I live next to a freeway so my car gets very dirty on the outside. Dust accumulates pretty quickly on the inside as well. Can't be good for the breathing.
I noticed that my cabin air filter was filthy after about 6 months after buying the car. I didn't want to pay the $30+ the dealer was asking for a replacement filter so I looked for an alternative. I found a great tutorial on ScionLife. Since then I've been cutting filters from a whole 3M sheet (designed for home AC/heater units) and inserting into the slot behind the glove compartment.
Recently I found a new tutorial from a member who cleverly thought to make a frame for the filter. I gave it a go and my frame came out like this -

Here's what the OEM filter looked like at 6 months

Aluminum frame

Plastic support frame

Filter material

Frame and filter inserted in slot behind glove compartment


Please refer to this thread on ScionLife and many thanks to RicRat for the idea...
http://scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=188352



 

BAD ASS! I need to replace mine soon.

Wanna make me one? I'll pay

The filter was $20. Six xB or tC filters can be cut outta the whole sheet..so less than $4 for one.
The aluminum was $5.50, the corner braces cost $2.

With tax, it broke down to about $13. Now I have a tray (our xB's do not have one) and a filter that's reusable and supposed to last for years.

I've already used up some more of the filter material for my daughter's tC. Her friend's 1st Gen xB will get the hookup later this week. They have stock filter trays in theirs so those lucky girls aren't paying a cent! 

This is a GREAT idea! I'll get to work on this as soon as I have some time. Can you give us the dimensions (L x W x H) of the frame? Also, what am I looking for exactly as far as what parts (the aluminum frame and plastic cage piece) are called?

I love the red paintjob - it totally gives it a finished look!