98 ranger questions

[88ranger2.3]

So I have a 1998 ranger xlt, 3.0 v6, 5 speed. It is a non a/c truck. I have been looking around the junkyard and have noticed my heater box looks different then most. My truck came factory with a evaporator housing that is empty under the hood. Is that normal for a non a/c truck? I was also looking and I see the wiring with connector for a/c compressor hookup. Did ford make a dealer a/c prep option ? I am the third owner, and the second owner (cousin) had the truck since a couple of years old and low miles and verified it was all factory when he got the truck. It appears the truck would be very easy to convert to a/c as it looks to be set up for it. I haven't checked the wiring in the cab to see if an a/c control will swap in or not yet.

Just a cursory review on my options and figured someone would know more here.

Thanks