp.

 

[phillyd2]

Clever mod, well done. But I'm surprised how low the temp gets.

 

[Diver Deuce]

Do that to keep some water bottles cool!

"Water bottles"

 

[toyo]

Nice mod. A suggestion I would like to make is when someone does this next you might want to have a male end sticking up about 1/4 inch into the console so you can screw a cap on it in the winter time. The console will get pretty warm in the winter with the heater going. Or you could just it for a glove warmer in the winter!

 

[jrob]

39 degrees? Fahrenheit?
Furreal?

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

Nice mod. A suggestion I would like to make is when someone does this next you might want to have a male end sticking up about 1/4 inch into the console so you can screw a cap on it in the winter time. The console will get pretty warm in the winter with the heater going. Or you could just it for a glove warmer in the winter!

That's why I used a pvc reducer. It's threaded on the inside and outside. I screw this little plug right into it, and keeps it flush

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

I tried the test again, this time driving. After 30 minutes, it was 40 degrees (Fahrenheit) So it doesn't look like you can make ice Cubes. Still it works well to keep stuff cool, and for less then $5 and a couple hours of work, it was worth it.

 

[Danimal]

Did this today, using the same parts. Looking forward to putting 6 packs of....soda in there.

Seriously, just soda.

Dan

 

[Ron4RNevada]

From past experience, most vehicles are designed to put out approximately 39 to 41 degrees air temperature. Doesn't matter whether its GM, Ford, Chrysler, LR, Honda, Toyota - - - - whatever.

If lower you would be taking the system apart all the time to chip the ice out of the system.

 

[kapp_badbloodz]

"Water bottles"

this

 

[CrazyNorwegian]

From past experience, most vehicles are designed to put out approximately 39 to 41 degrees air temperature. Doesn't matter whether its GM, Ford, Chrysler, LR, Honda, Toyota - - - - whatever.

If lower you would be taking the system apart all the time to chip the ice out of the system.

Makes sense. I guess the only way to get it any colder would be to route the ac coil directly into a cooler. At that point your better off buying an arb fridge.