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Old 26th March 2011, 11:04   #1
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PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Finally, the plunge and the Rear Aircon fitment for my Innova happened at Anisbhai's Unicool car a/c garage in Ghatkopar. The personal and technical experience is quite something to recount and I am going to post all of it here. Hope this will be useful to the people searching for complete knowledge on proper fitments and a place to get it fitted in the car.

I have been surveying quite a few aircon retro-fitters and a few fitments, Sanden, Formula1. I had zeroed in on Sanden after taking stock of fitments of both and how they look, not in person but atleast from pictures and their packaged fitments.

But the crux was to find one good retro-fitter and that was holding me from going ahead.

I heard from many retro-fitters statements like, sir you have a sit here and we will do the fitting in less than 4-5 hours in front of you. I was quite taken aback after seeing their attitude towards such a critical work that I imagined would be quite a thing to do. So my search went on to find one from garage from Fort to Thane, West and East but primarily looking for some good workshop nearby Powai, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar. There are indeed many of them who would claim to do the fitting but none when asked to show a sample and take the pains to call back and tell you that the retro-fitted vehicle can be checked for you to see atleast in pictures.

So, in middle years, I had virtually given up on the idea of fitting it at all. But seeing the rising heat and the family needing it more now, I decided once again to start the hunt.

Finally, I met Anisbhai, Unicool Car Aircon at Ghatkopar Industrial Estate behind R-Mall. And it turned out to be quite a find. Not only fitment-wise but the entire atmosphere with a personal touch and the sheer team-work there and attention to detail and attitude to giving due time to do the work of this nature is just beyond words to bowl you over. Glitches are part of the game but the way they are overcome and solution achieved without tension and coolness is important.

Enough talking now. I will start posting pics with the descriptions so everybody gets understanding of what it involves and how it needs to be done and how it finally looks. It is going to take time to make pics worth uploading here and put the descriptions alongwith, so bear with me.

The entire process took from morning 10:15AM till 9:00PM with a 1hr lunch break by the team of about 5-8 and that too at my request that I would not be able to spend another day due to usage needs after that day.

First, here are a few snapshots to give an understanding of the overall outlook of the fitting before I begin on the process.

This view of complete aircon from top of 2nd Row.
PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105068180pc.jpg

This view of Right/Passenger-side B-Pillar Corner Side molding from top of 2nd Row.
PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105068380pc.jpg

This view of Left/Driver-side B-Pillar Corner Side molding from top of 2nd Row.
PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105068480pc.jpg

The aircon is Sanden, in beige color, widely available in market and IMO is the most suitable for fitments unlike Formula1 or other brands. I had seen Formula1 fittings in couple of cars and it had come to such a state that the owners were ready shell out additional money to replace it with this one by Sanden.

The Corner Side moldings are the only things that change as per the car, Tavera, Sumo, Eeco etc. However, I and anishbhai also wished the the mold manufacturers take some time out to see how they fit in each car and take small trouble to make it perfectly fitting ithout leaving such visible gaps and make it look like a factory-fit. It is just a one time job and the car for which they are designed will not be changing.

Much more to follow. For those who are interested, keep watching this space.

Last edited by Rudra Sen : 20th June 2013 at 07:42. Reason: caption edited
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Old 27th March 2011, 14:05   #2
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Congrats on the second air-con! I've also uploaded pictures of a similar install in my brother's Innova, that was done by Toyota A.S.S. (Shinrai at Worli) for a cost of Rs. 30,000. The cooling is A+. Link to thread with PICS

As you mentioned, the fit & panel gaps need improvement in your install.

