Heat in transmission tunnel - Frontera

This is a common problem in modern vehicles which is not isolated to the Frontera. It's caused by there being no insulation under the carpet. Holden will try to fobb you off saying there's nothing wrong. They are aware of the issue, but don't want to know about it as it will cost them money to address a problem they caused by penny pinching back at the factory. The only way you will fix it, is to remove the interior fixtures (seats carpet etc) and fit proper high quality sound deadening insulation to the metal floor, which will also cut down heat radiation into the interior.

I've performed the same surgery on my previous vehicle, a Series II VT Commodore S/W. The material I used I got from my cousin who is a panel beater. It is the same stuff Holden use at the factory on the Commodore sedan. Holden stick it to the exterior of the plastic petrol tank to insulate it from the radient heat of the rear muffler. It is a very dense black foam, about 3mm thick & has a thin layer of Aluminum on one side. The other side is adhesive. Next time you are at a dealership ask to see a VX or VY sedan up on the hoist and look at the stuff stuck to the pertol tank.

The difference it made to my Commodore was enormous. . It can easily be done in a day. With an able bodied assistant it is very easy.

Tinted windows are also a wise investment in cutting down heat intrusion if you haven't done so already.

Once you've fitted the insulation, it will cut down road noise significantly, as well as deliver big fuel savings.

Why wasn't this done at the factory you ask. To save probably about $10.00 of production cost.

Cheers and good luck,
Rowie.

not a frontera but a cpl of years ago in our gq on the way to qld about 3 in the morning the car started filling with smoke.
a cpl of jackets under the back seat got that hot from the floor they cought fire.
lucky for the $20 fire extinguisher i say.new job coming so no fraser this time:-((

Hi

Seems like a common problem with lots of makes, I have 75 series that gets hot
around the transmission tunnel. See post 3795, your not the only one !!!.

Phil

For what its worth........probably is "normal" within the terms of design for that vehicle. I had a Mazda Bravo that did the very same - too hot to leave your leg there for long. Without the trim, one may have got burnt in the summer. The maker probably knows this but hey....do they really care ?Gotta have red sand on those boots !

I spoke to my mechanic some time ago about the same thing with my "grey import" Nissan and he said that this situation was "normal". Fortunately mine only gets hot when it has to work pretty hard. I like the idea about the extra insulation though.
cheers

Keep in mind that a lot of these cars are manufactured in countries where they don't have our kind of climate. The Frontera is an example, made in the USA.

I've seen a 2000 Frontera with a snorkel. I asked the driver about it and he says it's an adapted Rodeo snorkel. Unfortunately he was in a rush and couldn't give me anymore info. While this Frontera had a snorkel, it was dressed up in such a manner that made me think it has never been offroad. The 17" chrome rims with Bridgestone low profile Dueler HP's on them is a bit of a giveaway. As were the dark tinted headlights.

I'm not sure as to whether the airbox on the Frontera and Rodeo are in the same position, but if they are then the Rodeo snorkel is a possibility. It may be worth enquiring with ARB or Airtec about this.

I had the V6 SE Frontera when they first came out. I found with my one that the auto used to overheat whenever extra load was put onto it, such as towing and sand driving. The dash light never came on, though it did go into "limp mode" as the service manager called it, which is where it holds higher gears and locks the torque converter.

Regards
Slunnie

Have just aquired a 2000 se frontera and have experienced the same heat thru floor & tunnel especially when in sand. Being new to this off road caper thought it to be the norm because of work load. will now have to rethink and be a bit more aware of it. regarding snorkel have tried both arb & tjm and been told by both nothing available off the shelf. at one store a tjm worker has a frontera & is apparently experimenting with a rodeo snorkel to see if it will fit with a bit of modification but no news to date. he apparently can't bring himself to cut holes in case it doesn't work. don't blame him @ all. if by chance u get any news on availability for a frontie please let me know.