Heat Exchanger Shower for 5th-gen 4Runners

[Skykomish]

So I've had a heat exchanger plumbed into my rig for a couple of years now and it's easily one of the best mods I've added over the years.

Probably the biggest question I get about this today is "what about freezing weather". The mount is at a slight angle, when the pump is turned off all the water naturally drains out of the system. To make certain though I just run the pump for a minute after disconnecting the shower head and the system is pretty much dry after that. Any water that does collect down at the bottom of the system (maybe an ounce or two at most) is able to freeze without damaging anything. I regularly camp in freezing weather without issue. If for any reason the exchanger did fail, it's trivial to reroute the heater hose back to the stock location.

The second question I get is does the engine need to be running. The answer is yes, otherwise there isn't anything to actually pump the coolant through the block and heat exchanger. In my experience just running the engine while showering hasn't been a problem but another option is to just cycle the water back into a bucket until it's at an acceptable temp then shut down the engine. Theoretically you could plumb in an electric coolant pump but that's not something I've explored myself.

I'm considering making a bolt in kit for the 5th gen 4Runner, what I have in mind would look quite a bit different than the picture above (different heat exchanger, mounting location/bracket, etc) but before I put in the R&D effort I figured I'd ask here to gauge interest. Back of the envelope cost would be comparable to this kit (~$645), but with brackets and hoses specifically for the 5th gen 4runner. I love my Glind heat exchanger but its very much not a straightforward install - fabrication and experimentation was definitely required.

 

[Soneill]

So I've had a heat exchanger plumbed into my rig for a couple of years now and it's easily one of the best mods I've added over the years.

Probably the biggest question I get about this today is "what about freezing weather". The mount is at a slight angle, when the pump is turned off all the water naturally drains out of the system. To make certain though I just run the pump for a minute after disconnecting the shower head and the system is pretty much dry after that. Any water that does collect down at the bottom of the system (maybe an ounce or two at most) is able to freeze without damaging anything. I regularly camp in freezing weather without issue. If for any reason the exchanger did fail, it's trivial to reroute the heater hose back to the stock location.

The second question I get is does the engine need to be running. The answer is yes, otherwise there isn't anything to actually pump the coolant through the block and heat exchanger. In my experience just running the engine while showering hasn't been a problem but another option is to just cycle the water back into a bucket until it's at an acceptable temp then shut down the engine. Theoretically you could plumb in an electric coolant pump but that's not something I've explored myself.

I'm considering making a bolt in kit for the 5th gen 4Runner, what I have in mind would look quite a bit different than the picture above (different heat exchanger, mounting location/bracket, etc) but before I put in the R&D effort I figured I'd ask here to gauge interest. Back of the envelope cost would be comparable to this kit (~$645), but with brackets and hoses specifically for the 5th gen 4runner. I love my Glind heat exchanger but its very much not a straightforward install - fabrication and experimentation was definitely required.

I'm definatly interested in this. Last month we had a ice storm come through tha knocked out the power for 4 days. We still had water and I have a generator. But all I wanted was a HOT shower.

What does the rest of the set up look like?

 

[Skykomish]

I'm definatly interested in this. Last month we had a ice storm come through tha knocked out the power for 4 days. We still had water and I have a generator. But all I wanted was a HOT shower.

What does the rest of the set up look like?

Yeah, I have/had a Road Shower 4S (for sale in another thread actually) but it's not a guaranteed hot shower. Many days it'd be lukewarm at best. I lived out of this rig for three years and had way too many days where my choice was a freezing shower or just not be clean. Usually I chose the polar option and got really good at taking 30 second showers. That got really, really old though.

Pics of how I have this set up currently, I've experimented with a few different locations for everything but this is where they're at today. I wouldn't say I'm entirely happy with this setup, access is a nightmare and I don't like how low the pump is mounted. The inlet/outlet port locations are also specific to my rig. Any product I'd end up selling would put these in different places for sure.

The pic from my first post shows the heat exchanger itself. The heater lines run through that area so it was relatively convenient, but making a bracket for it to mount against the firewall was "fun". I also ended up needing to remove the intake resonator to make room. These are both things I'd fix in any bolt on kit, you shouldn't have to modify your intake to install a shower.

