87 A/C Retrofit questions/checklist

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't see a drier...

 

[tx_pwp5]

I don't see a drier...

Good catch, I did order that, just forgot to include it!

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Good catch, I did order that, just forgot to include it!

I figured, they are pretty cheap too.

 

[tx_pwp5]

Anyone know how much ester oil needs to be used?

 

[tx_pwp5]

Anyone know how much ester oil needs to be used?

"Remove the compressor and stand it on it's end and let the oil drain out. Spin the clutch as you do this. When it's empty, add about 3 oz of Ester oil. Spin the clutch by hand again to let the oil get distributed in the compressor. Reinstall it in the truck and try not to let any oil spill out. Pour the rest of the oil in the new accumulator. The total oil capacity is 7 oz, so I would pour about 3 oz in the compressor, and 4 oz in the accumulator."


^quote from another thread on this site by exbass94 talking about (I believe) a 93 2.3
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[4x4junkie]

For my '90 2.9L it's 10 oz of refrigerant oil. I believe '87 has the same FS-6 compressor, so it's quite likely yours needs 10 oz also, but I'd suggest double-checking it to verify.

(my '94 4.0L w/FS-10 comp uses 7 oz)

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

For my '90 2.9L it's 10 oz of refrigerant oil. I believe '87 has the same FS-6 compressor, so it's quite likely yours needs 10 oz also, but I'd suggest double-checking it to verify.

(my '94 4.0L w/FS-10 comp uses 7 oz)

Is that dependent on the compressor or the system?

 

[tx_pwp5]

Awesome thanks for the heads up on this. Last thing I want is to lose the compressor and have to redo everything. I only ordered 8 oz.

 

[4x4junkie]

Is that dependent on the compressor or the system?

I would assume compressor, as the rest of the system is pretty much identical outside of some slight differences in hose lengths and orifice size.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I would assume compressor, as the rest of the system is pretty much identical outside of some slight differences in hose lengths and orifice size.

I am putting a 96-01 Explorer A/C compressor (to go with the belt system of my 5.0) in my '85... so there is some system differences in my case.

 

[tx_pwp5]

I would assume compressor, as the rest of the system is pretty much identical outside of some slight differences in hose lengths and orifice size.

So far there have been a few things that are different that I've noticed.

The wiring harness changed between the 1st and 2nd gens.

The condenser is bolted directly to the core support on the first gens, and has L shaped brackets that mount to the core support on the second gens.

The A/C panels are (of course) different, especially the shape and texture of the buttons. This is probably just appearance stuff, but still good to know.

I THINK the belts might be different, but not totally sure. There were two sizes available when I ordered mine, both "compatible" with the 2.9.

That covers what I can think of off the top of my head.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have noticed the condenser itself is different too. First gens have both inlets on the PS and second gens have one inlet on each side.

 

[tx_pwp5]

I have noticed the condenser itself is different too. First gens have both inlets on the PS and second gens have one inlet on each side.

good catch I forgot about that. That would change the hose length too I would imagine.

 

[4x4junkie]

But unless the capacity (size) or the flow-design of the condenser is different, I'm not sure any of that would matter.

Maybe you might ask over on www.autoacforum.com. There's probably some experts over there that could answer that question better than I can.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

good catch I forgot about that. That would change the hose length too I would imagine.

I am shooting for the second gen condenser. Like my 2.8 had the compressor on the DS (same as my 302 will be) so for the first gen setup I would have a hose going from the evaporator to the condenser, then another hose coming out of the condenser and wrapping around the back of the engine coming up to the compressor and then another hose coming out of the compressor, wrapping around the back of the engine again back over to the evaporator.

With the second gen the condenser-to-compressor pipe right in front of the compressor so you lose one of the hoses looping around the back of the engine. Cleaner looking install and fewer variables for those of us that are not stock and will probably have to make our own hoses.

So far I only have the harness and the half of the A/C box I didn't mangle trying to fit with my tall valve covers. For the generic Sandon compressors we upgrade tractors to at work I think it just says with the compressor how much oil, not really caring what color tractor it is going in. I will have to pay more attention to that.