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Add A/C - First Gen Ranger


chrisser

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I bought my '87 used.

The controls on the dash have an A/C button, but there's no compressor and it appears that the HVAC housing doesn't have an evaporator.

Not sure if the truck originally was on-A/C and the PO swapped in an A/C control panel, or if the truck was A/C and the PO removed the compressor and swapped in a non-AC HVAC housing under the hood.

In any event, my wife would prefer the truck had A/C...

I have a 4.0 for it out of a '94 Explorer, and it has a compressor.

Haven't spent a lot of time poking around under the dash and hood, but I'm curious what might be involved in getting A/C installed and working.

First gen Rangers are pretty rare in the junkyard. Seems the easiest thing would be to get the housing and as many parts as possible off one if I can find one.

If not, any chance I could swap in the A/C housing from a later model Ranger?

Are 1st gen Explorers potential donors? They're a dime a dozen in the junkyard.

I have FSMs for the '87 Ranger and '94 Explorer, so that should help to a degree.
 


kimcrwbr1

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Look for a first gen B-II also for parts?
 

doorgunner

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I installed a Vintage-Air aftermarket unit in my Ranger.....I used the original compressor----it lasted a year.....

I ordered a new compressor and will flush the system/install the compressor before it gets hot(ter) down here....

$750 + $40 shipping
 

chrisser

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I installed a Vintage-Air aftermarket unit in my Ranger.....I used the original compressor----it lasted a year.....

I ordered a new compressor and will flush the system/install the compressor before it gets hot(ter) down here....

$750 + $40 shipping
Appreciate the info, but that's almost what I paid for the whole truck!
 

chrisser

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Look for a first gen B-II also for parts?
Thanks for that.

Your post made me do a search for adding a/c to a B2. Narrows down the results since the B2 was replaced by the Explorer, so all the search results were relevant to my 1G Ranger.

Found this thread: http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88340

About using a 93+ A/C in an '86. Using 94+ gives you a system built for R134, which works great with my existing compressor.

93/94+ Rangers are all over my local yard, and most seem to have A/C, so I should be able to find what I need.
 

Bird76Mojo

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Sorry for the double post, as I meant to add my question to this thread instead of the other one..

Hate to drag up an old thread but it seems to make sense to compile all of the info in one place..

I'm planning on adding A/C to my 1987 Ranger when doing a 1992 Thunderbird 5.0 engine swap. The complete engine and ALL accessories are being shipped to me now. I have the A/C - heater plenum on the firewall from a parts truck that I have, as well as the condenser, hard lines, etc... But it's an 88/89 model. I'm sure they'll swap just fine, but I'm sure I'll have to trim down the plenum for the V8 valve cover. Still not sure if it'll all fit or not though.. Can't say I've ever seen a V8 swapped first gen with A/C still in it. I'll have to buy a dash control to turn on the A/C system also, as my truck is heater only.

From what I'm seeing on Ebay, the heater and A/C control seems to just have a push switch that's only a two wire connection. Seems simple enough to make my own harness. I'm guessing that I could incorporate the high pressure switch and the original compressor connector into a hand built harness that kicks the compressor on using a relay. I know this wouldn't include a Wide Open Throttle cutout but I don't see that being a huge hazard or problem myself. Just push the switch to cycle the compressor off. Does anyone have any thoughts or experience with this? Any hazards to be aware of?

Here's a picture of the dash control which shows the back of the A/C switch showing two prongs for the connector, so it seems simple enough..








GB :)
 

85_Ranger4x4

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En lieu of the WOT cutout relay I am going to put a temp sensor in the radiator so if it gets so warm the A/C will cut out to help it cool down like if someone is not in the truck or isn't me driving it.

IIRC the wiring for the dash button is tied into the dash harness, it is just one single pin gray connector that comes out with the wiring going to the blower motor stuff. There is a harness that plugs into that and goes the switches and compressor, all in the engine bay and fairly easy to extract.

The first gen condenser has both lines on the passenger side so if your compressor is on that side of the engine it would have less across the engine plumbing. The second gen has one hose going to each side of the truck so if the compressor is on the drivers side it would have less plumbing. Mounting should be similar, with my Explorer belt system the compressor is on the DS so I am planning on a second gen condenser.

I will need custom hoses made, your results may vary since your engine is similar vintage to your truck. If nothing else different RBV engines had compressors mounted on either side of the engine so you might be able to turn up hoses the right length.

For valve cover to plenum fit, low valve covers and a body lift will go a long ways.
 
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Bird76Mojo

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I can't go with a body lift as this is a 2wd street truck. I'll just have to pull the plenum and A/C parts and see what the fitment looks like and if it's possible to trim them while keeping it all functional. If not, it'll have to get an aftermarket under-dash unit. But all of that is dependent on the engine actually fitting with the stock compressor in place. It's not looking good as I believe it's mounted down low on the drivers side, where the Ranger's steering box will be. A/C may end up a longer term project after I get it running and driving. I'm still thinking that making my own relay harness for the compressor/pressure switch/WOT cutout makes the most sense, but who knows. More reading to do I guess..

From the sound of using a temp sensor in the radiator, it seems to me that your A/C system would hardly ever function correctly, as it warms up the truck so much to begin with. Choosing the right temperature range on your sensor will surely be a trial and error thing, and it may be pretty difficult to find the right range..

GB :)
 

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Back in the day people did swaps and kept the A/C, not many of those guys around anymore but it is possible.

Plan was to get the truck good and hot and with a laser thermometer from work see what it is running for temp at a certain spot in the radiator... the shoot a bit above that for the sensor temp.
 

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