1987 A/C Delete question: Will the defrost work once the compressor is removed?

[NC87STX]

As the title says, will the defrost work at all or will it half way work? I have recently acquired an 1987 2.9L 4x4 STX with factory manual hubs and a manual trasfercase for a killer deal, witch the truck needed a little work. Got it up and running pretty good this past weekend with a little TLC, but this truck will be a spare/beater truck for myself, I try to keep things as simple as possible and I like having plenty of room under the hood to work as well and I plan on installing the largest trans cooler that will fit behind the grille if I remove the condenser.

For those of you who have deleted the A/C, will the defrost work at all? Will it barely work or is better to just leave the compressor there? I don't have to have the A/C at all, the A/C system works, just needs a charging to get it where it should be. Trying to get some input on this before I make my final decision.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dirtman]

Cars without AC still have a defrost setting so yes, it will still work. However it works much better with AC because the AC system can dry the air before blowing it on the windsheild which helps for "defogging". Without the AC system working, it just blows air, no drying effect.

 

[NC87STX]

That's kinda what I had figured, thanks for your fast and helpful reply!

 

[gw33gp]

It is particularly bad in the rain when it is cold, without a working A/C. It is not so good when it is snowing too. I have experienced this in vehicles without A/C.

 

[franklin2]

It's those semi-warm foggy mornings are where you will notice the difference. My 86 had the wing windows, so I would turn the heat up, put it on defrost, but then open a wing window to exhaust the heat and the moisture as it burned it off.

 

[Dirtman]

The old timey trick to using the defrost to "defog" the windsheild before AC was standard is to make sure you don't use heat. Hot air on a cold winsheild makes things worse. That and an old rag in the glovebox to wipe the fog off...

 

[NC87STX]

It's those semi-warm foggy mornings where you will notice the difference. My 86 had the wing windows, so I would turn the heat up, put it on defrost, but then open a wing window to exhaust the heat and the moisture as it burned it off.

I'm fortunate to have the vent windows on my 87 STX which is the biggest reason why I bought it.

It is particularly bad in the rain when it is cold, without a working A/C. It is not so good when it is snowing too. I have experienced this in vehicles without A/C.

This example is the main reason why I'm contemplating on keeping the A/C system.

 

[franklin2]

The old timey trick to using the defrost to "defog" the windsheild before AC was standard is to make sure you don't use heat. Hot air on a cold winsheild makes things worse. That and an old rag in the glovebox to wipe the fog off...

I don't agree with that, but he can try it both ways and see what works the best I guess.

 

[Dirtman]

Warm air condenses on cold surfaces... thats just how things work...

Unless you disagree with my rag idea... I have no rebuttle to that.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I deleted my AC. Windshield fog is a pain in the ass every now and then.

Bottle of anti fog goes a long way, as well as a dehumidifier bag hanging behind the seat.

Have been researching if I can toss a peltier cooler in the ducts as a dehumidifier. Plausible, but haven't tried it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is particularly bad in the rain when it is cold, without a working A/C. It is not so good when it is snowing too. I have experienced this in vehicles without A/C.

The big problem with snow/winter is you get in the truck after clearing all the ice and snow... so you are covered in that and breathing hard. Then you get in the pickup cab that has been warming up thru the process and boom... instant humidity.

Once you get the glass warmed up and the cabin humidity stablized you are GTG though.

First gens are at a disadvantage too, they have no side vents to blow on the side windows so you have to have the outside two dash vents pointed at the windows and alternate between defrost and panel. Opening the rear slider window can help too.

Mine hasn't had A/C for the 19.5 years I have had it. I do want to add it but the defroster has never been a huge issue.

 

[cbxer55]

I don't agree with that, but he can try it both ways and see what works the best I guess.

I agree with you. The AC in my 98 Ranger hasn't worked in years. I've never had any problem driving it otherwise, cold or hot. I use heat on a cold window all the time to defog it. Never been a problem for me. But, I am not one of those who jumps in a vehicle, starts it and drives off. A few minutes warm up, especially in the winter, goes a long way.

 

[PetroleumJunkie412]

I agree with you. The AC in my 98 Ranger hasn't worked in years. I've never had any problem driving it otherwise, cold or hot. I use heat on a cold window all the time to defog it. Never been a problem for me. But, I am not one of those who jumps in a vehicle, starts it and drives off. A few minutes warm up, especially in the winter, goes a long way.

OMG.

A Ranger post. That was helpful.


And no L word.

@ericbphoto, this should go on the TRS calendar

 

[Dirtman]

Fun fact: Air conditioners condition the air.

 

[cbxer55]

Fun fact: I never use ac. I'm a windows down driver. Wind through the windows condition the air.