Perentie/4BD1 AirCon mounts?

[tc_s1]

So the wife has finally begun working with me on keeping the perentie working and well used, however she's made a request to fit an aircon unit and preferring to not go with the underdash style unit I've come across a heat/cool unit that fits where the current heater box goes, made by ministryofdefender in the UK (Defender Air Conditioning - Ministry of Defender (https://ministryofdefender.co.uk/defender-air-con.html))

Has anyone had any experience adding this to a perentie or with this company's units and if so, what did you do for the compressor mounts?

[TonyC]

I have been eyeing off that unit for my 130.

Almost all pre Defender 110s were County trim, so had AC.
So compresser mounts from a diesel "County" is what you need or copy.

Tony

Edit
In you signature I see you have a 110 County with a 4DB1, does it have AC?

How did you so many of "our" Land Rovers to the the States?

[Fattima]

No experience with the Ministry of Defender units but there a couple of threads on them on Defender source and on nas-row.com. They get mixed reviews. I think they look like a really good unit, but want to see more details on how they perform particularly in hotter climates. KLR sell an AC compressor mount for the 4BD1
ministry of defender AC units? | Defender Source Forum (https://www.defendersource.com/threads/ministry-of-defender-ac-units.160562/)

[tc_s1]

I purchased my County from its second owner and then my wife wanted a soft top, so I worked with a friend for one of the auctions. Bidding on one and its price soared and I instead moved in a panic to secure another one by bidding on two others that kept incrementing by AUD50 and when the auction ended, my friend and I found we had won both, so I was on the hook and brought them over. I do have air-conditioning in the County but may replace it with this unit as the original units don't have tremendous output. I'm out of town at the moment but will review once home to see about fabbing up a similar mount. Thank you for the input.
I have been eyeing off that unit for my 130.

Almost all pre Defender 110s were County trim, so had AC.
So compresser mounts from a diesel "County" is what you need or copy.

Tony

Edit
In you signature I see you have a 110 County with a 4DB1, does it have AC?

How did you so many of "our" Land Rovers to the the States?

[tc_s1]

The Southeastern US is a hotter climate, so I'll look up those reports too. Thank you.
No experience with the Ministry of Defender units but there a couple of threads on them on Defender source and on nas-row.com. They get mixed reviews. I think they look like a really good unit, but want to see more details on how they perform particularly in hotter climates. KLR sell an AC compressor mount for the 4BD1
ministry of defender AC units? | Defender Source Forum (https://www.defendersource.com/threads/ministry-of-defender-ac-units.160562/)

[TonyC]

Hi tc_s1

Have you seen these two build threads?

Aftermarket A/C - 300Tdi dual cab (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-and-tutorials/159365-aftermarket-c-300tdi-dual-cab.html)


Aftermarket A/C - Td5 110 Wagon (https://www.aulro.com/afvb/projects-and-tutorials/159715-aftermarket-c-td5-110-wagon.html)


Tony

[tc_s1]

So this week I was able to visit a local shop owned by a friend of a friend that is in the middle of their third installation of the Ministry of Defender HVAC kit, this one also with the Puma dash upgrade MoD also offer.

The first two units are going strong still and weathering the Southeastern US heat/humidity/dewpoint (35 degrees Celsius +/- common from May-September) very well after several months of operation and for this one being installed now, I was able to review the entire kit and all components as they were mid or pre install.

I have to say I am inpressed by the workmanship and we'll thought out design. While the standard offers two vents in the pump dash, there is enough power to run a third to a second row of seats as well, something they've done with great success already in a prior install.

I'm thinking now for the Perentie restomod, for which I am keeping much original but enhancing in specific areas, it may make sense to use a fume curtain that can be snapped/velcro'd either behind the front seats or second row front facing folders, moving between the two based on how many are in the cabin, rather than trying to cool the entire cargo space too. That should give it added margin.

I'll be reaching out to Robco soon for a new canvas, one with greater side flap visibility and insulation added to help with HVAC load in summer and winter, and now this variable fume curtain idea. I'm certain it will be expensive, but from what I've heard their product is the best and we won't be disappointed. Combined with the MoD kit, and some mild electric work, I'm hoping to have the entire project done by February (oh yes, I also need to replace the diesel tank with the KLR version, as that has started to go).

Thank you for the input, resources and links provided on this topic. I very much appreciate being a member of this community, whether I'm asking or answering or we're all just sharing.

I'll post progress on the 'what did you do one your Perentie' thread as things progress further.

[Deefa]

Any further updates on the aircon unit? Did you end up getting one as yet?

[tc_s1]

Been stuck waiting for final parts to arrive with all the maddening supply chain issues. Close but not quite yet.

[p38arover]

KLR have compressor mounts, brackets, and compressors:

Aircon Compressor Bracket 4BD1 - KLR Automotive (https://klrautomotive.com.au/aircon-compressor-bracket-4bd1/)

Aircon Compressor for 4BD1 - KLR Automotive (https://klrautomotive.com.au/sanden-aircon-compressor/)

4BD1 Engine Mount Bracket, LH - KLR Automotive (https://klrautomotive.com.au/engine-mount-bracket-lh/)

[p38arover]

Re aircon, as you are in the USA, have you looked at RedDot?

[tc_s1]

I did look at RedDot and viewed them favorably, but also found restomodair a strong contender. They make RHD and LHD compact units, and claim to have them for the Australian and UK markets. I've not yet completed the MOD unit work, but if it turns out to be less than desired once in, will consoder one of these.

Likely either way I'm debating an electric compressor instead of mechanical, running of secondary/aux battery, to help with camping and also not taking power from uphill rides at speed (the 1987 County struggled a bit on a cross country trip to Yellowstone when it was both hot and we were climbing in the mountains, so I suspect an electric compressor may help by removing that little bit of clutch load).

Has anyone had experience with an electric compressor or 'parking aircon' in a Perentie or County? I'm going to email John at MOD to see if he has any input as well, but just about everything imaginable has been encountered or tried by those already here, so thought I would ask.

Have a new Kings Canvas top coming for the Perentie in a few days, so that my next bit, then should get back on the A/C.
Re aircon, as you are in the USA, have you looked at RedDot?