AC for MM550 (and Jeeps in general)

bigman · 24th May 2009, 13:09

I was looking to fit AC in my MM550 and was looking at the options available.

I got my cousin to ask a local mechanic and he said the condenser is usually fitted by the front bumper so it is visible and that it hangs down a bit so the front inclination angle is reduced. I would rather conceal behind the grill. The mechanic said if it is fitted in the grill area the jeep will overheat. Has anyone had AC fitted who can share a few pictures of the fitting and what they did to avoid overheating issues.

I found a thread on AC for Gypsy but not one for jeeps hence starting this thread.

Thanks.

harjeev · 24th May 2009, 20:32

Hey Satnam,
I had the same through looming at the back of my mind. But I was planning this mod for next year, you see I crossed my budget of 4L long back, so these thing will have to wait.

But I will definitely do it next year and maybe just for the front compartment only. This way I think the kaircon will be much more effective. GTO has done it in his CLASSIC, maybe you should have a look at his thread.
I have seen/heard people mount the condenser between the chassis somewhere around and above the rear differential. I might be wrong but I think ankit, goslow on teambhp has done it this way on his gypsy.

4x4addict · 24th May 2009, 21:43

I have the condensor in front of my grill but I have the extra cooling fan in front of the condensor so no over heating issues.

bigman · 24th May 2009, 22:12

Thanks for your replies.

4x4addict,

Please can you post a few pictures the condenser, compressor and extra cooling fan. Also can you give an indication of the parts you used and approximate cost. Did you install a larger radiator as well ?

Harjeev,

Yes I only want the front done as well. I phoned my cousin the other day to ask if he had been starting the engine. He said he starts the engine but it is too hot to drive. Can't blame him really, I remember in the early 90's when we used to drive a M800 around in June/July with no AC. It used to be like a sauna especially with those vinyl type seat covers. So I asked him to find out how much it would cost to fit and how they would fit. The guy said R15,000 inluding parts and fitting. I think he said they used parts from Ambassador or Cielo. the only thing that put me off was he said they fit the condenser to the front bumper (just behind it).

DesertKing · 24th May 2009, 22:23

Why do no you go for a brand new unit of Bolero which will heardly cost you somewhere between 22K to 24K. 15K for a used one is too much. If he is offering you within 10K with the set up and one year gurantee only than you should opt it.

bigman · 24th May 2009, 22:28

DesertKing,

Have you got a Bolero unit fitted in yours ?

Where will I get a new Bolero unit from ? When we were getting the MM550 restored my dad visited the local Mahindra dealer to order some bits and pieces. The guy said they could get no spares for XD3P engine. Will they be able to order all of a Bolero AC unit ? So that would be 24K for the condenser, compressor and blower unit ?

The 15K includes a 1 year guarantee for what it is worth.

harjeev · 25th May 2009, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertKing

Why do no you go for a brand new unit of Bolero which will heardly cost you somewhere between 22K to 24K. 15K for a used one is too much. If he is offering you within 10K with the set up and one year gurantee only than you should opt it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

DesertKing,

Have you got a Bolero unit fitted in yours ?

Where will I get a new Bolero unit from ? When we were getting the MM550 restored my dad visited the local Mahindra dealer to order some bits and pieces. The guy said they could get no spares for XD3P engine. Will they be able to order all of a Bolero AC unit ? So that would be 24K for the condenser, compressor and blower unit ?

The 15K includes a 1 year guarantee for what it is worth.

I had asked my mechanic for fitting an Ac in my 550 and he told me that someone in Mayapuri does that for around 10k and maybe gives a year warranty.
Satnam if you are interested I can find out more details whenever I visit the place next.

DesertKing · 25th May 2009, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigman

DesertKing,

Have you got a Bolero unit fitted in yours ?

Hi Bigman, infect I buy a set of deshboard and the ac from a Armada grand (XD3P engine). Since I shorten the front grill of my Jeep, it was not possible to fit the condenser of Armada Grand.

