Installing AC in a non AC 1st gen ranger? Have a 302/c4 swap

[09Stang]

Hi everyone, I thought I may post on here since I can't find any real in depth knowledge on this subject.

My dad and I built an 83 ranger into a race truck. It's got a stock 302 from blueprint, a non AC CVF serpentine kit (with power steering). It has a street built C4 auto from TCI.

My dad and I have been wanting to do an air conditioning swap in it with as little headache as possible. Truck has no radio from the factory or ac from the factory. Any tips or knowledge on how to install this would be great! Any cooling upgrades needed as well would also be appreciated if required

 

[19Walt93]

I used a Vintage Air heat, a/c, defrost system on my 93 because it had no heater box at all. It cools and heats OK but the defroster isn't great because it uses only recirculated air. If you have a factory heater box, I'd get one of their kits with the evaporator that hangs under the dash like a 60's Mustang. That way you'll still have an effective defroster and the installation will be easier. I used fox Mustang front drive brackets and pulleys with the Ford Performance 351 front bracket but I found out afterwards that Vintage has a decent looking compressor bracket, too.

 

[dvdswan]

Welcome to the site.

 

[svtcards]

I used a Vintage Air heat, a/c, defrost system on my 93 because it had no heater box at all. It cools and heats OK but the defroster isn't great because it uses only recirculated air. If you have a factory heater box, I'd get one of their kits with the evaporator that hangs under the dash like a 60's Mustang. That way you'll still have an effective defroster and the installation will be easier. I used fox Mustang front drive brackets and pulleys with the Ford Performance 351 front bracket but I found out afterwards that Vintage has a decent looking compressor bracket, too.View attachment 78229View attachment 78230

What did u use for a fan and radiator?And did u make that shroud for it?

 

[Uncle Gump]

Let's discuss adding A/C to my 1st gen V8 truck that never had it to begin with..

Quick run down: 1987 standard cab Ranger, originally a 2.0 5spd with NO A/C. I swapped in a 1992 Thunderbird 5.0 that came with an A/C compressor but it was mounted low on the drivers side and would have hit the steering gear box. It had to be removed. I also cut the lower half off of that cast...

www.therangerstation.com

Bird did this on his first gen... not saying you want to do it exactly this way but the thread has lots of useful info.

 

[19Walt93]

What did u use for a fan and radiator?And did u make that shroud for it?

I used a belt driven 15" Derale flex fan, a Griffin universal radiator that I mounted inside the core support after I cut it for clearance. I built the shroud from a Summit Racing kit. Idling in traffic with the a/c on at 90 degrees, the temp gauge will go up about to the middle.

 

[09Stang]

I used a Vintage Air heat, a/c, defrost system on my 93 because it had no heater box at all. It cools and heats OK but the defroster isn't great because it uses only recirculated air. If you have a factory heater box, I'd get one of their kits with the evaporator that hangs under the dash like a 60's Mustang. That way you'll still have an effective defroster and the installation will be easier. I used fox Mustang front drive brackets and pulleys with the Ford Performance 351 front bracket but I found out afterwards that Vintage has a decent looking compressor bracket, too.View attachment 78229View attachment 78230

So vintage air can supply the hanging evaporator? My heater box and core is great with heating. And can I put in the evaporator without removing the dash? Also what can be done to modify the cooling if necessary? I have an L&L products radiator with a big low profile electric fan w/o a shroud. Stock drivers side water pump as well

 

[19Walt93]

You should look at their website, they offer lots of choices, the underdash unit looks like this:

 

[09Stang]

You should look at their website, they offer lots of choices, the underdash unit looks like this:
View attachment 78264

Thanks man I'm gonna look into it later this week!

 

[19Walt93]

You're welcome. My a/c quit and I found that the front seal on my Napa reman compressor is leaking- after 2 years and about 5000 miles so I'm stripping down the compressor I got with the brackets, planning to reseal it and install it. I figure I'm better off rebuilding a Ford part than trusting another dubious reman.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

You're welcome. My a/c quit and I found that the front seal on my Napa reman compressor is leaking- after 2 years and about 5000 miles so I'm stripping down the compressor I got with the brackets, planning to reseal it and install it. I figure I'm better off rebuilding a Ford part than trusting another dubious reman.

Good idea. I had been replacing compressors about once a year because the only thing I could find was cheapos from autozone. Finally got a decent one online and it seems to be holding up.