JDM console refrigerator retrofit?

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FourBy4Toy

FourBy4Toy

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 29, 2007
Threads
28
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240
Location
Fort Lupton, CO
Hello. and thanks in advance,.....

I have a US spec 1994 Landcruiser 80, I am looking at buying a used JDM center console fridge, does anybody know what all I would need to make this work in a US LC? wiring?, hoses?, relays? any circuit boards hidden anywhere that I would need to make this work in my rig? I REALLY dont need one, I just REALLY WANT one! LOL COOL FACTOR!
 
Ruadhrigh said:
some searching may persuade you from this fascination.

money would be better spent on an Engel, ARB or Norcold unit.
Click to expand...

Well I have a portable Norcold, just thought it would be a great place to keep a beverage or 2 cold right at hand while wheeling, plus make all my friends want one too HAHA
 
Last edited:
FourBy4Toy said:
Well I have a portable Norcold, just thought it would be a great place to keep a beverage or 2 cold right at hand while wheeling, plus make all my friends want one too HAHA
Click to expand...

For the cost of the JDM console fridge you could buy all 3 (Engle, ARB, and Norcold) and still have money left over for a lifetime supply of #6 to keep in the fridge.

I believe Mot participated in a thread to price out all the pieces. Brace yourself. (https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/90994-rear-c-80-a.html)


This is a portion of the needed bits
attachment.php

attachment.php


-B-
 
Last edited:
FourBy4Toy said:
Hello. and thanks in advance,.....

I have a US spec 1994 Landcruiser 80, I am looking at buying a used JDM center console fridge, does anybody know what all I would need to make this work in a US LC? wiring?, hoses?, relays? any circuit boards hidden anywhere that I would need to make this work in my rig? I REALLY dont need one, I just REALLY WANT one! LOL COOL FACTOR!
Click to expand...

Do a search.... the biggest issue will be routing the additional A/C lines you will need to cool the console. It's a big enough headache that many beofe you have begun and quit. Maybe someone actually did it... maybe you'll be the first. Not sure if the "cool" factor will ought-weigh the "pain in the butt" factor, but YMMV.
 
Well I have a fridge located(with hoses) for $300USD, but I can see that this could be a pretty in depth swap...hmmmmm
 
I havent done this yet, but I have all the parts to start. For mine I have the front magnetic valve (which opens with the main A/C so I'll trigger that with the compressor magnetic switch), firewall A/C pipe and the pipe that goes under the floor to the fridge and rear A/C unit. I need to cap off the section that goes out to the rear A/C, but thats no biggie - I might have to make up the caps but:hhmm:. The fridge itself seems to be electrically self contained - there are only 3 wires into it, positive, negitive and one that goes to the main A/C amplifier (havent worked out what that one does exactly). I've hooked power up to it with it out of the car and the fan all works so Im thinking with the main A/C on it'll have refrigerant flow so it should work. If anyone knows the function of that wire I'll be only to happy to know:D. You'll need to cut a couple of holes in the floor for the A/C pipes into the fridge and for the drain. Here is a write up I've been doing to document the install. http://www.offroad80s.com/sahara-fridge-install-t1295.html I havent yet made a start on the install as I've been way to busy with work lately, but should be making a start soon
 
Shane,
Most of the pictures you posted at that link are not showing up. It would be nice if you would post here on everything you have for pics and wiring diagrams.

Check with Mot and see if he can post the EWD pages from a JDM with the console fridge option in this thread.

-B-
 
Beowulf said:
Shane,
Most of the pictures you posted at that link are not showing up. It would be nice if you would post here on everything you have for pics and wiring diagrams.

Check with Mot and see if he can post the EWD pages from a JDM with the console fridge option in this thread.

-B-
Click to expand...

You have to be logged onto that forum to see pics. I've got all the factory wiring diagrams
 
Let me see if this works...

This is a copy from the JDM EWD with the center console business shown on the right.

I'm no electrician/mechanic/engineer so it's all Greek to me.:hillbilly:

I'll try to post the rest of the rear a/c EWD and EPC and see if any fool would be taking on such a big/reckless project.;)


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3-532.jpg
 
shanegtr said:
I havent done this yet, but I have all the parts to start. For mine I have the front magnetic valve (which opens with the main A/C so I'll trigger that with the compressor magnetic switch), firewall A/C pipe and the pipe that goes under the floor to the fridge and rear A/C unit. I need to cap off the section that goes out to the rear A/C, but thats no biggie - I might have to make up the caps but:hhmm:. The fridge itself seems to be electrically self contained - there are only 3 wires into it, positive, negitive and one that goes to the main A/C amplifier (havent worked out what that one does exactly). I've hooked power up to it with it out of the car and the fan all works so Im thinking with the main A/C on it'll have refrigerant flow so it should work. If anyone knows the function of that wire I'll be only to happy to know:D. You'll need to cut a couple of holes in the floor for the A/C pipes into the fridge and for the drain. Here is a write up I've been doing to document the install. Offroad 80's :: View topic - Sahara Fridge install I havent yet made a start on the install as I've been way to busy with work lately, but should be making a start soon
Click to expand...

Gosh I really would like to do this mod, let me know how yours goes, I am just scared that there is a part I am going to miss to do the swap, and dont want to have to travel to a Japan salvage yard on a vacation!
 
I've got a few drawings to share, much the same as Mot has posted, exept in english:pThe wiring diagram I've highlighted the wire that Im not 100% sure on its function. If any one has a console fridge installed and would like to do a trail run to see if everything functions ok with that wire disconnected I would appreciate it. As it stands at the moment when I install mine it wont be hooked up to anything. Second pic is just basic layout of the A/C piping showing the magnetic valve locations. As you can see the fridge does not have its own valve, so it should work when the A/C compressor is running.
wiring.webp
mag valve.webp
 
shanegtr said:
I've got a few drawings to share, much the same as Mot has posted, exept in english:pThe wiring diagram I've highlighted the wire that Im not 100% sure on its function. If any one has a console fridge installed and would like to do a trail run to see if everything functions ok with that wire disconnected I would appreciate it. As it stands at the moment when I install mine it wont be hooked up to anything. Second pic is just basic layout of the A/C piping showing the magnetic valve locations. As you can see the fridge does not have its own valve, so it should work when the A/C compressor is running.
Click to expand...

Great info Shane!, thanks for the chart in english too!, well I paid for mine, it comes with all the piping, I hope this is not over my head!
 
Beowulf said:
For the cost of the JDM console fridge you could buy all 3 (Engle, ARB, and Norcold) and still have money left over for a lifetime supply of #6 to keep in the fridge.

I believe Mot participated in a thread to price out all the pieces. Brace yourself. (https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/90994-rear-c-80-a.html)


This is a portion of the needed bits
attachment.php

attachment.php


-B-
Click to expand...

I just picked up a used one for cheap. This will help a lot with the install:cheers:
 
to be honest .. it does not worth .. is not that big ( big enough I must admit ) and never that cold
 
maybe you being in canada and him in panama is makes a difference:D
 
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