Air Conditioning in a 4wd

[jtraf]

What is the opinion of the masses.

Who has it and uses it and who turfed it etc.

Just wanting to see what people believe about 4x4 that are used as 4x4 and air conditioning.

[Ben]

I've got it, and I love it.

Glad I got it (a few friends suggested it wasn't needed in a soft-top) - there are days when its just too darn hot, plus if I'm wheelin' and its really dusted I'd prefer to leave the top on and enjoy the comfort.

[HeathGQ]

I have A/C... love it, use it all the time.... dont know how I survived without it b4

[rojac]

I have it but rarley use it, thats what windows are for.

Nothing worse than getting out of an air con cab into the 40 deg heat many times a day.

[roadkill]

breaks too easily from all the bumping from 4x4ing. cost to much to keep in running order

[greg]

What is the opinion of the masses.

Who has it and uses it and who turfed it etc.

Just wanting to see what people believe about 4x4 that are used as 4x4 and air conditioning.

James,

I reckon since you have a car that isn't affected by a little bit of extra weight, and have a wife and tacker(s) to bring along in the car - the more you can do to increase interior comfort - the better.

Using Aircon in summer is no softer than using the heater in winter.

Note: I recall reading an article about the Dobbin's Engineering Truck (that won tuff truck 2002) - they have air con in that - simply because it makes using the car more pleasant.

Perhaps you could be clever and use the air con pump for tyres too? (i don't know if this is mechanically possible - but would be good if it was).

[Butt Craic]

Aside from the comfort perspective, running the air con on the small petrol engines while poinnting down a steep track gives you just a little bit more engine breaking.

I use it in mine in conjuction with the heater during winter to de-humidify the air and keep the windows clear.

[-Scott-]

Great demister, I'm getting soft (no comments about Pajero driving, thanks) and wouldn't be without it.

I can't work out how to squeeze in a second a/c compressor for an air pump, but there is no way I'd sacrifice the a/c to use the existing compressor as a tyre pump. I'd rather wait for the ARB pump to do the job.

I've tried switching it on and off on descents, and haven't noticed a difference in speed - but that may be because the Pajero doesn't have much engine braking anyway, and descents are often exciting

Roll on the new TC gears

Scott

[Area54]

Got it in all my rigs, cept for my daihatsu. Love it, would never part with it. Yep, great demister for those muddy trail days, and takes the sweat off on the hotties.

[Tasrocky]

Don't miss it at all in the Rocky, just open both the windows. But the old man's Triton is a different story, brillient, if my next rig has it i will be happy but if it don't then it won't be any great concern unless i start going on some big trips in it.

[Nev62]

Aside from the comfort perspective, running the air con on the small petrol engines while poinnting down a steep track gives you just a little bit more engine breaking.

I do the same with the Raider. Just don't forget to turn it off if you gotta hill start unless you want an interesting couple of seconds.

[Screwy]

I dont have it, but have the setup in a box which ill get around to installing shortly, I miss it in a Matt Black Patrol in summer
But such is life, Opening the window has surved me well so far.
When i install air con i will def use it in summer but remove the belt in winter to get rid of the temptation, it chews to much power and fuel in my opinion but is very ncie in summer.

Screwy

[chimpboy]

Unless my life goes to ruin... you know, a few years in jail, living on the streets, drug addiction, shit like that - I will never own a car without A/C again.

Jason

[Area54]

I dont have it, but have the setup in a box which ill get around to installing shortly, I miss it in a Matt Black Patrol in summer
But such is life, Opening the window has surved me well so far.
When i install air con i will def use it in summer but remove the belt in winter to get rid of the temptation, it chews to much power and fuel in my opinion but is very ncie in summer.

Screwy

You should use it for 5-10 minutes at least once a week, no matter the season. This keeps the oil in suspension, all parts lubed and the rubber lined hoses and seals coated with oil, preventing leaks.

