Refrigerating a Land Rover

(besides driving it in the winter) by Andy Woodward

Some thoughts on how to keep a Land Rover a bit more comfortable in the Arizona heat (or anywhere else). Speaking from 20 years of experience living in Tucson where the summer temperatures commonly hit 110 F day after day there is NO way to keep from roasting in a Land Rover, but a few things seem to help.

1. The best heat reduction technique I've ever found is to coat the top of the tropical roof with a white reflective house roof coating. This paint-like stuff does a super job of cooling down the sheet metal top. You can place your hand on the coated surface when its 110F and not even feel the heat. Here in Tucson the product is sold by a local paint manufacturer as "KoolKoat" but the same stuff is also made by Sinclair Paint and Dupont. It really works and the white color pretty much matches the original top.

2. Try insulating the under seat tool box. A LOT of heat comes up through the floor from the exhaust system. I used styrofoam scraps glued to the inside of the box. That cost some space but really cooled down my rear end and lower legs.

3. Insulate the footwells, especially the area adjacent to the gas pedal. I used a combination of thick plush carpet (that's all through my 109) and closed cell foam. Keeps the right foot cool(don't know about LROs in the UK, but I doubt you get your left foot roasted in the summer anyway).

4. Insulate the floorboards. Once again a LOT of heat comes up through the bottom. Carpeting and styrofoam work well.

5. I made a sheet metal shield for exhaust system where it passes under the drivers area. Simply curved a piece about 24" wide and riveted a couple of braces to attach to the tail pipe. Seems to help some and doesn't get in the way.

6. As discussed in recent threads - glue closed cell foam to the underside of the roof. My next project when I put in a new headliner. Gluing foam to the underside of the hood (bonnet) should also help reduce heat coming into the vehicle.

Reprinted from the OVLR Newsletter, December 1996