camjeep3 Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 my truck did not come with AC and i wish it did. i will be replacing the engine soon with an engine that has an AC compressor(?) on it already. my question is what else will i need to complete the swap. i have a friend who is qualifed to work on AC and charge it for me, so thats not a problem. Thanks Cam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 You will need to remove the dashboard to install a cooling coil (evaporator) in the heater box, and you'll need to replace the dashboard HVAC controls with the control unit and vacuum lines out of an XJ or MJ that had a/c. If your vehicle doesn't already have an auxiliary electric fan, you'll also need the aux fan, larger radiator, and aux fan controls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 2, 2008 Share Posted June 2, 2008 Yup. Everything associated with the A/C needs to swap over. All the piping, controls, etc. It's sorta a pain in the butt. Plus you never know the condition of the junkyard parts. A tiny hole can cause all sorts of hassle. At least you can get a pressurization check-out for free. 8) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted June 2, 2008 Author Share Posted June 2, 2008 sounds like a chore... I need to see if its worth sweating like a dog on trails though thanks guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87ComancheLB Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 Hey guys as you know I wish I had air so today I went down to the local yard and pulled the box out of a late model 4.0 HO cherokee took about 45 minutes it wasn't that bad, system was still under pressure and looked fairly new on the box dated 2002 my question on the compressor it says recharged with R12 I thought it was switched over to R134? I left it behind but they will hold it for me they wanted $80 for the box $25 for the controls I told them I will get back with them tomorrow, looks like I can probably get the whole system going for maybe around $300 isn't there some items that cannot be reuse and must be new? Also let me know if anything else I might have forgotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 I thought Jeep changed to RC-134a as of 1994. Might have been 1995, but no later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87ComancheLB Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 So Eagle is it worth getting since I already pulled it and I know what is involve to do the swap and converting it over to R134, since R12 is being obsolete, and is very expensive if found. The system might be good it did let out a good amount of freon, hoses etc looked in good shape same as the compressor and condenser, Oops I guess releasing it into the atmosphere was illegal. What was strange was the date code on the box, said 2002? I'll probably get the rest of it tomorrow since it looked fairly new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted June 3, 2008 Share Posted June 3, 2008 If it was R-12, I would have thought the yard would have drained the system. :dunno: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Camjeep, I hope I can politely join your thread here as a general a/c topic. Ironically, just today I had a shop check to see if my a/c had ever been converted so I could hopefully get some cool air blowing on some hot days of summer ahead as I work in the yard etc. Now, of course I'm still in peak physical condition and I'm not worried about the heat myself, but if my 7 yr old son is on a trash run with me or something, you know, I just don't want him to get overheated. But I digress. So, no, my system has not been changed over, and to do so ain't cheap. True to form for me, before I go searching the net for simpler (cheaper!) ways to cool my fat @$$, errr, my son off during the dog days of summer, I'd like to ask everyone here on the club for input first and hopefully save myself some time. All thoughts and suggestions are welcome....... :popcorn: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Wahoo, buy the conversion kit with the three aerosol cans from Auto Zone for $30 and go for it. My friend the VW (former Jeep) tech tells me has has converted numerous vehicles with those kits, and they work. I'll be doing a couple soon -- my '88 XJ and the '88 MJ. On the XJ I'll go whole-hog and replace the drier. On the MJ I think I'll try it without replacing the drier, and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Eagle, thanks, sounds like a plan. I'll let you know how it goes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
87ComancheLB Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 I was planning the same I got all the stuff from the yard, total cost was around $270 in the process installing it, I was wrong on the date code 94 :nuts: I'm taking my time no big hurry. Saw the same kits at Kragens. Article on coverting R12 to R134 http://www.redhillsupply.com/air-conditioner-convert-r12.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 A number of years ago I converted my Geo from R12 to R134a using a kit from Autozone that cost $25 at the time.. Had a local shop completely purge the system to get all the old oil out, screwed on the new valves (fit right over top of the old ones) and added the R134a oil, then the refrigerant. Worked great for 3 years before it quit. I have heard that 134a will leak out through much smaller pores than R12, so the O rings designed for R12 will leak some after converting to R134a. So when it quit I added a new can of R134a for like $7 or so, and it worked again until the engine blew. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
camjeep3 Posted June 5, 2008 Author Share Posted June 5, 2008 no problem Wahoo, thats what this site is for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comancheman Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 ok my turn to jump in. 89 4.0 has ac but the compressor doesnt turn on. its still set up for R12. i don't think its been used in a long time but whats the first step? would the compressor turn on if theres no freon in the system? or should i start with checkin power to the compressor? probably both Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 Comancheman, the compressor should come on regardless if there is coolant in the system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
comancheman Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 i thought maybe but i was told somewhere that the freon also lubricates the compressor so it won't turn if theirs no freon so it doesnt burn up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WahooSteeler Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 that is correct, but "usually" people notice when it's not blowing cold anymore and don't keep running it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaekl Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 To comancheman. All the systems I have shut down when the freon levels drop below a preset threshold. If you are confident there is freon in there. Just temporarily give the compressor 12 volts and the clutch should engage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted June 5, 2008 Share Posted June 5, 2008 The compressor oil circulates with the freon. To protect the compressor, once the low pressure side drops below a certain level, the compressor will not engage to protect itself. There's also a pressure switch on the high pressure side that turns off the compressor when the pressure there exceeds a certain level. This is why the compressor usually cycles instead of being on continuously. I would have a shop completely purge the system of anything that might be left in it, and then convert it over to 134a, but instead of using the refrigerant from the kit, use one can with UV dye in it. Then when it quits again you can use a black light to see where the leak is at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my87manche Posted June 7, 2008 Share Posted June 7, 2008 2002 will use R134A, if someone put R12 in it then drain all the oil you can and use ester oil then charge with 134. the hoses,condenser & evaporator are different for R134A. more fins per sq.in. &barrier hoses. i am currently beginning to put a/c in my '87. also there are relays that are controlled by the PCM for comp. clutch,fan control & idle speed which i have to find out if the renix control module is the same between A/C & non A/C trucks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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