DIY Washable Cabin Air Filter

My house came with them, but I think I saw them at Lowes.

 

I think I got mine at Home Depot, but I think they're carried by both.

 

Just made one last night, there was no filter in there when I looked. I actually had an extra filter laying around. Cutting a full 8x8 was too large though, I had to cut it down a a little to make it fit. Works great though, nice write up!

 

wow awesome, save me a lot of money with this

 

I did the same thing on a 2006 RAV 4 and am planning on doing it on this 2010 Tacoma when it needs to be changed. Good post.

 

Cool idea... but sticking with logical source!

 

Touche!

 

I did this the first time you posted it and appreciate the effort, the write up and esp. the pics. Monkey see monkey do. Easy. Like Bambie said if you don't have nothing nice to say shut the F up or something like that and what step by step tutorials have the negatory peeps contributed ?

 

Awesome response!! Nice write up!
I haven't checked my fliter since I purchased the truck. I rarely drive with the wondows down, and the vent is always on REC. (I actually disconnected the motor that opens the vent.)
But I might try this mod!
I'm all for saving the environment!

 

Others have had success washing the standard filter too; just some food for thought. Nice write up nonetheless, but I got a question. Is there a reason you cut the 8x8 in segment from the middle as opposed to the edges? Or can you buy a smaller filter to cut from. Seems like a lot of waste can be generated which makes the point of conserving moot.

 

The sentence right before the first picture explains why I used the center. You could use the other areas, but I like the fact that the rivet in the middle keeps the sandwiched pieces together. And I didn't necessarily do this to "save the environment" as others keep implying. I did it to save me money over the long run (I'm conserving my money). As far as using a smaller filter, they now make one that's smaller but it isn't adjustable...and it's the adjustable one that comes with the rivets.

 

Just for the Hell of It. I went to a Auto Parts Store (The type with guys behind the counter, that have to get you eveything, not self-service) to price a Cabin Filter.
$32...I laughed and walked out...!!!

 

I did this today because the one that was there from the stealership had been inserted wrong and was all folded up permanently on one side so it was not doing a thing. No wonder why the fan was so loud on high. I found this insert at Home Depo but wasn't really looking for it. I was actually going to build my entire frame but I could not find suitable stuff to construct it with in the store. The only thing I did different is I added one more layer of super fine filter material on the bottom and drilled two holes in the front two inches apart where I stuck in a Tye Rap for a handle. I also never used those plastic clips but instead used some really flat wood screws (Waffle head #8 X 9/16") so I can open it up easily and change the fine cloth instead of reusing it. I have miles of it here for computers so that is not a problem. Not worth washing that layer out. It's like hepa filter fine. The filter from the stealership is useless, too weak and too easy apparently to insert it incorrectly. It can fall off the tracks and fold up inside where you cant see it.

Ya imagine I probably paid 32 dollars and it was not even inserted correctly, They broke it. The filter is too complicated for them.

 

Thanks Moose05! I'm going to find me an web adjustable filter right away.

 

Thanks for the mod! I bought the filter this afternoon and I'm going to trim it up this evening. I have only been a member of this site for a short while and I didn't even know I had a cabin filter till I started looking around here. So this will be my second mod for my Taco (the first was the Dodge towing mirrors). Well I finished it up just a few min.'s ago. I had to make the overall width w/ frame in place 8" x 8" overall. I guess not all 2005's are made equal (You are showing the grid 8" square. After adding the frame it's just over the 8" overall requiring me to modify your mod to fit my Taco). I'll post my pics later when I get them on the p.c. But w/ out you starting this mod I would never had added a filter because of the cost in the long run. Was thinking after five years of not having a filter what is another five or twenty!

 

so I did the standard wash and reuse filter technique and my filter disintegrated lol... Had to order from logic source just now. damnit... Haven't touched it since i bought my truck brand new .... that could have been the reason why.

 

Perfect example right there to use a filter like this that is designed to be washed.

 

Logic source cost me about 13.57$ to have it shipped to Hawaii to my door. sigh... Don't have time to do the home depot filter mod

 

The adjustable one? Where did you get it from? I need to do this.

 

no i went logical source way