None left where ?

 

There's just straight-out none left. The kit was never popular, and was discontinued (and nobody even noticed). I'm thinking I could rig something - maybe a wood "frame" around the perimeter of the filter that will allow for a good fit?

How often are you supposed to change those things, anyway?

XXL

 

Hmmm...strange...if the kit was never popular, then why are we all talking about it?

Are you listening Ford?

 

Good question. Slow time on the boards? Nobody blown a spark plug out recently?

Think about the situation logically. Your vehicle is "full" of outside air all the time, do you filter the outside air every time you breathe? Probably not. Hence why do you need to filter it inside your car? If you can find the kit and/or a way to install the filters, great, but I wouldn't lose any sleep over the matter. If you're really worried about air quality talk with the government.

 

Well, let's say you drive on gravel roads and you roll up the windows, but that doesn't help because the dust comes in through the vents. Wouldn't the filter be an advantage?

Yes, I believe you could replace the brackets, but they are pretty convoluted. Probably some rope caulk or something would be necessary.

PS: I think Ford recommends changing at 30,000 miles, but others recommend 15,000 (maybe to sell more). Obviously it depends on conditions; I figure I'll change it when I do the engine air filter.

 

Actually we all filter the air (outside or otherwise) we breath. That's one of the functions of our nostrils.

The reason we don't usually need additional filtration for the outside air we breath is that natural air currents will provide the mixing and dilution we need.

Not so inside a vehicle. You're stuck with the air drawn in. The replenishment/mixing is far below what we experience outside.

That's why a filter should be, in my opinion, a standard feature on every vehicle. I'm a bit spoiled -- I'll admit -- in that all my other vehicles have not only a particulate filter, but a charcoal one to remove odors as well. Believe me, it helps with allergies.

I don't think I'll be asking the government for any favors either (on this or anything else). Not only is such an idea completely against everything I believe in and stand for, but for "them" to help, they'd have to remove every tree, flower, weed, and blade of grass (only a partial list). As I recall, they tried doing something like that in a place called Vietnam. Pollution is an altogether different (and additional) subject, which I won't get into here.

Ford can do its part by living up to its advertising. If this feature is supposed to be an accessory, then it should be available. Period.

This is my logical thinking: It's more likely I will have a filter in my vehicle than for the government to clean up the air to an acceptable level for us allergy sufferers.

 

I like the charcoal thing. Maybe that would help with one of the "side effects" from my wife's horses!

I'm going to have to look to see if any of the replacements incorporate that.

 

They're great! You can be behind a bus and not smell a thing.

These should be standard too!

 

You guys seem to be suggesting to cut out a segment of the plenum box to add a filter. May I ask what opening the air flows through when on MAX AC setting? Wouldn't you want to place a filter there to filter cabin air? I think you would want to find out where air enters the system from the outside and place a filter there to filter incoming air to prevent dust and such.

My understanding was that that was where the cabin filter option was supposed to go.

 

That's the point - the section of the plenum box that I'm getting ready to cut is where the filter would've gone if my truck was so equipped. If the project goes south, then I'll just put some duct tape on there.

XXL

 

Yep!

 

The cabin air filter we're all talking about filters air coming in from outside.

In MAX A/C mode, the interior air is recirculated. There is no make-up air. That's why MAX A/C is normally used to provide an initial cool-down of the interior. It's usually easier/quicker to cool recirculated interior air than fresh air from outside. The downside is the re-used air can get stale, and you have a greater likelihood of fogging up the windows.

 

Again, the instructions from Ford claim it filters the air in BOTH recirculate AND incoming modes. Since it is placed just before the blower fan, I do think it filters wherever the air is drawn from. I believe it is much like your house's furnace filter in this regard.

 

All the more reason to want one!

 

Well, it took a bit of doing, but I did find an installation kit. Took about an hour and a half to install. No real surprises or headaches; just an awkward spot to work.

I haven't compared the system before vs. after yet...but my sinuses are already thanking me!

Rich