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Ranger A/C Performance Improvement


Kadams87

Active Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2012
Messages
40
Age
37
City
Crowley, Texas
Vehicle Year
1989
Transmission
Automatic
The A/C works pretty good in my 89 Ranger and I can't complain too much. It will achieve 36 at the vent on high after running for about 30-45 minutes depending on outside temps. Living in Texas and "Loving the Summer Heat", I couldn't help but wonder though how much efficiency I was loosing to under hood temps, especially with the box right next to the passengers head and exhaust manifold. So began my googling and examining of the situation. My conclusion was to apply foil wrapped insulation to the box, I ended up doing the whole low side of the system to the head of the compressor.

My setup is a swapped 4.0 with a FS10 Compressor, 4.0 Condenser, Explorer blower motor, Adjustable low side pressure switch, and a very clean evaporator. System is charged with R-134a, The condenser and lines came from a 134a equipped ranger, Compressor and accumulator are new with the swap.

End result on an 85 degree day with Fan on High and vent in the MAX A/C position.

Before insulation: 15 Minutes of Driving, 40 Degrees.

After insulation: 4 Minutes of Driving, 35 Degrees with compressor cycling due to Low Side switch adjustment.

IMG_20130511_182534_247.jpg


IMG_20130511_182524_131.jpg


IMG_20130511_180748_763.jpg
 
Last edited:
Oh wow, I saw this title and thought "Oh crap, here comes another goober who thinks 35* at the vents when it's 110 out isn't good enough".

I was pleasantly surprised by the actual contents of this thread. Nice work man!
 
don't these pipes normally condense and form water droplets?
 
don't these pipes normally condense and form water droplets?

if they have ready access to hot/humid air, yes. and thats a waste of energy.
 
ahh, might do this to my a/c system then, very clever mod.
 
Oh wow, I saw this title and thought "Oh crap, here comes another goober who thinks 35* at the vents when it's 110 out isn't good enough".

I was pleasantly surprised by the actual contents of this thread. Nice work man!

Thanks, I would consider 35 at 110 very comfortable.

if they have ready access to hot/humid air, yes. and thats a waste of energy.

That was the idea, separate the components as much as possible from the "weather" under the hood. The true test will come when it actually warms up here. Idaho is having warmer weather than us for crying out loud.
 
I found using commercial fridge line insulation on the high pressure lines sure help.
It keeps the heat soaking down i think. i did my wifes car and my truck.
My truck btw is set up with 94 explorer A/C system, on a 90 degree day ill have to turn the AC off to keep from freezing.
I'll have to check the vent temps next time i drive it on a hot day
 
i would love to have freezing air, or even a engine that could tackle hills and A/C at the same time
 
Maybe it's just me, but the pics ain't showing. I think I understand from the description, but I'd like to see what you did.
 
Maybe it's just me, but the pics ain't showing. I think I understand from the description, but I'd like to see what you did.

maybe it is just you, do you also hear the crazy voices? :icon_rofl:
no really that kinda sucks
 
maybe it is just you, do you also hear the crazy voices? :icon_rofl:
no really that kinda sucks
:annoyed: :icon_confused: The voices were supposed to be a secret. They've been awfully quiet today, now I know why. Which one told you?

The pics really aren't showing up, all I see are the photobucket "this person moved or deleted this image" error message. Even tried going directly to the photobucket link. Haven't heard anyone else mention it so really wandering if it is recent (last couple hours) photobucket issue, or if I'm having some issue between me and the photobucket server. I don't think it's the latter because I'm not having issues with any other photobucket hosted images.

I really am interested because I'm in the middle of putting my '86 V8 swapped Ranger back together. It's getting A/C which I am also in process of installing, and if there are any little mods like this that I can do to increase performance now is the time to do them. Already done the insulation on the heater box, and will be putting in a Variable Orifice Valve cause it made a huge difference in the Probe I had. I can only speak for myself, but with the heat and humidity here in Middle GA (not quite as hot as Texas, but the humidity makes up for it) I'll take as cold as I can get. I work a outside in the stuff all day, so if it can make icicles on the rear view mirror during the dead summer the A/C is almost good enough.
 
Maybe it's just me, but the pics ain't showing. I think I understand from the description, but I'd like to see what you did.

they were there yesterday, it's been just recently they arent working...
 
Maybe it's just me, but the pics ain't showing. I think I understand from the description, but I'd like to see what you did.

I broke the links without knowing it but they are working now.

:annoyed: :icon_confused: The voices were supposed to be a secret. They've been awfully quiet today, now I know why. Which one told you?

The pics really aren't showing up, all I see are the photobucket "this person moved or deleted this image" error message. Even tried going directly to the photobucket link. Haven't heard anyone else mention it so really wandering if it is recent (last couple hours) photobucket issue, or if I'm having some issue between me and the photobucket server. I don't think it's the latter because I'm not having issues with any other photobucket hosted images.


I really am interested because I'm in the middle of putting my '86 V8 swapped Ranger back together. It's getting A/C which I am also in process of installing, and if there are any little mods like this that I can do to increase performance now is the time to do them. Already done the insulation on the heater box, and will be putting in a Variable Orifice Valve cause it made a huge difference in the Probe I had. I can only speak for myself, but with the heat and humidity here in Middle GA (not quite as hot as Texas, but the humidity makes up for it) I'll take as cold as I can get. I work a outside in the stuff all day, so if it can make icicles on the rear view mirror during the dead summer the A/C is almost good enough.

The problem I have had with my A/C is that the evap will freeze up if you get it too cold too fast and hold it down there, especially when the humidity is high. But if you can get it cold and hold it right on the line above freezing it will pull the humidity out faster and dry the air in the cab. That's why I put the adjustable switch in there to mess with it and get the compressor to cut where it does.

When I am on longer drives and the A/C has time to pull the humidity out I will use my "Deep Freeze" switch that bypasses the Low Side switch. That really gets the temps down. Occasionally I will have to let it warm back up so the Evap will thaw out.
 
Fyi... Refrigerant is a man-made substance, made to mimic the properties of propane.

If you want cold air, and have the nuts to drive around a bomb....

Your adjustable low side switch will be needed.
 
Fyi... Refrigerant is a man-made substance, made to mimic the properties of propane.

If you want cold air, and have the nuts to drive around a bomb....

Your adjustable low side switch will be needed.

I've had -9* out of 134 in my 95 honda civic and it's less efficient than R-12. I think I'll stick with it but then we could open the ES-12a can of worms if we wanted to. BTW...It was snowing out of the vent and there was frost.

2012-07-26_08-24-42_365.jpg
 

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