Quote:
Originally Posted by parsh View Post
So my search went on to find one from garage from Fort to Thane, West and East but primarily looking for some good workshop nearby Powai, Vikhroli, Ghatkopar.
Quote:
So, in middle years, I had virtually given up on the idea of fitting it at all. But seeing the rising heat and the family needing it more now, I decided once again to start the hunt.
Should have searched on Team-BHP
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Old 27th March 2011, 17:41   #3
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

It looks like a nice setup there. Only a few gaps here and there on the sides. But like you said the manufacturer needs to sort these niggles out. Did your fitters try and adjust a little bit to reduce the gaps? Also justw wanted to know if this has a blower adjustment? If so how many speeds? Awaiting feedback on the cooling.
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Old 27th March 2011, 17:57   #4
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

how much did the whole thing cost?(components + labour)

Barring the side mould gaps, the unit looks very very neat ; much better than some "desi" looking vents and knobs that I have seen on some Innovas and Taveras

Last edited by vigsom : 27th March 2011 at 18:00. Reason: addition
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Old 27th March 2011, 19:43   #5
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
Congrats on the second air-con! I've also uploaded pictures of a similar install in my brother's Innova, that was done by Toyota A.S.S. (Shinrai at Worli) for a cost of Rs. 30,000. The cooling is A+. Link to thread with PICS

As you mentioned, the fit & panel gaps need improvement in your install.





Should have searched on Team-BHP
Thanks GTO. I had hooked onto your thread on the rear aircon fitting. I enquired with Shinrai also and they are still doing the same fittings at 33k now.
Unfortunately, while searching through TBHP also, I did not find any detailed informative guide and where to get it done and which one. So I thought it was time I put up a detailed log of what is involved in it and which suits better fitting-wise. I did quite a comparison between the one in your pics and the one I fitted and this Sanden one seemed to be better fit.

I intend to put up a complete log of the fitting with detailed pictures of fitting starting from entering the workshop till the complete fitment. I hope it will be some incite to people on what is involved in it.

Quote:
Originally Posted by mdsaab View Post
It looks like a nice setup there. Only a few gaps here and there on the sides. But like you said the manufacturer needs to sort these niggles out. Did your fitters try and adjust a little bit to reduce the gaps? Also justw wanted to know if this has a blower adjustment? If so how many speeds? Awaiting feedback on the cooling.
Yeah, in person it actually looks pretty good fit, unless you try to zoom in onto the minor gaps in the fittings. The molding manufacturers need to do quite job to make some nice fittings in respective cars. I guess it is a one time investment but that will atleast ease the fittings and better the looks of fittings.

It is possible to reduce the gaps to certain extents with limitations. You just cannot rely on any workmen to do proper justice to these fittings by cutting and filing them. They are essentially PVC moulds and beyond certain level there is issue of cracking them uncontrollably. So the tweaking is pretty minimal. I found these moulds pretty good compared to some other that are available in the market.

This Sanden aircon has a blower adjustment switch from OFF-LOW-MID-HIGH levels which is located below the LHS end, if you look in the picture. The pics that follow will throw more light on the same.

The cooling is damn good so far and we are happy to use only the LOW level of the blower otherwise it gets too chilling even in the 3rd row.

One thing I had seen in one other fitting from somewhere else was that the condensed water was getting accumulated on the lower face of the aircon and dripping on the matting and lap. It could be because of improper drainage pipe connections. However, so far there is no such observations in my fittings.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vigsom View Post
how much did the whole thing cost?(components + labour)

Barring the side mould gaps, the unit looks very very neat ; much better than some "desi" looking vents and knobs that I have seen on some Innovas and Taveras
Yeah pretty neat actually and I am quite happy the way it is although I would have liked to see all the gaps disappear and make it look like the factory fitted one in Tata Safari.

The entire cost was Rs 18000/- including the parts, labour and the aircon service. And I think it was worth having seen how it was done by the dedicated team of 5-8 workmen without making any mess anywhere.

I will be posting more on it once I get to resize the pics.

Last edited by parsh : 27th March 2011 at 19:47.
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Old 27th March 2011, 21:37   #6
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Hi Parsh, good to know about the additional aircon fitment.

We are looking at getting a used Innova as a replacement for our Ford Escort very shortly.

