Ease of adding A/C to C1500

[ASJT3]

Hey guys,

I'm wondering how easy it is to add A/C to my C1500 that currently has none. I have access to a junkyard with plenty of C/K's to pick parts from.

Just wondering thanks,

Alex

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Hey guys,

I'm wondering how easy it is to add A/C to my C1500 that currently has none. I have access to a junkyard with plenty of C/K's to pick parts from.

Just wondering thanks,

Alex

What year and what kind of refridgent?
For R-12 system you need to be R-12 certified.
If it has no gas you need to find out why no gas.
If it has none it needs vacumed/pumped down and the proper amount of oil and gas added.
Requires a good vacumn pumpm and a set of AC gauges to do the job right.

[ASJT3]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

What year and what kind of refridgent?
For R-12 system you need to be R-12 certified.
If it has no gas you need to find out why no gas.
If it has none it needs vacumed/pumped down and the proper amount of oil and gas added.
Requires a good vacumn pumpm and a set of AC gauges to do the job right.

I mean add the entire A/C system.... If I pulled the parts from an R12 truck I would just do an R134a retrofit.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

I mean add the entire A/C system.... If I pulled the parts from an R12 truck I would just do an R134a retrofit.

If you have R12 system you must use conversion R134 kit...........

with no rrefrigerent in the system this must be leak tested...I use nitrogen gas 200psi. then look for the bubbles when spraying down the components for leaks if the pressure drops..if or when leaks are gone use a vacuum pump and hold vacuum for an hour to be sure all the moisture is removed. then add 1 can of the r134 with conversion oil and see if it runs..

the pressures with a R12 component system will be much higher than a system designed for R134...

low side will be 45psi high side 300 psi @ 85DEG F air temp.

since this is the case most compressors designed for R12 don't last all that long with R134 refrigerent....

I still have some R12 ...no use for it ..illegal for me to sell it ..

[ASJT3]

Originally Posted by j cAT

I still have some R12 ...no use for it ..illegal for me to sell it ..

Is that so...


I still dont think you guys understand. My truck has NO A/C. No compressor, accumulator, A/C controls. I'm assuming there is also no evap and that I need to pick up a radiator with an internal condenser. Just wondering how complex it is to add air conditioning. It is just a matter of picking up all the parts (like I said, junkyard) and wiring it up? No ECM adjustsments needed right?

Thanks,

Alex

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Is that so...


I still dont think you guys understand. My truck has NO A/C. No compressor, accumulator, A/C controls. I'm assuming there is also no evap and that I need to pick up a radiator with an internal condenser. Just wondering how complex it is to add air conditioning. It is just a matter of picking up all the parts (like I said, junkyard) and wiring it up? No ECM adjustsments needed right?

Thanks,

Alex

Well now we are getting it.
But.
You forget to give up the year of truck.
Accident or on purpose?

To add AC to a non AC truck.
Lot of work and lot of parts.
The complete AC/heater assembley under dash.
Control panel and wiring.
Compressor and mounting brackets and belts and pulleys and hoses and external ac/heater housing blower motors and relays and wiring and condenser and bigger rad for AC.
And remember Junk yards parts may be worn out/bad/untested /system left open and damaged before you get them.

If you want a good change over some AC parts places make a add on kit for AC.
All of the stuff you need and new good parts.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Is that so...


I still dont think you guys understand. My truck has NO A/C. No compressor, accumulator, A/C controls. I'm assuming there is also no evap and that I need to pick up a radiator with an internal condenser. Just wondering how complex it is to add air conditioning. It is just a matter of picking up all the parts (like I said, junkyard) and wiring it up? No ECM adjustsments needed right?

Thanks,

Alex

years ago I remember ac units made to fit vehicles with no ac. had its own controls.

I agree with mt 2500 that to strip parts off another vehicle and then the expense... why ?

you think this is easy I guess.

[ASJT3]

Thanks for the replies guys, the year is 1990 btw, and it already has the compressor mounting bracket with a dummy pulley in place of the compressor.

I guess this is a little more work than I thought. Might hold off for a while. I've had lots of success with junkyard parts in the past, the one I use has a constantly rotating inventory so most trucks aren't on the lot for more than a week, I see lots of almost-new parts on them frequently. Plus its dirt cheap so I'd be willing to risk paying around $50 for all the parts initially from the junkyard and then troubleshooting if any problems arise.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Thanks for the replies guys, the year is 1990 btw, and it already has the compressor mounting bracket with a dummy pulley in place of the compressor.

I guess this is a little more work than I thought. Might hold off for a while. I've had lots of success with junkyard parts in the past, the one I use has a constantly rotating inventory so most trucks aren't on the lot for more than a week, I see lots of almost-new parts on them frequently. Plus its dirt cheap so I'd be willing to risk paying around $50 for all the parts initially from the junkyard and then troubleshooting if any problems arise.

Yes a little more work 20 hrs if all parts are good and 30 or hrs more if you have to replace a bad AC heater box or evaporator or a lot of other stuff.

Also illegal to work on R-12 system unless you are R-12 certified

But on a 20 year old truck getting good AC parts is going to be very hard to do.
A lot of them along them years did not make it 5 years let alone 20 years.

I would check some AC parts places for a AC add on kit.
You do not see them much any more but they still should be around.
Try Arizona Air AC kits .com
With the compressor bracket being on it does the truck have a ac /heater unit under dash or just heater?
Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

[ASJT3]

Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure if it has both an ac/heater box. Haven't pulled apart the dash yet.

I'll hold off on this project til this summer when I get out of school but I'll definitely let you all know how it goes!

-alex

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by ASJT3

Thanks for the advice, I'm not sure if it has both an ac/heater box. Haven't pulled apart the dash yet.

I'll hold off on this project til this summer when I get out of school but I'll definitely let you all know how it goes!

-alex

Does any thing on the heater control panel say AC?
Doest it have any AC hoses or lines or fittings to evaporator under hood?
Is there a ac condenser in front of rad?
If so it may already have ac on it with just the compressor removed.

[jdmccright]

I would think that the hardest thing would be if they had different airboxes under the dash for A/C versus non-A/C trucks. That would need to be swapped out, along with the controls, vacuum control lines (or is it that fluorescent electonic head unit?), electrics, wiring harnesses and route to fuse block.

Then there's the plumbing, accumulator, condenser, A/C on high idle relay controls, and those harnesses, pressure sensors, etc. Use all new o-rings.

Technically, if the system doesn't have any R-12 in it anymore then it's not an R-12 system...convert it and be free. I do not discount the quality workmanship and warranty of a real shop, but evacuating and charging can be done for fairly cheap by yourself. I do mine on my own with no trouble.

Haynes (I know I know) puts out a decent manual on A/C repair...plenty informative and good troubleshooting, plus refrigerant and oil capacities listed for every car and truck, $15. Decent gauge set is about $40. Vacuum pump $100 or so. Conversion kit $12. R-134a refrigerant cans are $10-$20 each...you'd need 3. System oil is $15 for a whole system.

If you can get good parts cheap (though I would opt for new hoses and accumulator that are compatible with R-134a) then it might be worthwhile.