Cabin Air Filters (1999 Land Cruiser, 260k mi)

[BroyotaLandDuder]

Hi all,

I took my newly purchased '99 LC out on the trail this weekend and had a blast. Today I wanted to check on the cabin air filter- especially because I seem to have a pretty heavy water leak. I have read that this is likely from air conditioner condensation and can be worsened by a clogged cabin air filter (not sure if that's true, maybe separate matter.)

Anywho, I expected to find the x2 vertically stacked air filters because my car has the little hatch (pictured atop the vacuum). I found nothing! For a second I thought the metal fins on the left were the air filter pressed over to the left. It's pretty dirty and the fins are very easily bent.

A few questions:
1. Would putting in an air filter be beneficial in anyway and could it help with AC condensation drip under the car? I'm worried about frame rust if it's going to be dripping water consistently.
2. Is the cabin filter housing I have with the little hatch/door a mod?
3. Any pointers for cleaning out the junk in there before installing an air filter? My hand vac isn't quite narrow enough to reach all the nooks and crannies.

Thank you in advance! This is my first time posting so let me know if I can do anything better.

 

[GTV]

A few questions:
1. Would putting in an air filter be beneficial in anyway and could it help with AC condensation drip under the car? I'm worried about frame rust if it's going to be dripping water consistently.
2. Is the cabin filter housing I have with the little hatch/door a mod?
3. Any pointers for cleaning out the junk in there before installing an air filter? My hand vac isn't quite narrow enough to reach all the nooks and crannies.

1. Yes, filtered air is nice. And no, they aren't related in that way. You can extend/route the a/c drain to prevent it from rusting out the sway bar mount.
2. In N.A. usually LC's did not have filters and LX's did. You just need the door and a pair of filters. Is it a mod? Sure.
3. Removing the fan will give you access and a lot more to clean. This topic (and most others) is covered in detail, hit the search bar up there for details.

 

[BroyotaLandDuder]

1. Yes, filtered air is nice. And no, they aren't related in that way. You can extend/route the a/c drain to prevent it from rusting out the sway bar mount.
2. In N.A. usually LC's did not have filters and LX's did. You just need the door and a pair of filters. Is it a mod? Sure.
3. Removing the fan will give you access and a lot more to clean. This topic (and most others) is covered in detail, hit the search bar up there for details.

Thanks for the quick response! -- Regarding #3 - Assuming I get the area around the metal fins clean, I can just insert the air filters and be good to go, right?

 

[GTV]

Thanks for the quick response! -- Regarding #3 - Assuming I get the area around the metal fins clean, I can just insert the air filters and be good to go, right?

And the door.