Cabin air filteration

[locknloadfzj80]

New to the forum and figured I would share an easy thing I whipped up. Also curious if anyone else has tried to do cabin air filtering and if maybe there is a better way of doing it. I tried searching and haven't found anything so figured I would post it up.

A little background. A couple weeks ago I was out on Yellow Cat Flats with some friends and after about 15 or so minutes I kicked the fan on and was blinded by the amount of dust that came pouring out of the vents. After some searching I found a few threads that mentioned the lack of filteration but couldn't find anything as to rigging something up to help or solve the problem. Not to mention the annoyance of having to clean the interior and all of its contents of the layers of dust that build up.

I wanted to use a small box intake filter on the intake part in the first pic but that proved to be a pain in the butt to get to. If anyone has the measurements for the bugger that would be great. I would still prefer to put a filter directly on the intake.

After trying to measure and fit some filters unsuccessfully I decided on going with plan b and throw some filter media on the vent covers. I went with a 16x25 Filtrete Advance Allergen house filter for 16 bucks. I figured that would give plenty of room for errors and if it works I would have a ton to change the media out. I did a water test on is since it is in an area that it will get wet. The water actually beads up and off the media. I left it submerged for about an hour and it didn't soak through so I think it will hold up pretty good.

All and all I am surprised at how well it worked. I went out on the Pony express trail and had three vehicles in front of me kicking up dust. Much more then on Yellow Cat mentioned earlier. I specifically had my fresh air and fan on for the trip out and left it off and would turn it on every 25-30 min to see if dust accumulation would be a problem. To my amusement I didn't even have to clean the interior of the vehicle like usual because no noticeable dust go in from the trip.

Pix are attached and hopefully it can be a 20 min mod to help other members from having to clean the dust from the interior and everything inside the cab during and after every trip on the trail.

 

[JCruse]

I was thinking of doing the same but was unsure of what type of filter material to try. Thanks for the tip!

 

[1973Guppie]

that's a great idea, have to add this to my evergrowing list....

question: is that the only place where our 80's have an air intake?

 

[BlackLS1]

thats something i got to do. thanks

 

[locknloadfzj80]

I think it is the only place. At least for drawing fresh air. Not sure about cycling cabin air but even then it would get pretty dusty and since I put them in I haven't needed to do the usual wipe down on the cluster and crap in the vehicle that collects dust (Jerry cans, cluster, ect). I was curious of that as well when I had it apart so I plugged the intake part in the cowl with some shop rag tee shirts. It pretty much stopped airflow.

 

[sledge916]

this is a great idea, I am going to do this

Sethro

 

[John E Davies]

I have always wondered why Toyota and Lexus left off a cabin air filter in these trucks..... That looks like a simple, though primitive, fix. You would need to remove the filter media before winter since ice would most likely form there and block the airflow. Gino's Garage sells a similar setup for Gen 2 and 3 Ram trucks.

http://www.genosgarage.com/CAB-FRESH-INTERIOR-AIR-FILTER-KIT-03-09/productinfo/CFF-DG-19003K/#.UokBCI1GRWY

Can you do a test and dampen the filters after a really dusty drive, and see if the dust turns to mud and blocks the airflow?

I have always used Reciirculate in dusty conditions, but a proper plated allergen filter located out of the weather would be a better long term solution.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[NLXTACY]

Most of the Heppa filters I've found are washable so I would not be concerned about the filter media itself. Ice could be an issue. Hmm, I think a trip to Lowes is needed.

 

[1973Guppie]

I have always wondered why Toyota and Lexus left off a cabin air filter in these trucks..... That looks like a simple, though primitive, fix. You would need to remove the filter media before winter since ice would most likely form there and block the airflow. Gino's Garage sells a similar setup for Gen 2 and 3 Ram trucks.

http://www.genosgarage.com/CAB-FRESH-INTERIOR-AIR-FILTER-KIT-03-09/productinfo/CFF-DG-19003K/#.UokBCI1GRWY

Can you do a test and dampen the filters after a really dusty drive, and see if the dust turns to mud and blocks the airflow?

I have always used Reciirculate in dusty conditions, but a proper plated allergen filter located out of the weather would be a better long term solution.