Now I am searching for a right condenser which can be accomodated in the grill, perhaps the Ambessder condenser will work.

bigman · 25th May 2009, 13:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by harjeev

I had asked my mechanic for fitting an Ac in my 550 and he told me that someone in Mayapuri does that for around 10k and maybe gives a year warranty.
Satnam if you are interested I can find out more details whenever I visit the place next.

Yes please, next time you are there please ask how he fits and hides it etc.

Desertking,

Which condenser did you fit then ? and where ?

Terrainsnooper · 25th May 2009, 13:35

This should be interesting, I will keep a close watch on this. I have been doing some research on this too and I guess the pain points are -

1.> Which compressor(make/capacity) to use?
2.> Which condenser to use?
3.> Which blower to use? (Std vs HVAC)
4.> Be ethical and use the new R-134a refrigerant and incur additional costs? (in terms of condenser/evaporator size)?
5.> Placement of the condenser? (front of radiator/between chassis/etc)
6.> Cooling of the condenser? (Dedicated electric fan or common engine fan or additional electric fan)
7.> Additional cooling on engine on idle? (bigger radiator or electric fan in front of radiator)
8.> Increasing engine idle speed to support AC during stop-and-go traffic?
9.> Professional installation to ensure no gas leaks from the piping.
10.> Good insulation for driver or entire cabin space.
11.> Effects on power/torque/pick-up when AC is running if final drive ratio is 4.27 (or even 4.88 for that matter)

Other than the above points, I'm hoping that its fairly easy to place the other components (blower/evaporator/valves/ relays etc)

I guess if anyone can address these questions(backed by a year + of reliable usage), we can have a standard solution to the issue for everyone's benefit. Photos will be greatly appreciated.

jyobeb · 25th May 2009, 13:37

Here is how mine is fitted.

bigman · 25th May 2009, 14:09

Jyobeb,

Thanks for those pictures, please can you provide more information in line with what Terrainsnooper has posted. Also have you used a stock radiator with addition of an electric fan for cooling or put in a larger radiator ?

DesertKing · 25th May 2009, 14:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by jyobeb

Here is how mine is fitted.

Jyobeb, It seems that AC fitting work is going on.

In the first picture, we can see the welding spot on the front grill, I guess the small Patti is welded to bolt down the electrical fan.

In the second picture, I also noticed that the C section is cut in half round (just around the steering rod). This seems to be a modification to fit the power steering. Correct me if I am wrong.

IronWolf · 25th May 2009, 19:18

Get 4x4Addict to pitch in this thread.

507 Sandem compressor with the Unicla / Superking blower set up is what I hear is best for the MM 540.

nitrous · 25th May 2009, 20:10

Without doubt, you'll need an upsized radiator.
One core should be good.
Check thermostat and watch the gauges while driving.
PS: I think you know this already.

24th May 2009, 13:09	#1
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	AC for MM550 (and Jeeps in general) I was looking to fit AC in my MM550 and was looking at the options available. I got my cousin to ask a local mechanic and he said the condenser is usually fitted by the front bumper so it is visible and that it hangs down a bit so the front inclination angle is reduced. I would rather conceal behind the grill. The mechanic said if it is fitted in the grill area the jeep will overheat. Has anyone had AC fitted who can share a few pictures of the fitting and what they did to avoid overheating issues. I found a thread on AC for Gypsy but not one for jeeps hence starting this thread. Thanks.
	() Thanks

24th May 2009, 20:32	#2
harjeev Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: New Delhi Posts: 1,899 Thanked: 292 Times View My Garage	Hey Satnam, I had the same through looming at the back of my mind. But I was planning this mod for next year, you see I crossed my budget of 4L long back, so these thing will have to wait. But I will definitely do it next year and maybe just for the front compartment only. This way I think the kaircon will be much more effective. GTO has done it in his CLASSIC, maybe you should have a look at his thread. I have seen/heard people mount the condenser between the chassis somewhere around and above the rear differential. I might be wrong but I think ankit, goslow on teambhp has done it this way on his gypsy.
	() Thanks

