AC Charge

[Sblattenberger]

I have a 1991 ford ranger and I need to charge the AC I was wondering how to go about it. From my understanding it uses R12 but they only sell R134.
Thanks ya’ll for your time

 

[CrabGuy]

You'll pay through the nose for R12 here, if you can even find it but it still can be purchased in Mexico. Unfortunately it's illegal to bring it across the border. A well done R12>134a conversion works pretty well but should be done by a reputable shop. It usually involves new hoses, dryer, flush and vac, and a larger condensor to make it work well. At least with 134a you can do top offs from the widely available recharge kits. I sold an R12 AC manifold set to an old Porsche owner...he thought he had found the holy grail until he tried buying the R12.

 

[DaveTS]

You’re right—your ‘91 Ranger originally came with R12 refrigerant, which is now mostly phased out. To recharge it, you’ll need to convert the system to R134a. It involves replacing some parts like the accumulator, O-rings, and possibly the compressor, followed by adding R134a fittings. You can get a conversion kit, which makes it easier. Once that’s done, you can charge it with R134a. Just make sure to vacuum out the old refrigerant first. Good luck!

 

[superj]

you can also keep everything stock and use r-290, or its inexpensive and easily found common named brother, propane.

if i have a system that runs r12 anymore, i just buy the little green propane tanks from walmart that come in 4 packs, and use that. i had to make a hose adapter to connect the tanks but after that, it was just like using normal freon. the ac blows in the mid 30s at the vent here in the south texas humid summers. (94 degrees on the wall thermometer but the humidity makes it feel like 112 is fairly normal)

 

[mikkelstuff]

I use the propane based refrigerants in my originally R-12 '75 Ranchero such as Duracool, Envirosafe, and such. Works well. The propane molecules are larger and less likely to leak out of old A/C hoses.

Remember too that R-12 systems used mineral oil as a compressor lubricant which also circulates around the A/C system. Mineral oil may well be compatible with R-134a but most of the newer R-134a systems come lubricated with PAG oil. PAG is definitely incompatible with R-12 (not that anyone can afford R-12 even if you can find it).