Disco 2 Rear AC install

[mad85]

follow up from my ac-upgrade thread I have bought "most" of the components for a rear-ac retrofit. and now on to planning to install everything, trouble is I seem to be able to find lots of people 'thinking' about doing it but not much info, maybe photos of wip or diagrams of how to plumb the high/low pressure pipes for the rear evaporator. Anyone who has actually done it could share some details maybe a few photos of how to pass everything? also does the dashboard need to come off?

 

[lynall]

Bet you 50p that no one in the UK will have done it.

See no reason to remove the dashboard.

 

[mad85]

Looking at the diagram from Rave i dont think removing the dashboard is required:

looking at it I also need the engine bay pipes as the one i have doen not have the T connection near the service port. all in all however it does not look too complex

 

[sierrafery]

In the WSM where you saw that pic check the "repairs" section where it's described how to feplace the rear aircon parts so you can figure it out whar's about

 

[kermit_rr]

Naive question. Why is this an option? Shouldn't the AC in a car be suitable to cool the vehicle, not just blow a bit of cold air on the front seats?

 

[mad85]

In the WSM where you saw that pic check the "repairs" section where it's described how to feplace the rear aircon parts so you can figure it out whar's about

good advise, thanks

 

[mad85]

Naive question. Why is this an option? Shouldn't the AC in a car be suitable to cool the vehicle, not just blow a bit of cold air on the front seats?

not sure how to answer. in the case of the d2 in the climate where I live, the standard front ac vents are decent in spring but in summer kids complain from the rear seats, and i cannot disagree with them. i would complain as well. in reality, in full summer it is barely good enough for the front seats . the optional rear ac system provides an extra blower and evaporator exclusive for the rear seats and even for the boot seats, which I dont need and plan on blanking off to get more air on the second row of seats

 

[ifloochies]

I think the standard system is very well designed and does a good job of keeping temperatures in the cabin at comfortable levels.
Mine doesn't have rear AC, and with my family of 4 onboard, it can and does get a bit too cold inside on long runs, even with outside temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius.
I have a new Pajero/Shogun which came with rear AC, but similarly I have found that it is rarely ever needed.

 

[mad85]

I think the standard system is very well designed and does a good job of keeping temperatures in the cabin at comfortable levels.
Mine doesn't have rear AC, and with my family of 4 onboard, it can and does get a bit too cold inside on long runs, even with outside temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius.
I have a new Pajero/Shogun which came with rear AC, but similarly I have found that it is rarely ever needed.

On long runs yes, but in Malta they are never long runs. in stop/start ac is rubbish, especially if it has been sitting baking in the sun. I can compare it to any other car i have owned and this one def has the worst ac performance

 

[Andy Warren]

I must admit the rear air con in mine has been great in the current temperatures keeps the dog lovely & cool. I have a few pics some where of the ducting & the ac unit behind the l/h rear boot liner when I was having the roof liner re-covered if you need them I'll put them on. As SF says there's only the pipe work to the rear unit, the ducting under the r/liner & cutting the five holes in the roof liner for the vents & switch (hope all the wiring is there on the electrical side of things). If you need any pics please let me know & I'll help if poss, all the best.

 

[mad85]

I must admit the rear air con in mine has been great in the current temperatures keeps the dog lovely & cool. I have a few pics some where of the ducting & the ac unit behind the l/h rear boot liner when I was having the roof liner re-covered if you need them I'll put them on. As SF says there's only the pipe work to the rear unit, the ducting under the r/liner & cutting the five holes in the roof liner for the vents & switch (hope all the wiring is there on the electrical side of things). If you need any pics please let me know & I'll help if poss, all the best.

thanks a lot!

 

[lynall]

Naive question. Why is this an option? Shouldn't the AC in a car be suitable to cool the vehicle, not just blow a bit of cold air on the front seats?

Lot of volume in a disco, and 7 bodies can put out some heat.
I really like it for the dog.
Once you get it cold its okay, but cold start then a couple of miles of town traffic soon shows up the systems shortcomingd.

 

[Intestinalworm]

Bet you 50p that no one in the UK will have done it.

See no reason to remove the dashboard.

With recent temps in the UK maybe some will start looking at it! Does RAVE show you how the pipes run? I have rear aircon (factory-fitted) - I think most in Australia would have on a Disco 2 SE and of course HSE.

 

[Intestinalworm]

not sure how to answer. in the case of the d2 in the climate where I live, the standard front ac vents are decent in spring but in summer kids complain from the rear seats, and i cannot disagree with them. i would complain as well. in reality, in full summer it is barely good enough for the front seats . the optional rear ac system provides an extra blower and evaporator exclusive for the rear seats and even for the boot seats, which I dont need and plan on blanking off to get more air on the second row of seats

Have outlets - front seats, back seats and two seats in the "boot". Can assure you it's great - no problems, have driven in 35+ deg cel fairly regularly with no issues, and once in 43 deg cel heat with 5 passengers.

 

[mad85]

With recent temps in the UK maybe some will start looking at it! Does RAVE show you how the pipes run? I have rear aircon (factory-fitted) - I think most in Australia would have on a Disco 2 SE and of course HSE.

It gives you an idea of how they should run but not very detailed. Do have a buddy with factory fitted rear ac so i should be able to take a quick look at the setup, hopefully without needing to dismantling anything

 

[mad85]

I must admit the rear air con in mine has been great in the current temperatures keeps the dog lovely & cool. I have a few pics some where of the ducting & the ac unit behind the l/h rear boot liner when I was having the roof liner re-covered if you need them I'll put them on. As SF says there's only the pipe work to the rear unit, the ducting under the r/liner & cutting the five holes in the roof liner for the vents & switch (hope all the wiring is there on the electrical side of things). If you need any pics please let me know & I'll help if poss, all the best.

If you have any photos of how the ducting and the evaporator/blower unit are fitted, maybe photos of the bracket and from where the pipes are passing. Im guessing they come up from around the chassis up to a hole through the body. Also a photo of the electrical connection would help so i can understand what is missing from mine

 

[Intestinalworm]

It gives you an idea of how they should run but not very detailed. Do have a buddy with factory fitted rear ac so i should be able to take a quick look at the setup, hopefully without needing to dismantling anything

Yes, nothing better than direct comparison (unless it's a DIY botch job)! There's a bit on pp.3.7 to 3.10 of the Haynes manual - might help a bit, although not directly related to installing rear A/C.

 

[Intestinalworm]

On long runs yes, but in Malta they are never long runs. in stop/start ac is rubbish, especially if it has been sitting baking in the sun. I can compare it to any other car i have owned and this one def has the worst ac performance

The tinted windows help - do you have tinted windows? Also a white vehicle helps - bloke I know well here in Australia swears he'll never buy a black car again - said it was a hothouse and he couldn't wait to sell it!

 

[mad85]

The tinted windows help - do you have tinted windows? Also a white vehicle helps - bloke I know well here in Australia swears he'll never buy a black car again - said it was a hothouse and he couldn't wait to sell it!

in fact mine is black but i wont sell it. too much time, money and blood went into building it and honestly the only thing that i dont like atm is the air conditioning

 

[lynall]

Have outlets - front seats, back seats and two seats in the "boot". Can assure you it's great - no problems, have driven in 35+ deg cel fairly regularly with no issues, and once in 43 deg cel heat with 5 passengers.

Yes but he is in Malta, where there are no long runs to get decent air flow over the evaporator so he is suffering.