24th May 2009, 21:43	#3
4x4addict Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 4,483 Thanked: 4,529 Times View My Garage Infractions: 0/1 (5)	I have the condensor in front of my grill but I have the extra cooling fan in front of the condensor so no over heating issues.
	() Thanks

24th May 2009, 22:12	#4
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	Thanks for your replies. 4x4addict, Please can you post a few pictures the condenser, compressor and extra cooling fan. Also can you give an indication of the parts you used and approximate cost. Did you install a larger radiator as well ? Harjeev, Yes I only want the front done as well. I phoned my cousin the other day to ask if he had been starting the engine. He said he starts the engine but it is too hot to drive. Can't blame him really, I remember in the early 90's when we used to drive a M800 around in June/July with no AC. It used to be like a sauna especially with those vinyl type seat covers. So I asked him to find out how much it would cost to fit and how they would fit. The guy said R15,000 inluding parts and fitting. I think he said they used parts from Ambassador or Cielo. the only thing that put me off was he said they fit the condenser to the front bumper (just behind it).
	() Thanks

24th May 2009, 22:23	#5
DesertKing BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jodhpur, Rajasthan Posts: 463 Thanked: 24 Times View My Garage	Why do no you go for a brand new unit of Bolero which will heardly cost you somewhere between 22K to 24K. 15K for a used one is too much. If he is offering you within 10K with the set up and one year gurantee only than you should opt it.
	() Thanks

24th May 2009, 22:28	#6
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	DesertKing, Have you got a Bolero unit fitted in yours ? Where will I get a new Bolero unit from ? When we were getting the MM550 restored my dad visited the local Mahindra dealer to order some bits and pieces. The guy said they could get no spares for XD3P engine. Will they be able to order all of a Bolero AC unit ? So that would be 24K for the condenser, compressor and blower unit ? The 15K includes a 1 year guarantee for what it is worth.
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 13:35	#10
Terrainsnooper BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 34 Thanked: 2 Times	This should be interesting, I will keep a close watch on this. I have been doing some research on this too and I guess the pain points are - 1.> Which compressor(make/capacity) to use? 2.> Which condenser to use? 3.> Which blower to use? (Std vs HVAC) 4.> Be ethical and use the new R-134a refrigerant and incur additional costs? (in terms of condenser/evaporator size)? 5.> Placement of the condenser? (front of radiator/between chassis/etc) 6.> Cooling of the condenser? (Dedicated electric fan or common engine fan or additional electric fan) 7.> Additional cooling on engine on idle? (bigger radiator or electric fan in front of radiator) 8.> Increasing engine idle speed to support AC during stop-and-go traffic? 9.> Professional installation to ensure no gas leaks from the piping. 10.> Good insulation for driver or entire cabin space. 11.> Effects on power/torque/pick-up when AC is running if final drive ratio is 4.27 (or even 4.88 for that matter) Other than the above points, I'm hoping that its fairly easy to place the other components (blower/evaporator/valves/ relays etc) I guess if anyone can address these questions(backed by a year + of reliable usage), we can have a standard solution to the issue for everyone's benefit. Photos will be greatly appreciated.
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 13:37	#11
jyobeb Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Madurai Posts: 1,010 Thanked: 704 Times	Here is how mine is fitted. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 14:09	#12
bigman Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: NA Posts: 1,224 Thanked: 93 Times	Jyobeb, Thanks for those pictures, please can you provide more information in line with what Terrainsnooper has posted. Also have you used a stock radiator with addition of an electric fan for cooling or put in a larger radiator ?
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 19:18	#14
IronWolf Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Benga-loo-ru Posts: 1,569 Thanked: 45 Times View My Garage	Get 4x4Addict to pitch in this thread. 507 Sandem compressor with the Unicla / Superking blower set up is what I hear is best for the MM 540.
	() Thanks

25th May 2009, 20:10	#15
nitrous Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2004 Location: UAE/Lon/Madras Posts: 6,965 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	Without doubt, you'll need an upsized radiator. One core should be good. Check thermostat and watch the gauges while driving. PS: I think you know this already.
	() Thanks