[Screwy]

such wise words

[RaginRover]

breaks too easily from all the bumping from 4x4ing. cost to much to keep in running order

Hmmm must be something wrong with your setup, hoses facing the wrong way and breaking themselves, often the receiver dryer hoses run at parallel with the engine and eventually shake themselves enough to break at the big crimp fitting, I believe these need to ba angled so as to stop the engine and car from continually breaking the hoses.

I also have a mate that is an Air Con tech amongst other things.
Had AC on my '76 range rover, gassed it once and replace a hose good as gold for 3 years here in Brisbane including a fair bit of 4x4.

[RaginRover]

I dont have it, but have the setup in a box which ill get around to installing shortly, I miss it in a Matt Black Patrol in summer
But such is life, Opening the window has surved me well so far.
When i install air con i will def use it in summer but remove the belt in winter to get rid of the temptation, it chews to much power and fuel in my opinion but is very ncie in summer.

Screwy

You should use it for 5-10 minutes at least once a week, no matter the season. This keeps the oil in suspension, all parts lubed and the rubber lined hoses and seals coated with oil, preventing leaks.

One of the best pieces of advice on this board

[chimpboy]

You should use it for 5-10 minutes at least once a week, no matter the season. This keeps the oil in suspension, all parts lubed and the rubber lined hoses and seals coated with oil, preventing leaks.

Heh, mine is never switched off. I mean never... even when the heater's running the A/C is dehumidifying for me...

I love A/C. I love it more than sex or a good poo. Yeah, it's that good.

[big red]

nothing better than sitting in air conditioned comfort while your navie rockstacks for you

[Nev62]

I love A/C. I love it more than sex or a good poo. Yeah, it's that good.

Oh chimpboy, is there a sad and sordid story to your reply?

What could possibly beat a good poo?

[Area54]

You should use it for 5-10 minutes at least once a week, no matter the season. This keeps the oil in suspension, all parts lubed and the rubber lined hoses and seals coated with oil, preventing leaks.

Heh, mine is never switched off. I mean never... even when the heater's running the A/C is dehumidifying for me...

I love A/C. I love it more than sex or a good poo. Yeah, it's that good.

YEAH!!! You can't beat that feeling...

[Area54]

HEHEHE. you can have a good poo at least once a day, you can drive around in A/C comfort as much as you like...

I've tried to convince the missus that my 'unit' needs use at least once a week for 5-10 minutes or else the pipes will clog and all sorts of problems arise...

[Nev62]

I've tried to convince the missus that my 'unit' needs use at least once a week for 5-10 minutes or else the pipes will clog and all sorts of problems arise...

If you workout how to do this, then post. I've been trying for the last few years and my missus still smiles as she says "bugger off"

[Screwy]

Yeah, ur absolutely corect chimpboy.
Nothing on earth beats a good poo.

Screwy

[greg]

There you have it james... It looks like you should go ahead and put air con in your car - but you should also get a port-a-loo...

[bj on roids]

Don't miss it at all in the Rocky, just open both the windows. But the old man's Triton is a different story, brillient, if my next rig has it i will be happy but if it don't then it won't be any great concern unless i start going on some big trips in it.

Location: Tasmania

[V8Patrol]

It came fitted in my main rig and was turfed when I did the chev conversion..... I didnt use it so why have it there !...... take the top off its so much cooler !!

It came fitted in "little red" and was kept after the V8 went in.... needs a regas tho and again its rarely been used but I'll leave it fitted in this rig.

"old yella" ( 1980 MQ SWB DATSUN !! ) is my 3rd rig and it doesnt even have a radio !!!! air con hadnt been invented when they built it !!!

[RaginRover]

"old yella" ( 1980 MQ SWB DATSUN !! ) is my 3rd rig and it doesnt even have a radio !!!! air con hadnt been invented when they built it !!!

1941 cadallic had factory air (as an option)

[jtraf]

That's what I was thinking as well.

My current rig has air con and I use and abuse it all the time but the newer rig I was looking at was without air con. I am of the belief that retro fiting an old air con kit never really works well and will wait till I find a car with air already fitted. Till then enjoy the cool refreshing breeze on a warm summer day.

cheers

James

[Kell]

I have it in mine, wouldn't buy a car without it.