With all the driving on dirt roads (off-roading, cutting firewood, etc), I was getting tired of having to replace my cabin air filter once a month. As many of you know, I was making one from a cheap home filter and the last one went from being white when new to dark brown when I replaced it.
So I got to thinking, why not make one that lasts forever and can be washed? We use one of the washable filters inside our home that never needs to be replaced. So I purchased another one this weekend (The Web Plus washable electrostatic air filter for $19.97 plus tax) and modified it to fit snugly inside the slot for the cabin air filter. Make sure it's the adjustable filter.
Instructions:
Remove the glovebox, open the filter door, and remove any old filters.
Cut out an 8" x 8" section from the middle of the filter (Use the middle because the center filter material is attached there with a plastic rivet. The squares are each 1" to make it easy.)
Trim up the sides until they fit around the new 8" x 8" center piece. (NOTE: You must use the smaller sides because the height of the larger sides will not fit...the smaller sides are a perfect fit)
To cut the sides, I used a box cutter. Just apply a little forward pressure to slide the blade while putting a lot of pressure downward.
Once both side are trimmed down, use pliers to bend the piece back and then easily cut it with the box cutter.
The areas circled in red are what prevent you from using the larger filter sides.
Put the pieces together tucking in the corners so they overlap. Then try it out to make sure your filter fits.
Next, drill holes in the two unconnected corners to the same size as those already in the filter sides. Use two of the four white plastic rivets to connect it. The finished filter should look like this:
Now just slide it into the slot! You'll want to slide it in with the white rivets on the downward side (toward the floor and fan) because that leaves a very flat side upward which helps complete the seal above.
That's it! When it's dirty, hit it with the hose or just wash it in the sink then let it air dry.
Cheers.
__________________
"Think Outside the Box!"
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
Nice write up, however I'm surprised the airbox says "Delphi" on it. Isn't delphi the supplier of GM crap?
That made headlines when the Tacoma was redesigned in '05. That's why so many people are complaining about the reduced quality...air flap door tsb, bearing "ticking" sound, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by SOSHeloPilot
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05Moose,
Nice DIY project and write up with photos. I think that I will do that one.
Also, thanks again for the past rear spring TSB info. I am getting that TSB done on my Tacoma when parts are received.
SOS
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You're most certainly welcome.
__________________
"Think Outside the Box!"
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
05Moose,
Nice DIY... I have the Blitz washable filter on my LS430. I was just thinking what size is the electrostatic air filter? Could you have use to make two instead of one. That way you can have a spare when the other is waiting to air dry. That's what I do with my washable. I have only one washable and one stock. I just use the stock while letting the wash air dry then switch it back. But with the Blitz washable is not all that great because after 2 years I do replace it because you can see the fuss and just to be free off any bacteria or germs build up.
Last edited by truongsean; 08-03-2009 at 12:41 AM.
05Moose,
Nice DIY... I have the Blitz washable filter on my LS430. I was just thinking what size is the electrostatic air filter? Could you have use to make two instead of one. That way you can have a spare when the other is waiting to air dry. That's what I do with my washable. I have only one washable and one stock. I just use the stock while letting the wash air dry then switch it back. But with the Blitz washable is not all that great because after 2 years I do replace it because you can see the fuss and just to be free off any bacteria or germs build up.
You wouldn't be able to make two because there isn't enough of the outer piece to work with.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JaredPointer
I think that's Delco, although I could be wrong.
He didn't say Delphi was owned by GM, but rather Delphi supplies a lot of parts to GM. Delphi just emerged out of bankruptcy (after 4 years) last month and is GM's largest supplier.
__________________
"Think Outside the Box!"
'05 4x4 DC LB SR5 Tow Pkg BFG All-Terrain T/A KO, Leer Tonneau, Westin Platinum Nerf Bars, Fog and Map Light Mods, Orig. Owner 12/3/04
DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter
Linear Mode
