Center console fridge(HDJ) in USA 80 series

[danny93kor]

Hello I’ve been searching online for some information on how to install a center console fridge in my 80. I spoke with a Land Cruiser specialist shop and they told me the best way to hook it up is to have hydraulic hoses made, I’m just not sure how to plug everything up once and if have hoses made.
My main question is do the hoses connect straight up to the stock AC or is there a distributor I need?
Are there Any other parts needed other than hoses?

 

[aktundra]

I have not completely installed mine. The mounting structure for the NA OEM console needs to be cut out (there is no going back once you start !!!) there is a empty plug under the center console, that matches the plug on the AC console, and seems to provide power.

As of yet, I have not connected mine to the AC system, I’m just using it as a deep console. Some of the material I have seen, there is basically a” T” put into the AC lines near the fire wall, and the lines from the console is connected to the system. But as I said, I have not connected mine yet.

 

[Gerry McGerry]

The mounting structure for the NA OEM console needs to be cut out (there is no going back once you start !!!) there is a empty plug under the center console, that matches the plug on the AC console, and seems to provide power.

Pretty sure I still have a mounting bracket I don't need, happy to sell. Will post pics in here for reference for future searches. Owned the car for a good year trying to figure out what it was for, wasn't until I removed the fridge from another 80 I recognised it.

Some of the material I have seen, there is basically a” T” put into the AC lines near the fire wall, and the lines from the console is connected to the system.

In factory form there's a magnetic valve (I think that's what it's called, I will check). Fridge circuit is normally open, so it can run without cabin AC on. For a retrofit install it would be easiest to just have a tee and custom lines made up. Cabin AC will need to be on.

 

[danny93kor]

I have not completely installed mine. The mounting structure for the NA OEM console needs to be cut out (there is no going back once you start !!!) there is a empty plug under the center console, that matches the plug on the AC console, and seems to provide power.

As of yet, I have not connected mine to the AC system, I’m just using it as a deep console. Some of the material I have seen, there is basically a” T” put into the AC lines near the fire wall, and the lines from the console is connected to the system. But as I said, I have not connected mine yet.

Yeah that were I’m at now. I spoke with someone from Land Cruiser heaven in Miami, they said the best way for someone in the US to install the fridge is to have hydraulic hoses made to fit. Problem is when I connected a local company that make custom hydraulic line they need to know what kind of fittings are need to connect everything.

I don’t know where to look to find what kind of connecting fittings I need to hook up to the fridge, I’m assuming that the “T” connection would be easy to figure out once made by a shop, I’m just stuck on what connects to the fridge.

 

[danny93kor]

Pretty sure I still have a mounting bracket I don't need, happy to sell. Will post pics in here for reference for future searches. Owned the car for a good year trying to figure out what it was for, wasn't until I removed the fridge from another 80 I recognised it.


In factory form there's a magnetic valve (I think that's what it's called, I will check). Fridge circuit is normally open, so it can run without cabin AC on. For a retrofit install it would be easiest to just have a tee and custom lines made up. Cabin AC will need to be on.

Can you pm me about the mounting bracket please?

 

[nickolai]

I have the fridge in my HDJ81. It works great, but i don't think all the effort is worth it.

Here's just one thread about how much of a mission it is JDM console refrigerator retrofit? - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/jdm-console-refrigerator-retrofit.227809/

just get this and move on with life. Delta Vehicle Systems - Modular Center Console System - Dometic CDF11 BASE - https://www.deltavs.com/all-products/modular-center-console-system-dometic-cdf11-base

 

[Gerry McGerry]

Fridge bracket. Wouldn't be impossible to fab something up.

 

[logicbyondreaso]

I’m planning to install a fridge into my 80 which already has rear AC so the labor is cut down tremendously.
You will need to modify plumbing in the engine bay which includes adding a solenoid.
I have some of the piping you may need to reduce labor even more for you. Message me.