1989 Ranger AC conversion

[Atomik]

Hi,

We just bought a 1989 Ranger XLT and we love this truck! We are going to be converting to the R-134 and I have a question about the orifice tube and expansion valve. It is a 2.3L 5speed.

Does the compressor have a liquid line or an orifice tube?

Anyone know which expansion valve we should use?

Thanks! Any tips appreciated

 

[exbass94]

An AC system will have either an orifice tube OR an expansion valve. It never has both. Your truck has an orifice tube. The liquid line is the line that goes from the condenser to the evaporator and it has the orifice tube inside it.

 

[PanamaExpat]

It is a bit surprising you have one that is that old that has not been converted already. Are you sure it has not been done?

 

[4x4junkie]

I used the Red orifice tube when I did the conversion on my '90 (2.9 V6). Blows 38-40° (but rises to around 50 if idling still for awhile, which I've read a variable orifice tube helps cool a little better while at idle but gives up a little while moving).

It is a bit surprising you have one that is that old that has not been converted already. Are you sure it has not been done?

There's quite a few trucks around that aren't converted.
If it works (like a buddy's '93 does), why do anything? But when it breaks/leaks, yeah time to convert.

 

[ngzcaz]

It is a bit surprising you have one that is that old that has not been converted already. Are you sure it has not been done?

When I first got my 89 XLT approx 6 years ago it had the old stuff in it. I bought a retrofit kit and had the old stuff drained by a garage with the machine. Chances are they wouldn't charge you a lot since the old stuff is really expensive and they don't throw it away if you know what I mean. I put the retrofit kit in ( there was a video that came with it ) piece of cake, very simple and it throws surprising good cold air. And that was before they came out with this newer add a can stuff for " colder air ". And I haven't a need to add more R-134 yet. Just don't vent it in the atmosphere, there's enough junk up there already.

 

[Atomik]

Thanks for all the advice, really helped. We completed the conversion and put in a new compressor, drier/accumulator, red orifice tube, new orings, and refrigerant hose. After charging, it blew 45 degrees and was nice and cold. We thought we were good to go but upon driving home, it stopped blowing cold.

We get a 5 minute blast of cold air and then it starts getting warmer. We are going to discharge the system and replace the condenser, hose assembly, and possibly the evaporator. The evaporator is going to be a tough one.

Any ideas as to why it was working and then stopped?

 

[PanamaExpat]

If that evap is anything like my 94 it is a piece of cake.

 

[chrisser]

Just don't vent it in the atmosphere, there's enough junk up there already.

I used to worry about this.

Then I found out that the "canned air" used to clean computers is R134.

I could vent every vehicle I ever owned into the atmosphere, and it wouldn't come close to all the cans of canned air I've emptied blowing dust out of my computers and servers over the years.

 

[Atomik]

That is crazy about that "canned air" for computers, had no idea

Got our parts from Rock Auto. Everything is good except for the ac hose assembly. They claim it is a direct fit for an 89 Ranger 2.3L but it does not fit and looks slightly different. Looked close in the picture. Anyone know where I can get the right one?

http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/moreinfo.php?pk=3917820

 

[porreca1]

HI I bought a 1994 Ranger 3.0 4x4 for my kid's first car...nice truck only 100K on the clock...ex government truck used in some mines around here(Utah). The truck has been retro fitted to 134, it even looks like a factory job. The guy said it "just needed a charge" well did that and it took the can, blew cold then started blowing out the expansion valve until gone and shut off by the low pressure switch. I assumed it was a clogged orifice, but reading here it is either or not both...any ideas? maybe a drier?

 

[Wild Bill]

A/C conversion

All I did was dump the oil in the compressor, vacuum for about 6 hours then put the oil and 134 in and it works like a charm. Don't know if I got lucky or what but whatever works...- WB

 

[OLD WRENCH]

you may be freezing a evaporator. This happens when to compressor doesn't shut down when the low side pressure goes below 30 or so. It just keeps getting colder till the evap freezes all the water around it rather than dripping it on the ground.If that is the problem its an electrical problem not a refrigeration one. Old Wrench