Gut the A/C or not?

[AZFX4]

So I'm in the middle of my 4.0 swap in my 1990 b2, it has a chop top and will mostly be used for trail running. Ive been thinking about gutting the A/C system, but not sure if I want to. It's never had A/C so I don't think I would miss it. But it might be nice for the AZ summers. I don't know how good it would work with no top anyway. Is there a way to get rid of the A/C and keep the heater?

 

[Ozwynn]

I don't know about that. But I can tell you that when I lived in AZ and had a fox body convertible I never once turned on the ac....... Not til I moved to michigan did I ever use it...... Fyi.... Ac still works good with the drop top down.

 

[4x4junkie]

I had some serious thoughts of ditching the A/C equipment on mine after it quit working a few months after I got it (would get rid of a good 50-60lbs maybe)... I quickly changed that tune after 250 miles of misery through California's central valley on a hot & muggy 105°F day (this combined with smoke in the air from a dozen distant wildfires too).

I fixed everything and did the conversion to R-134a freon at the same time. One of the best (non-offroad-related) investments that I've put into it.

I should add though that I also don't have the top chopped on mine yet. You'd want to have it enclosed for sure if the A/C is to work effectively (get a soft-top for it).

Oh, and the heater is a separate system, so you could keep that if you want (might need a different blower housing without the evap core in it though).

 

[AZFX4]

I have a semi-sift top. It's a canvas tarp that is mounted to the roof that I can drape down over the back. The blower housing is all one unit for the ac and heater I think. So not sure how that would work.

 

[exbass94]

If you want to get rid of the AC just leave the evaporator in the heater box and get rid of everything else. You'll still have heat. Personally I can't live without AC and would never get rid of it. It would be pretty uselss in a chop top or convertible with the top off though.

 

[4x4junkie]

The blower housing is all one unit for the ac and heater I think. So not sure how that would work.

You would replace the blower housing (under the hood) with one from a non-A/C truck (the heater core is inside on the opposite side of the firewall).

 

[mp3deviant721]

I'd keep the A/C. You never know when you'll decide to use it.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I ditched the AC stuff when I did my V8 swap (actually I had already thinned it down to just the box by then) It was missing the condensor when I got it and I yanked stuff (compressor, lines and evaporator) as they got in my way doing other things.

It also really opens up the engine bay, it is far easier to work on my 302 without the A/C heater box than it was the 2.8 with it. I forget what the JY got for a non-A/C heaterbox but it wasn't much. Aside from changing a stud to a hole on the bottom of my box (donar was an '83 I think) it was a very simple bolt on deal. On my Ranger the blower bolts on the housing, I am 99% sure a BII would be the same way. My original blower had a howl when it first started so I used the blower off the donar too.

With the opening back window as long as I keep it moving it isn't bad (it gets 100+ here along with the good old midwestern humidity)

Actually for my 2 mile commute I prefer my Ranger to my '02 F-150 because:

a. The A/C isn't catching up until I am home.
b. With the opening rear window I can get air moving through the cab much quicker.

 

[Ozwynn]

Then there is something wrong with your a/c. Even in my bigrig it gets instantly cold. But I live in michigan where a/c is a gotta have so it gets regular maintenance.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Then there is something wrong with your a/c. Even in my bigrig it gets instantly cold. But I live in michigan where a/c is a gotta have so it gets regular maintenance.

It is a three minute trip, it is putting out cold air but hasn't come close to getting the black truck that has been sitting uncovered in the sun all day cooled off yet. (gravel parking lot so I can't leave the windows open either)

Most of that trip is with the window open as I try to vent the cab to just breathe. Having a cab where I can open it up and get a direct flow of outside air across me greatly helps in the initial cooldown.

Down here it gets over 100 a couple days to maybe a week each summer, lots of time all over in the 90's and humidity that can just about support aquatic life, I don't consider A/C a gotta have. Sure it is nice, but I can get along without it as long as I don't have to deal with stop and go traffic. It gets frickin cold here too, defroster still defrosts ok without it.

Of course, everybody is different when it comes to temperature too.

 

[AZFX4]

Well the A/C hasnt worked since ive owned the thing so its not like I would be missing anything. I usually run it in the summer with no doors also and its not too bad.

 

[disciplerocks]

AC=On Board Air. End of story.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

AC=On Board Air. End of story.

All you need for that is the compressor.

The condenser in front of the rad is dead weight and so is the bulky A/C heaterbox/evaporator that is constantly in the way.

 

[Will]

Need a way to oil the compressor.

 

[4.0B2]

AC=On Board Air. End of story.

this.. if i didn't use mine i would convert mine to OBA. but my gf would kill me if i didn't have ac. its one of the best OBA systems you can have on a rig.. its faster than most you'll buy and costs less in most occasions.

i'd keep it tho.. b/c seriously, gutting it won't really save you THAT much weight or anything... just keep it there for when you wanna use it.