Water pump, mounted next to the air dam:

Tempering valve so I don't burn myself (that water gets hot!):

Inlet and outlet ports. I've got covers I put over them when they're not in use:

Full setup ready to go:

 

[Oogs]

Nice setup. I still have my R&M Specialty Products hot shower setup from a previous rig from 2001. I used it on a 9 month x country road trip to AK and it was one of the best mods I did. Been in a box for 20 years waiting to install in a new rig. I remember camping on the edge of Lake Kluane on the way to AK and takeing an unlimited hot water shower in an amazing place w no one around. Enjoy!

 

[chrisridebike8]

So I've had a heat exchanger plumbed into my rig for a couple of years now and it's easily one of the best mods I've added over the years.

Probably the biggest question I get about this today is "what about freezing weather". The mount is at a slight angle, when the pump is turned off all the water naturally drains out of the system. To make certain though I just run the pump for a minute after disconnecting the shower head and the system is pretty much dry after that. Any water that does collect down at the bottom of the system (maybe an ounce or two at most) is able to freeze without damaging anything. I regularly camp in freezing weather without issue. If for any reason the exchanger did fail, it's trivial to reroute the heater hose back to the stock location.

The second question I get is does the engine need to be running. The answer is yes, otherwise there isn't anything to actually pump the coolant through the block and heat exchanger. In my experience just running the engine while showering hasn't been a problem but another option is to just cycle the water back into a bucket until it's at an acceptable temp then shut down the engine. Theoretically you could plumb in an electric coolant pump but that's not something I've explored myself.

I'm considering making a bolt in kit for the 5th gen 4Runner, what I have in mind would look quite a bit different than the picture above (different heat exchanger, mounting location/bracket, etc) but before I put in the R&D effort I figured I'd ask here to gauge interest. Back of the envelope cost would be comparable to this kit (~$645), but with brackets and hoses specifically for the 5th gen 4runner. I love my Glind heat exchanger but its very much not a straightforward install - fabrication and experimentation was definitely required.

Great idea! also, what intake tube is that? thanks

 

[Soneill]

Yeah, I have/had a Road Shower 4S (for sale in another thread actually) but it's not a guaranteed hot shower. Many days it'd be lukewarm at best. I lived out of this rig for three years and had way too many days where my choice was a freezing shower or just not be clean. Usually I chose the polar option and got really good at taking 30 second showers. That got really, really old though.

Pics of how I have this set up currently, I've experimented with a few different locations for everything but this is where they're at today. I wouldn't say I'm entirely happy with this setup, access is a nightmare and I don't like how low the pump is mounted. The inlet/outlet port locations are also specific to my rig. Any product I'd end up selling would put these in different places for sure.

The pic from my first post shows the heat exchanger itself. The heater lines run through that area so it was relatively convenient, but making a bracket for it to mount against the firewall was "fun". I also ended up needing to remove the intake resonator to make room. These are both things I'd fix in any bolt on kit, you shouldn't have to modify your intake to install a shower.

Water pump, mounted next to the air dam:

Tempering valve so I don't burn myself (that water gets hot!):

Inlet and outlet ports. I've got covers I put over them when they're not in use:

Full setup ready to go:

I like it. Keep me in mind if you need any "porduct testers" down the line!!
:wink2:

 

[Skykomish]

Great idea! also, what intake tube is that? thanks

HPS Silicone

HPS Silicone Cold Air Intake Tube Hose Kit 2010-2022 Toyota 4Runner 4.0L V6 57-2046 - HPS Performance Products

No complaints, extremely well made and high quality. Personally I'd never bother with something like this without another reason though, in my case I was just making space.

Engine has a bit more of a growl when you step on it but otherwise didn't do anything but let me get rid of that resonator with some bolt-on parts.

 

[chrisridebike8]

HPS Silicone

HPS Silicone Cold Air Intake Tube Hose Kit 2010-2022 Toyota 4Runner 4.0L V6 57-2046 - HPS Performance Products

No complaints, extremely well made and high quality. Personally I'd never bother with something like this without another reason though, in my case I was just making space.

Engine has a bit more of a growl when you step on it but otherwise didn't do anything but let me get rid of that resonator with some bolt-on parts.

Thank you. And that is aexactly my reason. I have a second battery near there and just want more space in that area.