R-134A retrofit

[4x4junkie]

Update:

So I replaced pretty much everything in the A/C system except the two coils and pressure cycling switch:

New Visteon FS-6 compressor ($$$)
All new barrier hoses & O-rings (suction hose was $$)
New accumulator/dryer
New red orifice tube
32oz. R-134a + 10 oz. PAG lubricant

To my delight, the system was completely spotless inside when I opened it up (unplugging the compressor clutch coil immediately after the A/C quit working made all the difference here). All I had to do was run some solvent through the coils to flush out the old mineral oil (which also came out nice & clean).
It also turns out... the '90 condenser is a nice large serpentine-flow unit, and works exceptionally well with R-134a. I stuffed some thick foam rubber insulation strips (made for window air conditioners) around the gap between the condenser and the radiator so the fan could pull more air through it.

Definitely was worth fixing here in the hot southwest. Too bad summer's now over though lol. (although it's still been pretty warm lately, so I've managed to get some use out of it )

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

glad its working well for you. my condenser already has foam between it and the radiator to direct airflow...wonder why yours was missing.

what was the ambient temp when that pic was taken?

 

[RangerMan64]

How much did everything end up costing? I will need to be doing the same

 

[4x4junkie]

It was in the lo-mid 90s outside, pretty warm (IIRC, news said 93° that day). It'll definitely turn you into a popsicle no matter what after it's been running for a bit lol.

Dunno on the foam. It already had a two-core Explorer radiator in it when I got it, someone I guess didn't bother putting it back in when they installed it (or maybe it had rotted?).

As for cost, I think it was around $650 for all the parts, plus another 100&something for evacuation & charging (the compressor was NEW though... almost twice the cost of a reman).

 

[Ozwynn]

so off topic and i will take it to PM with MAKG if it comes to that. I want to put the V8 from my Suburban into my Land Cruiser. right now the AC does not work on either. how do i mate the 350's compressor to the toy's A/C everything else?

 

[MAKG]

Ideally, you would like to have a complete matched set of refrigeration components, meaning keep the LandCruiser's original compressor (or one like it). This will almost certainly require fabricating a bracket.

Alternatively, you may be able to adapt the GM compressor into the system by making your own compressor lines that have Toyota fittings on one end and GM fittings on the other. But make sure both systems use the same type of expansion valve setup or you may run into reliability and/or efficiency problems.

 

[RangerMan64]

My system is completely empty just taking up space. Can I legally just remove all the A/C Components? Would I need to change anything electrically?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

a/c isnt an emissions device so you can do with it as you please. you can even turn it into on-board air

no need to change anything electrically...might tape up the ends of the plugs to keep crap out and tuck them away from hot or moving parts.

 

[RangerMan64]

I think I saw an AC line going into the heater box...How would I remove this?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

theres two going in there, for the evaporator. you can either try and remove the whole evaporator, or you can just hack the lines off right at the HVAC box.

 

[RangerMan64]

And the evaporator is somewhere in the dash, correct?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

no, its inside the big "bulge" of the HVAC box that sticks into the engine compartment. those lines you see running into there stop like 1" after they enter the box...the evap. is right there.

 

[RangerMan64]

Oh OK. Is there any point in having that large box? Do I need it? If I still need it could I swap for a box from a non air conditioned Ranger?

 

[Ozwynn]

a/c isnt an emissions device so you can do with it as you please. you can even turn it into on-board air

no need to change anything electrically...might tape up the ends of the plugs to keep crap out and tuck them away from hot or moving parts.

this isn't always true, according to my shop manual for my Suburban my A/C compressor also doubles as the air injector pump (smog pump?)

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

how? the a/c is a sealed system....two compressors in one housing maybe?

but regardless, i know this isnt the case with any RBVs ever made...at least in the US.

EDIT: rangerman, yes you could get the HVAC box from a non-a/c truck and clean up the engine compartment a little.