Do you think the stock AC of a 2006 Innova will be sufficient for Bangalore's summers, by restricting the airflow a bit in the front vents ?

Else I will have to factor in another 20k in the budget while closing the deal.
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Old 27th March 2011, 23:36   #7
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Quote:
Originally Posted by mooza View Post
Hi Parsh, good to know about the additional aircon fitment.

We are looking at getting a used Innova as a replacement for our Ford Escort very shortly.

Do you think the stock AC of a 2006 Innova will be sufficient for Bangalore's summers, by restricting the airflow a bit in the front vents ?

Else I will have to factor in another 20k in the budget while closing the deal.
Hi Mooza, I think stock ac of Innova is pretty good. Mine is earliest model of 2005 and still going strong without any problem at all and never even having to service it for long durations, very capable in hot and humid conditions. At front, my hands still freeze while driving and quite a chill for front row, hardly need to go above 1st or 2nd level blower with low to med ac level. The only thing is mine did not have stock 2nd & 3rd row ac vents.

If it is the G3/G4 variant you would have those vents at rear and those should be sufficient in a well maintained Innova. Suggest you do a thorough checkup before zeroing on it. If not, you need to factor in this fitment for sure.
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Old 28th March 2011, 10:30   #8
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Thanks for the comments, Parsh.

Quote:
Originally Posted by parsh View Post
The entire cost was Rs 18000/- including the parts, labour and the aircon service. And I think it was worth having seen how it was done by the dedicated team of 5-8 workmen without making any mess anywhere.
CHEAP! That's seriously well-priced, and is about 1/2 of what the authorised outlets charge.
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Old 28th March 2011, 11:06   #9
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Quote:
Originally Posted by GTO View Post
CHEAP! That's seriously well-priced, and is about 1/2 of what the authorised outlets charge.
Exactly and work is done very meticulously to my satisfaction (barring the gaps which are unfortunate due to the kind of mouldings available in market).
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Old 28th March 2011, 20:46   #10
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Quote:
Originally Posted by parsh View Post
If it is the G3/G4 variant you would have those vents at rear and those should be sufficient in a well maintained Innova. Suggest you do a thorough checkup before zeroing on it. If not, you need to factor in this fitment for sure.
Does fitting this affect the cooling in the front in any way?

Is there a separate switch for the rear air con apart from the rear blower speeds?
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Old 28th March 2011, 20:51   #11
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Into the workshop at Unicool Car Aircon, Ghatkopar Industrial Estate behind R-City

A pretty neat place and strong idealogy welcomes you

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105054080pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105058280pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105046980pc.jpg

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PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105049680pc.jpg

Last edited by parsh : 28th March 2011 at 20:56.
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Old 28th March 2011, 22:36   #12
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mpower View Post
Does fitting this affect the cooling in the front in any way?

Is there a separate switch for the rear air con apart from the rear blower speeds?
So far, I have not observed any effect on the front cooling due to this. The front is still chilling the same way.

There is no separate switch for aircon for this unit, only the blower control switch. The aircon is completely controlled by the front aircon switch and level dial.
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Old 29th March 2011, 09:38   #13
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Unpacking the box, you have several components, the aircon with its clamps, pipes and the side mouldings.

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105048980pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105052580pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105052680pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105052780pc.jpg

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PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105057480pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105057580pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105057680pc.jpg

Last edited by parsh : 29th March 2011 at 09:40.
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Old 30th March 2011, 08:04   #14
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

Stripping down the interiors

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105047680pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105048280pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105048480pc.jpg

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PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105050380pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105050680pc.jpg
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Old 31st March 2011, 19:03   #15
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Re: PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova

More interior stripping

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105050780pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105050880pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105062080pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105051580pc.jpg

Releasing refrigerent gas

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105051180pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105051280pc.jpg

Fitting process

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105052080pc.jpg

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PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105053480pc.jpg

PICS : Rear Aircon Retro-fitting in my Toyota Innova-p105053780pc.jpg
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