Defrost is badly designed, any mods to fix this?

[Crow_of_judgement]

On the rare occasion it freezes here, I just boil a couple gallons of water and dump them on whichever window I want defrosted, works great.

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[dokoroko]

On the rare occasion it freezes here, I just boil a couple gallons of water and dump them on whichever window I want defrosted, works great.

not recommended at all, just squirt some of your windshield washing fluid on it. it has alcohol in it and will melt it without rapidly heating the glass. not to mention dropping gallons of water on tempered glass isn't a good plan.

also the frost we're discussing is occurring inside the cabin

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

It’s cold here from November to March.

My heating system functions just as @airline tech described above and it does a great job of keeping my windshield and side windows clear as well as warming the cabin just fine. I have fairly strong airflow from the demistors.

I typically use the Defrost and Floor settings at the same time. Even on the coldest days, after the cabin is up to a comfortable temperature, I can turn the fan speed down to low and not worry about it.

You might have some system or vent issues or maybe it’s just too humid in your cab. Are you allowing fresh air in or do you run it on recirc?

 

[dokoroko]

It’s cold here from November to March.

My heating system functions just as @airline tech described above and it does a great job of keeping my windshield and side windows clear as well as warming the cabin just fine. I have fairly strong airflow from the demistors.

I typically use the Defrost and Floor settings at the same time. Even on the coldest days, after the cabin is up to a comfortable temperature, I can turn the fan speed down to low and not worry about it.

You might have some system or vent issues or maybe it’s just too humid in your cab. Are you allowing fresh air in or do you run it on recirc?

never recirc, i did see a code or something about my hvac in forscan? Maybe the recirc is stuck open or something? i did consider that but just assumed it was because of the foot vent pulling so much away from the window. I'll have to check.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

never recirc, i did see a code or something about my hvac in forscan? Maybe the recirc is stuck open or something? i did consider that but just assumed it was because of the foot vent pulling so much away from the window. I'll have to check.

That’s odd - you should be getting plenty of air flow to those vents. Is it the same degree of air flow on the passenger and driver sides?

 

[FunInTheSun]

It’s cold here from November to March.

My heating system functions just as @airline tech described above and it does a great job of keeping my windshield and side windows clear as well as warming the cabin just fine. I have fairly strong airflow from the demistors.

I typically use the Defrost and Floor settings at the same time. Even on the coldest days, after the cabin is up to a comfortable temperature, I can turn the fan speed down to low and not worry about it.

You might have some system or vent issues or maybe it’s just too humid in your cab. Are you allowing fresh air in or do you run it on recirc?

Oddly enough, I just had occasion to attempt defroster mode today, and it would not allow recirculate. It insisted on using outside air only. This may contribute to OP's problem. I am just going by memory, but I remember mashing the button several times, and it would not recirc.

If it matters, I had the AC (compressor) switch off. Hope this helps.

 

[Frenchy]

Oddly enough, I just had occasion to attempt defroster mode today, and it would not allow recirculate. It insisted on using outside air only. This may contribute to OP's problem. I am just going by memory, but I remember mashing the button several times, and it would not recirc.

If it matters, I had the AC (compressor) switch off. Hope this helps.

When in Defrost it is normal for the Recirculation door to stay open and only allow.outside air in. This is to only keep the windows from fogging up. I know because I attempted to have it close with the heat in my 2016 Frontier 5 years ago. I wasn't on Defrost but the windows fogged up immediately. Once I went to defrost with outside air the windows cleared right up.

 

[airline tech]

What a shame, really makes driving the truck in the cold tedious. There's 0 harm in having the side vents included in the defrost vent seeing as you could always seal them to restore full pressure to the defrost. it's unbelievable that my subaru is 20 years older and defrosts with no drama. I might consider plugging one of the rear foot ducts seeing as the foot vent being active is the primary cause.

Thanks AT

I am not sure if plugging up one of the floor vents (under seat) etc will help in getting more airflow from the demistors in non defrost modes, as the airflow is derived from the mode door position.

In Defrost mode, that airflow should be strong - the issue is I believe that the airflow is more directed at the front halves of the door windows for the side mirrors, I have noted that sometimes the back’s of the door windows will fog up when conditions are just right.

I will say that control wise the system falls short (abit) but it will run you out of the truck heat wise.

My main issue with it - In Auto , it focuses on the Foot Ducts , I cannot stand HOT feet and with the air being blown right at my feet I take it out of auto.
I have considered, blocking off the vent above the drivers feet for this issue.
I can get 160 Deg plus temp blowing at my feet , add in dressed in thermal underwear and socks - I work outdoors, so my drives to and from work can create me actually driving with the windows open to keep it comfortable in the cab but also keep the windows defogged.

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

I am not sure if plugging up one of the floor vents (under seat) etc will help in getting more airflow from the demistors in non defrost modes, as the airflow is derived from the mode door position.

In Defrost mode, that airflow should be strong - the issue is I believe that the airflow is more directed at the front halves of the door windows for the side mirrors, I have noted that sometimes the back’s of the door windows will fog up when conditions are just right.

I will say that control wise the system falls short (abit) but it will run you out of the truck heat wise.

My main issue with it - In Auto , it focuses on the Foot Ducts , I cannot stand HOT feet and with the air being blown right at my feet I take it out of auto.
I have considered, blocking off the vent above the drivers feet for this issue.
I can get 160 Deg plus temp blowing at my feet , add in dressed in thermal underwear and socks - I work outdoors, so my drives to and from work can create me actually driving with the windows open to keep it comfortable in the cab but also keep the windows defogged.

Ironically, there are posts and threads from members complaining about not getting enough heat to their feet. ?‍

I have the 300A pkg and all controls are manual. From having owned earlier Rangers, it’s what I’m used to and I have it totally dialed in. ?

 

[KNI]

 

[Rp930]

No design problem at all. Works pretty much like any other vehicle I have owned.

 

[rio-ranger]

These work well. https://www.amazon.com/Dehumidifier...8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[Scottlane1171]

2022 ranger here. No the adjustable vents do not work with defrost. You can only do defrost and floor or floor and adjustable vent or any of the 3 independently

 

[Motorpsychology]

I am not aware of an HVAC system tha will give you VENT/DEFR. My '09 Mariner will blend FLOOR/VENT pretty well, at the expense of frost forming in the upper corners of the windshield. FLOOR/DEFR. works OK in either vehicle, but I usually have to kick the temp and fan speed up. I'm down here in tropical Wisconsin and my best results in below zero conditions is to warm up the Ranger for about 5-10 minutes then just use AUTO or MAX DEFR which puts out copious amounts of scalding hot air through the defroster and its side vents (not the adj. dash vents). On AUTO, I can live with some frost at the rear of the side windows, and upper corners of the windshield. we don't usually get temps below -20ºF/-29ºC anymore, If it does, I have the luxury of postponing errands.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Oddly enough, I just had occasion to attempt defroster mode today, and it would not allow recirculate. It insisted on using outside air only. This may contribute to OP's problem. I am just going by memory, but I remember mashing the button several times, and it would not recirc.

If it matters, I had the AC (compressor) switch off. Hope this helps.

The defroster will only recirculate on MAX DEFROST. The system will use A/C when it needs to regardless if you have the A/C button pressed, down to around 38º.

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