Rooftop Aircon for Fender

[Koukandowie Brangus]

Has anyone been down this road?? I'm sick of the fitted aircon taking up room and leaking into the footwell. With some of the new units on the market i was thinking to mount one on the roof and plumb it into overhead vents. Anyone know anyone who has got this setup??

[Nathan]

I've seen a couple on different picture galleries around but not in real life. I'd be interested if you find anything...

Nathan

[taff]

i'm about to embark down this route myself with our 300 tdi 90 that has no aircon.
i've bought a complete 12v aircon system that usually get's fitted to sleeper cabs. i have all the bits ready but first i'm having a rollcage made, then the roof rack mounted to the cage, then i'll do the aircon within the rack so it's hidden and doesn't look awful. be a few weeks away before it's all done but will post up when it's done if you want a look.
jason

[Heggs]

I have been looking around at this as well, My defender does have air con but it is more effective to just have the windows down, the rear seats get no cool air at all, would be ok me apart from my 7 y/o complaining all the time. I have been looking at the truck mounted air con/air cooler systems.

[Heggs]

i'm about to embark down this route myself with our 300 tdi 90 that has no aircon.
i've bought a complete 12v aircon system that usually get's fitted to sleeper cabs. i have all the bits ready but first i'm having a rollcage made, then the roof rack mounted to the cage, then i'll do the aircon within the rack so it's hidden and doesn't look awful. be a few weeks away before it's all done but will post up when it's done if you want a look.
jason

What type of system did you purchase?

[solmanic]

When I did the Land Rover factory tour a couple of years ago, the custom built extended wheelbase Defender they had there to ferry visitors around in had a system mounted to the ceiling over the rear door. It looked almost exactly like the then standard under-dash unit only with a flat bottom instead of the contoured one to go around the gear stick throw.

Maybe some probing at Land Rover Home of The Legend might get you some more info. I often thought of adding one in the back of my previous Td5 to supplement the under-dash unit.

[mns488]

hi,

some good info here:

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/technical-chatter/20782-aftermarket-air-conditioning.html

Regards

[taff]

What type of system did you purchase?


this one

http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/9746/74631558pv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img105.imageshack.us/img105/74631558pv5.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img105/74631558pv5.jpg/1/)

they're not cheap to buy but i'm hoping that it'll be more than worth it. the 2 units on the right i intend to mount up top and i'm going to strip down the box on the right and either put it into the bulkhead and make my own fascia or put it in the overhead consloe that i'm making.

[Santana]

i'm about to embark down this route myself with our 300 tdi 90 that has no aircon.
first i'm having a rollcage made
jason

Hey Jason,
Who is doing your rollcage in Perth? , I'm looking into it for a 110.
J.

[taff]

Hey Jason,
Who is doing your rollcage in Perth? , I'm looking into it for a 110.
J.


santana if your seriously after one pm me and we'll talk further

this is the one we put on my 110

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://g.imageshack.us/img220/county020ap1.jpg/1/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us)
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://g.imageshack.us/img292/county021ph3.jpg/1/)

[PAT303]

I've been looking at doing the roof mounted one so I can fit a bigger intercooler and extra oil cooler in the front,the original is not good enough for the size of the body so anything would be an improvement. Pat

[Bush65]

...they're not cheap to buy but i'm hoping that it'll be more than worth it. the 2 units on the right i intend to mount up top and i'm going to strip down the box on the right and either put it into the bulkhead and make my own fascia or put it in the overhead consloe that i'm making.
That would solve some issues I have. I'll be very interested in how it works out.

[rijidij]

I don't think these units would be too cheap, but I've been told Webasto is a quality product.

Webasto Australia Webasto Compact 5 Air Conditioner (http://www.webasto.com.au/am/en/3213_990.html)

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/graphics/PS_CC_5_8.pdf

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/65.jpg

[defmec]

check out the truck mags they have heaps of different cab aircons for around $500

[idletorque]

A mate who's Defender is non air con was advised to go this route by the people who own the rights to the original Australian AMC design!

However, I'd advise not to fit it direct to the roof panel being aluminium as it simply wouldn't support the weight long term and would lead to stress cracking.

A whole separate frame system to support it needs to be developed and a roof rack suitably modified leands itself to that. However, there again, it cant be solidly mounted between the rack and the roof, to allow for movement.

So many issues to overcome, which is why it's not seen around on top of Defenders.

[Tombie]

A mate who's Defender is non air con was advised to go this route by the people who own the rights to the original Australian AMC design!

However, I'd advise not to fit it direct to the roof panel being aluminium as it simply wouldn't support the weight long term and would lead to stress cracking.

A whole separate frame system to support it needs to be developed and a roof rack suitably modified leands itself to that. However, there again, it cant be solidly mounted between the rack and the roof, to allow for movement.

So many issues to overcome, which is why it's not seen around on top of Defenders.

Easy actually... Built the frame under the roof to the sides of the framework and then bolt the unit through the lot!

[Mudnut]

I have looked into this also, and am still planning to get a "Mini Van" unit and put it in the back of the cabin above the rear door, or just behind the cargo barrier. The unit would be around $500 - $600 mark. Then plumb it into my existing compressor. Have not persued it, as I have been renovating the house, and have no disposable funds at the moment. Let us know how you go.

Cheers,
Ken

[Koukandowie Brangus]

Seems this is a popular problem

[Heggs]

yes you started something here:)

[stuee]

I don't think these units would be too cheap, but I've been told Webasto is a quality product.

Webasto Australia Webasto Compact 5 Air Conditioner (http://www.webasto.com.au/am/en/3213_990.html)

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/graphics/PS_CC_5_8.pdf

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/65.jpg

Wow with 5 - 8.5kw cooling capacity you'd want it to be good. I dont know how it compares to household split systems and that but often they are not even rated that high!

[Heggs]

Wow with 5 - 8.5kw cooling capacity you'd want it to be good. I dont know how it compares to household split systems and that but often they are not even rated that high!

should keep the beers cold too:p

[Scallops]

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/650/county020ap1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/county020ap1.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img220/county020ap1.jpg/1/)

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7376/county021ph3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/county021ph3.jpg/1/w640.png (http://g.imageshack.us/img292/county021ph3.jpg/1/)

That is it! The best looking Land Rover I have ever laid eyes on. :TakeABow:

[stuart]

mmm so this would fit within a roofrack and be out of site...once u cut out a spot in the rack for it...mmm...maybe a good option for my new project...

Stu



I don't think these units would be too cheap, but I've been told Webasto is a quality product.

Webasto Australia Webasto Compact 5 Air Conditioner (http://www.webasto.com.au/am/en/3213_990.html)

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/graphics/PS_CC_5_8.pdf

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/01/65.jpg

[stuart]

MMM $2350 plus GST and available...



I don't think these units would be too cheap, but I've been told Webasto is a quality product.

Webasto Australia Webasto Compact 5 Air Conditioner (http://www.webasto.com.au/am/en/3213_990.html)

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/graphics/PS_CC_5_8.pdf

http://www.webasto.com.au/am/graphics/products_aircon_cc5_campaign2003_art_252x173.jpg

[bent]

I have an Air con from a Mini bus installed in the rear of my 110 attached to the cargo barrier. Has turned the car into a mobile fridge.:D Utilises the standard condensor and compressor. pm me and I send some photo's if you are interested.

cheers

Ben