Defrost is badly designed, any mods to fix this?

[Jason B]

That damn recirc button has a mind of its own, almost literally.
The HVAC will decide when to recirc or not, based on interior and exterior temp and humidity.
As for floor heat, IIRC some of that airflow is going to the rear seats in a SCREW, leaving cold feet in the front. But my '95 F150 had the same problem of cold feet.

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[Motorpsychology]

That damn recirc button has a mind of its own, almost literally.
The HVAC will decide when to recirc or not, based on interior and exterior temp and humidity.
As for floor heat, IIRC some of that airflow is going to the rear seats in a SCREW, leaving cold feet in the front. But my '95 F150 had the same problem of cold feet.

I think you're right, but in MAX DEFROST is stays in recirc with full high heat, occasionally using A/C if above 38ºF.
for the cold feet problem:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/sorrel boots?

 

[KJRR]

As for floor heat, IIRC some of that airflow is going to the rear seats in a SCREW, leaving cold feet in the front.

Block off the rear floor vents.
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/blocking-off-rear-underseat-vents.11962/

 

[mtbikernate]

I just put my HVAC in Auto mode all the time and have been reasonably satisfied with how it works. I like that in Auto mode, I don't need to fuss with it. Even when I drive up to visit family in Michigan in the wintertime.

though my wife is unimpressed with it. she WANTS to be scalded and I very much don't want that. the dual mode climate settings don't really allow for that great of a difference, so she just has to live with the seat heater to make up the difference because I get grumpy if she turns off the auto setting so she can blast hot air in her face.

 

[SilverSlugger]

Yep, the heat and Ac on these is a terrible design. The feet vents bearly work.

 

[Motorpsychology]

Yep, the heat and Ac on these is a terrible design. The feet vents bearly work.

It feels like it doesn't have a nozzle; just blows out under the dash and hope some heat reaches the floor.

 

[SilverSlugger]

It feels like it doesn't have a nozzle; just blows out under the dash and hope some heat reaches the floor.

100%, lazy Ford engineering.

 

[subquark]

I'm in New Hampshire, so nowhere near the arctic circle (but I was born in Quebec and lived there on and off over the years - but I'm sure it's not anywhere as cold as your secret spot - wait, are you Santa?). =p

I set my truck settings to use the last climate control for remote start and then use remote start (when I'm not in a crazy hurry) to start my Ranger. I hate chipping ice and would rather have the truck do it (and it sometimes takes 10 minutes to clear it, depending on temp and thickness of ice and snow). I occasionally use denatured alcohol to clear the windshield if I'm in a rush.

I set it to full heat, full fan, and defrost only. Air comes out the defroster vents at the windshield and the tiny, non-adjustable demister vents. No air comes out of the 4 dash vents or the foot vents.

Once I get in, I'll adjust as needed to the feet or dash and/or defroster. I will set to dash and defroster if lots of ice is on the side windows. I have an XL scab and don't have a rear defroster, don't have heated mirrors, no heated steering wheel, and no heated seats ...

Thankfully, along with this horribly designed defroster, my equally terrible bed rake helps the melted windshield ice drip off faster. Of course, that means spark plug #4 is hosed and my engine cover mice complain about getting wet.

Bah, my bad bed rake issue seems to have doubled! ! =p
And fancy pants 1.5 litre spray bottle and denatured alcohol for deicing before take off!

my sourpuss face is because the OP seemed pedantic and mysterious about locale and I had to come outside, as an ever-loving-5G-forum member, to support all Rangers and I'm in flip flops (my daughter knitted the hat and it's nearly the warmest one I have) =D

by the way, while I'm nowhere in as severe a winter locale as the OP, this is my actual neighbour saying hello to Cheech from across our ice chasm fence (late summer pic)

 

[subquark]

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

Nah, use the boiling water and splash it inside, that way it won't get in #4 spark plug and you'll defrost it fast!

 

[Frenchy]

I think you're right, but in MAX DEFROST is stays in recirc with full high heat, occasionally using A/C if above 38ºF.
for the cold feet problem:
https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/search/sorrel boots?

Negative sir, Recirculation does not operate in defrost position what so ever. The AC on the other hand does. Not the Recirculation though

 

[subquark]

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?

I guess our scabs are theoretically a little easier to heat (especially if the rear is taken up by a 5 inch mattress, several blankets, and an additional small bed for Cheech! Plus all the crap I have on the floor back there).

To be fair, this did take an extra couple of minutes to thaw:

 

[Motorpsychology]

100%, lazy Ford engineering.

50¢ saving on 3" nozzle per Ranger, X est. 700,000 lifetime build (11/18-09/29) = $350,000 savings over the model run. Add to that all the other decontenting on all models and it makes a substantial contribution to erecting two battery plants and Blue Oval City.
Old legend about Bub Lutz, while head GM Europe in the early 60s, he ordered that exhaust pipes on Opels be made 5cm/2 in shorter to save money. Lutz went on to work at Ford, Chrysler, BMW, Exide and several other exec positions, At 91 years old, he is co-founder of VLF Automotive, an American car company that has produced about a hundred prototypes since 2012....but you just wait!

 

[Motorpsychology]

Negative sir, Recirculation does not operate in defrost position what so ever. The AC on the other hand does. Not the Recirculation though

Thanks! I stand corrected. I had assumed that it did because the fan reaches a higher speed in Max D than when on regular defrost and the manual switch is all the way up.
I should take my own advice and check the Owner's Manual when answering a thread.

 

[Frenchy]

Thanks! I stand corrected. I had assumed that it did because the fan reaches a higher speed in Max D than when on regular defrost and the manual switch is all the way up.
I should take my own advice and check the Owner's Manual when answering a thread.

I won't argue that the fan will reach Max speed no matter what. If I'm not mistaken it kind of changes a little bit when research does get activated. But Max heat with defrost might be a little bit different story

 

[5thranger]

I never stated not the 4, yes of the 4 the 2 which are on the sides.

Wait a minute, you just responded.

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