Gen 5 AC in the Desert

B

bap

New member
Here's my question. I've got a LC100 and am looking to go to something a bit smaller, that will still tow a fair load -- nothing terribly exotic. T4R is at the top of my list. The AC on my 2004 LC100 is amazing in the summer here in Phoenix. The system is sized well and has vents in the ceiling, which I think adds to the distribution of cold air.

The Gen 5 T4R appears to be a great vehicle, but AC is different in how it vents. Has anyone noticed how well (or poorly) the AC performs in the harsh summer heat we have in Phoenix, Yuma, or any other intense desert location?

Thanks,

Bruce
 
Register to hide this ad
I've driven my trail in 105 degree weather with the AC on. I usually drive with the vents pointed at me during those times, because it just gets so hot.

But in the normal SoCal weather I get, maybe lower 80s, I never use the AC.

Should be good as any other car, but I can't compare this with your car now.

Kelvin
 
bap said:
Here's my question. I've got a LC100 and am looking to go to something a bit smaller, that will still tow a fair load -- nothing terribly exotic. T4R is at the top of my list. The AC on my 2004 LC100 is amazing in the summer here in Phoenix. The system is sized well and has vents in the ceiling, which I think adds to the distribution of cold air.

The Gen 5 T4R appears to be a great vehicle, but AC is different in how it vents. Has anyone noticed how well (or poorly) the AC performs in the harsh summer heat we have in Phoenix, Yuma, or any other intense desert location?

Thanks,

Bruce
Click to expand...

I've not run my AC in the typical summer head of Phx, but after sitting in the sun for a few hours, out at McDowell Mountain Park back in March while visiting my parents, the AC cooled my 4R off pretty quickly.

I'm sure others who live in the valley will be able to provide more 411.
 
The LC100 has a lot of cubic feet in the cabin. It is amazingly cold in the heat of the summer for such a large cabin.
 
I was stationed in Yuma for a few years 118 was last summer's highest temp. It wasn't too bad. Crank the AC on high and point the vents at you. Took a couple of minutes to fully cool off though.
 
It's a pretty lame AC system. Blows cold air quickly... but does not move much air volume for such a big interior.

Takes a while to cool down in severe heat after sitting out in 100+ all day.

Its adequate, but I would not call it a fantastic climate control system for extreme conditions. I'm sure the LC is much better.

You also mentioned towing...... Not a great tow vehicle either. Just being honest.
 
I am very happy with everything in my 2013 Trail except the *&^% A/C.

Recently I had Solar Guard window film put on the front windshield and moonroof. It helps with the heat rejection but unless you run it on high fan, it just takes too long and still has to run on higher fan speeds.

My comparison is 2 GM vehicles, a 2000 Astrovan and my son's 2007 Cadillac CTS. Both will do a very quick cool down and can be run on a low fan speed after that even in the desert in Laughlin/Bullhead. Of course my son gives me crap about it, but I ask him what can you do when the pavement ends?

I would not pass on the 4Runner because of this, just put up with the fan noise and slower cooling. Like I said, I'm very happy with everything else.
 
the HVAC system in the 5th gens are pretty lacking. struggles to keep cool in the summer and barely has the balls to keep warm in the winter. though this is just my opinion coming from Jeeps where the AC is run by hades and the heater, also known as a furnace is stoked by kathulu himself
 
I've never had any major complaints about the AC in my 4runner in Phoenix. Getting good window tint will help alleviate some of the heat while your car sits out during the day, too.

Just roll the windows down when you first get in to exhaust all the super hot air, roll 'em back up and should be nice and cool.
 
Zero problems here but my Runner is white with no sun roof and solar tint so that's a big plus! I am gonna state the obvious but you don't see many dark colored vehicles that normally operate in extremely hot environments for a reason!
 
Last edited:
Here in San Antonio it gets real hot in the summer, (not quite Phoenix hot, but close) like near 100F every day and I've always been satisfied with the AC and thought it cooled down pretty quick. But my last vehicle was an old a$$ Suburban (1987) and the AC sucked donkey balls. The interior of that thing is the size of the Astrodome and even with the AC on full blast it wouldn't cool down the interior on my 20 minute commute home in the summer.

Edit: Get the front windows tinted. Makes a huge difference. And I also have one of those heatshield things that's custom fit to the windshield. I know a lot of people laugh at them, but It keeps a lot of sun and heat out of the interior.
 
Had no problems running the AC last summer here on the face of the sun. Does take slightly longer to cool things down but then again 110+ day in day out with the lows being around 95 in the summer, things really don't cool down as you know.
 
We just moved from TX where you spend weeks in triple digit temps. I can tell you for sure, if you plan on using the third row, it gets NO AC. Two of my sons sit in the third row and they cook back there. I'm not exaggerating, they literally sweat and turn pink. we will not go anywhere more than 15 min away with them back there in summer, or we take two vehicles. The AC just does not do much past the driver seat in either of my 5th gen when the temp is north of 100. In comparison, our Sequoia cooled all three rows great, but it also had rear air.
 
If you have a Landcruiser consider getting a slightly user Lexus GX460. Similar size to 4Runner but quality is increased.
 
I'm coming from a 4th gen 4runner, and maybe there were improvements made from 2010-2013 models to 2014+ models (I have a 2014), but I think it works pretty well here in Phoenix. As with anything it takes a few minutes to truly cool down to where you're going to turn it down from high to a lower setting, but I don't think it's bad at all and my wife and daughter have no complaints (and 5 year olds don't hesitate to share their opinions). I don't have the third row, which likely helps since it doesn't have roof ventilation.

The other thing that I suggest if you go the 4R route is to get remote start...I wasn't consistent in using it in mine but when I did it made a world of difference. But DO NOT get the factory remote start, which is a big reason why I don't use mine consistently, because it sucks. The remote range isn't nearly long enough and the dumb thing shuts off as soon as you unlock the vehicle. I'll be adding an aftermarket remote start to mine eventually.
 
I'm in Las Vegas. We had an '06 LX, which had the ceiling controls and vents, and was great for a/c. I now have a '14 SR5, purchased last July (109 that day, according to accuweather.com). I have no experience with the 3rd row temps, but the a/c works well enough for me and 2nd row. I don't recall any passenger complaints. I also have matching tint on the side windows, no tint on the windshield. No experience towing.

SR5 and LTD have different A/C systems i think. I am not sure if that includes different/better vents.
 
I live in NM but go to Las Vegas often where it is triple digit heat in the summer as well. I feel the AC in both my 4runners works pretty good. The difference is the fan is louder in my 4th gen.

The worst AC system I've experienced was in my 2012 F150. That thing just wouldn't cool down.

The best AC system was in a 2004 silverado I once owned. It could freeze me and I like it cold.

Instead of pointing the vents right toward you, try adjusting them so they direct the air just above you. Seems to make a difference.
 
I live in Las Vegas where it get's over 100 degrees in the summer. IF my car if parked outside for any length of time and I'm getting ready to get back into it, I use my key fob to open all the windows and moon roof (except for the rear window) to expel all the hot air and once I start up my car I roll the windows back up and click on auto. It's blows cold and cools down fairly quickly, the vents could be a little bigger but I can't leave it on full blower for long as I get too cold.
I've never sat in the back of my car so I cannot comment on the air in the back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 483 (members: 0, guests: 483)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,315
Messages
3,554,104
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top