John Davies
Spokane WA USA

you bring up a good point and concern about the dust turning to mud, but I would think these vents have some type of drainage system anyhow? since they must get water in them with the way they sit vertically? I don't know the internal workings of the air system.

 

[John E Davies]

you bring up a good point and concern about the dust turning to mud, but I would think these vents have some type of drainage system anyhow? since they must get water in them with the way they sit vertically? I don't know the internal workings of the air system.

I was talking about the element itself, not the truck's air intake design. If you have a flat element loaded with dust that gets damp, the dust will turn to a flat layer of mud, blocking the airflow. I think.... The OP mentioned that water beaded up and did not run through, so any wet dirt will stay on top and harden.

There is insufficient area in a flat panel vs a pleated one. What these trucks REALLY need is something like this sitting on top of the main intake "horn" (shown in the top pic of this thread).

OR a 90 degree metal adapter that would bolt on top of that horn, projecting toward the center of the truck, that transitions to a large round opening, to accept a standard clamp-on conical air filter. That would make it more accessible for filter servicing. I sent EMS Powered an email about this - I bet they would sell a bunch, if access to that horn isn't too horrible.... I've never actually looked. Can you get to it without extensive body work, like removing the fender?

John Davies

 

[LongDuck]

That's a great mod, Sir - thanks for posting it!

 

[locknloadfzj80]

The pleated filter is exactly what I would like to do. It's more out of the elements so wouldn't have to worry about it as much. Plus like you mentioned, just by design it would be far more effective. I'm only using the more ghetto method I posted to hold me over until I can find an 80 at a junk yard to hack the cowl and get some measurements to put one in. Or if someone posts or sells the correct size filter for the horn piece.

Access is a bit of a pain. I don't think an adaptor would work because there just isn't enough room to get in there. You could cut the cowl to get to it... But then you're cutting the cowl to get to it lol. Now a box filter like you posted would work fine. When I tried a small car intake filter I just routed it through the large opening, under the wiper rods, and over the horn piece. If it wasn't too big them it would just drop right in. Getting it out would require a bit more finesse. I could barely reach the horn piece to touch with my finger tips. Though flathead and some pliers to gently pop it out to get it the rest of the way out by hand would work. Or if a small kid is available. Small arms would make short work of it. Keep me / us posted on EMS.

As to build up / mud forming. So far with the two weekend trips I've done and using it as my DD there hasn't been any. It was raining pretty good the last couple days and yesterday's trip saw a good mix of mud trails and dusty dry trails. Still haven't had to clean up the interior from dust build up so has been a good hold over till the aforementioned filtration can be setup.

Going to pull them in two weeks to check the wear and get an idea of the life for the media.

 

[1973Guppie]

pls post up your long term findings on this mod, thx, would like to see how it holds up / filters after a few weeks.....

 

[donutfj80]

You still have 2 big holes behind the fenders, its where water will drain out. I'll take a picture, my fenders are off.

 

[Haring Bagsik]

How do you take off that outer cover on the 3rd picture to get access to the filters?

 

[locknloadfzj80]

You still have 2 big holes behind the fenders, its where water will drain out. I'll take a picture, my fenders are off.

The drain holes were a concern but I didn't notice any air or dust coming through because of them. It's definitely not 100% but my concern isn't an NBC attack just keeping dust out. I don't think (especially judging by how it has been working) that they are exposed enough to let dust in.

How do you take off that outer cover on the 3rd picture to get access to the filters?

It's really easy. Just some screws along the front where the cover piece and firewall meet. The middle ones I used a screw bit and a cresent wrench because the hood causes clearance issues. The other half just slides under the windshield. Oh wipers obviously have to be removed.

 

[Twinair]

How about cutting a car washing sponge to fit snuggly. If it gets stopped up with dirt, remove and rinse. Ice would still be an issue but water would drip right through. If you wanted to you could cut pleats in it for more surface area of filtration.

 

[beachcomberspi]

Excellent idea!

 

[Twinair]

Excellent idea!

great. I get one great idea a year and I used it up here. My wife is gonna be mad

 

[jcardona1]

How about cutting a car washing sponge to fit snuggly. If it gets stopped up with dirt, remove and rinse. Ice would still be an issue but water would drip right through. If you wanted to you could cut pleats in it for more surface area of filtration.

Would something like that trap dust particles though? Seems like you need a fine cloth material to catch dust vs a porous sponge...