New AC for Comanche

[Manche757]

Does anyone have advice about having totally new air conditioning systen  put in a Comanche?  Vintage Air or other manufacturer.  I have 87 and with dead ac and thinking about getting an 89 that is in better shape but never had ac installed at the factory. If never had ac, is that likely to be a major problem?   Any know aproximate cost?  Evaporators fit in dash ok?

Thanks for your help!

[daking]

I'm getting ready to do the same. I'm going to buy a complete :"kit". They sell on Amazon and eBay for between ~$200 and $240. I'm going to use ~91 and up kit. Requires different compressor mount. The compressor bolts "Down" instead of "side" on the earlier MJ/XJs. The newer bolting method makes it easier to install compressor with electric fan conversion.  

 

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/351500259842

 

"Jeep Cherokee 1991-1993 4.0L Full AC A/C Repair Kit with New Compressor & Clutch"

 

 

I just re read your question:

 

I'd visit a salvage yard and pull a complete system. 

 

You should see if the evaporator is at least on the jeep that came with no factory air.  Look at the firewall passenger side for 2 un used pipes, near the hot water pipes. If there is at least an evap, then the hard part is good.

 

Personally, If I wanted a jeep with AC, and and found a Jeep with no factory AC, I'd keep looking.  

[Sevik]

you can also try to find Mopar 82200940 kit. that is original dealer installed AC kit for Cherokees. Should be bolt on, but missing few parts (compressor and something else) and hard to find. Saw it on eBay sometime ago for $600 and googling the kit gives the link to that eBay sale (sold) or my build thread on a local forum :) 

[Marine1Texas]

If you have a truck that did not come with a/c you will need two extra parts.

1. you need the HVAC box that can fit the evaporator, the heat only HVAC will not fit Evaporator. (my 1987 MJ I had to install new HVAC box from the old heat only)

2. You will need the controller that has a/c. This one can be done with a work around, but much easier just to get the right controller. (I did the work around by a toggle switch)

 

Those parts on top of the Condenser, Drier, Expansion Valve, Evaporator, Compressor, Cooling Fan, High and low hoses.

you will need a relay and at least 14 gauge wire to hook up everything up.

 

I did not buy a kit, however if you do, you will need extra parts on top of the kit.

[Manche757]

Thanks for your help.  The 87 Comanche I have does have ac installed (not working) but I want to replace all of it.  An 89 I am considering never had air.  Rather than purchasing rebuilt system from back when or left over unsold  from that era, I am thinking about new built equipment to fit old cars/trucks. A muscle car restoration company told me about Vintage Air.   vintageair.com      Has anyone used their ac and know whether there is a problem with the evaporator fitting under the dash (or any of it for that matter).  Any other companies like that out there that has a fond spot for Comanches?   Thought the system might work better and be more reliable than those of 30 years ago. Might be wrong on that.  Any recommendations for Comanche mechanics in eastern Virginia?

 

Nick

[Manche757]

DaKing,

I checked the link for the compressor kit. Thanks for the link.   Is the smaller piece a shrader valve?  Will check to see if they have controls and evaporators

[Minuit]

If you're talking about the rectangle shaped thing that's the expansion valve at the firewall where the evaporator's lines come out.

 

[Manche757]

Noriyori,

Where would I find a new HVAC box big enough to hold the heater core and ac evaporation?

Say hello to Yoritomo from the Comanche Club.

[Marine1Texas]

Manche757,

The heater core is not located in the same part of the box as the evaporator.  The right hand half of the box is a little larger for the a/c and smaller for the heat only unit. The Heater core mounts in same place. I got mine from Akula69 on Comanche Club. He had multiple parts for the MJ. I am not sure now, but he had more then one HVAC box left last year. The HVAC box was same for all years of MJ heat only or with a/c, also same as the XJ so you should be able to find it.

 

My first MJ I used the AC/heater Underdash Unit. it worked great. so cold it spit ice cubes out at you if you turned it up to much. The problem is mounting it. Either you have to remove half of your HVAC box to hide it under the dash, but then you have not defroster. They do have units that have a connection so you can add defroster. Most MJ owners say it is ugly and will give you much slack for it. But hey it is you truck and business that is why I give the info out. If your good at making your own a/c lines, you could mount a under dash unit behind the seat and have it blow straight up. I thought about that since I have the two seat not the bench. but bench seat would get in the way.

 

I no longer have this installed, I did the full HVAC a/c system, but it looked like this

 

http://www.vitha.us/124051.jpg