Ford Ranger AC

[Sweersa]

I have a 1997 Ford Ranger XLT, 2.3L. On the inside I have all of the A/C buttons and knobs, the heat works and the blowers for the air conditioning works fine. We thought it was broken when the air wasn't cold but it turns out under the hood the A/C unit is missing.

Were Rangers really sold like this or did one of the previous owners take it out or something? Is it expensive to purchase an OEM A/C unit?

Thanks.

 

[97RangerXLT]

is just the compressor missing? or is all of the hoses and condenser/evaporator missing as well?

could possibly be that your truck was not equiped w/ ac, but I would think the XLT trim would include it... (my 97 XLT w/ 4.0 has it)

Maybe a previous owner removed it in stead of spending the money to fix it.

If you have to replace all of the components, your best bet is to go to a junkyard. if it is just the compressor, you will spend probably 200 for the compressor itself, then you will need to replace the accumulator/dryer and have the system evacuated before you charge it.

anyways, I would replace all teh seals while you are in there.

If you do not do any of the work yourself, you are gonna pay a bit...

AJ

 

[Sweersa]

I am not sure if that is all that is missing, I will take a picture of it later and post a link because I am not very knowledgeable of such things really.

edit: Here is the picture. Doesn't look link any other hardware is going to that area where the unit is missing. Please let me know what you think. Looks like you are very knowledgeable about vehicles and such.

 

[jeffy56]

A/C Compressor missing

It looks like the compressor is missing. Maybe one or more hoses. I see what looks like a condenser unit in front of the radiator (aluminum).

If you R & R it, have it leak checked and remember a new thermo fan clutch. Many people forget about that.

 

[AllanD]

I am not sure if that is all that is missing, I will take a picture of it later and post a link because I am not very knowledgeable of such things really.

edit: Here is the picture. Doesn't look link any other hardware is going to that area where the unit is missing. Please let me know what you think. Looks like you are very knowledgeable about vehicles and such.

Ok, now take a picture of the passenger side firewall.

AD

 

[97RangerXLT]

looks like he took the hoses out too. does it still have the condenser? (will look like a nother radiator in front of the trucks radiator) also, if you can, get a shot of the passenger side of the engine compartment. this will show where the hoses go into the dash, andhopefully you still have the evaporator...

but If I were to guess, you are going to shell out some serious coin to get the A/C going again...

 

[97RangerXLT]

Ok, now take a picture of the passenger side firewall.

AD

yeah, what he said

AJ

 

[srteach]

I had a 96 that didn't have Power Steering. When I put PS on it, it looked just like that. The mount for the PS is also the mount for the A/C.
If you don't have a condenser or other parts, maybe previous owner added Power steer.

 

[Sweersa]

yeah, what he said

AJ

Definitely, I will take a pic of the passenger side and around the radiator. Nice Ranger by the way, I saw the link in your sig, looks like it rolled out of the factory yesterday.

It is late and dark so I will post some pics tomorrow in the good day light.

edit: Front passenger.



Radiator.

 

[Sweersa]

bump

 

[Ranger-92XLT]

Can't really tell if there's a condensor in front of your radiator from that pic, but it definitely looks like your "heater box" will accept the A/C accumulator. I would bet that the previous owner removed the a/c because otherwise your heater box would be smaller (that's the way my '92 is at least; I pulled the non-working A/C and my setup looks very similar to yours - i.e. no compressor but big a/c heater box and all).

 

[militarydave]

Its missing the A/C Compressor (with clutch) and dryer. looks like it has the condenser but no hoses? my guess is that the previous owner took it off and just threw new belts on it.

-dave

 

[AllanD]

Nope the holes in the evaporator box are the "blanked off" type seen on late Gen3 trucks

That truck either never had A/C or someone who really knew their shit removed it so well that I'm sure they could go for a walk in new fallen snow without leaving tracks.

AD

 

[97RangerXLT]

Nope the holes in the evaporator box are the "blanked off" type seen on late Gen3 trucks

That truck either never had A/C or someone who really knew their shit removed it so well that I'm sure they could go for a walk in new fallen snow without leaving tracks.

AD

yeah, gotta agree w/ Allan on this one. looking at the bug splattered on your radiator (left side) tells me you do not have the condenser either.

A/C on this truck is going to require all of the hardware and probably the wire harness for the compressor. might be cheaper to trade it for a truck w/ a/c.

But if you have a friend who is mechanically inclined and you can get a donor truck for all you need...you might be able to pull it off. but it is going to cost some bucks..

AJ

 

[Sweersa]

Gotcha, oh well, bit of a bummer but I don't mind rolling down windows. If I ever have the opportunity to take a working system out of a donor truck I will take it. I just thought it was unusual to have all of the buttons and knobs for AC and not actually have it.

Thank you all so much for the help and advice.