Builds Bluebonnet - 5.3/H55 FJ40 (1 Viewer)

[SipLife]

Went up to Mt.Ida AR for the weekend. Put roughly 520 on road and 40 off road miles on our rigs in preparation for SAS #6 this August. Bluebonnet rocked the trails and got me home with 0 issues.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

That's how you do it Liam. Nice work.

 

[waiting for time]

Looks like it was a fun trip.

 

[SipLife]

Back to work on the AC install after the trip. New compressor is mounted. Found these handy adapters that convert the compressor high low ports to #8 and #10 o-ring type fittings.

Didn’t get a condenser kit with the vintage air kit I purchased so I had to get creative. This is a generic nostalgic air ac condenser that fits perfectly. Just had to make my own mounting brackets and trim the core support stiffening ribs in the upper and lower corners to create room for the lines. Also had to weld the lower rib back to the support. Got the drier mounted to the battery tray as well.

Have a local mom and pop shop called Hosefast near us. They do awesome work and are willing to take on any job. Had them make these custom ac lines for me.

 

[Engineer8000]

That looks pretty good, what PN condenser is that?

 

[SipLife]

That looks pretty good, what PN condenser is that?

Here’s the link. It’s roughly 14 x 18 and 7/8” thick. Fits like a glove. Haven’t put the bib back on yet but looks like I won’t have to trim it at all.

 

[Engineer8000]

I have the OEM AC rad and support, looks a little different, there isn't an area to recess the coil like you have.

 

[Engineer8000]

Thanks for the link!

 

[Engineer8000]

We have a shop in Wilmington NC, Diesel Parts of Carolina. That guy is a wizard. He made up my AC hose, PS hose and even a hydraulic line for my 1969 JD 140. They can do it all.

 

[SipLife]

We have a shop in Wilmington NC, Diesel Parts of Carolina. That guy is a wizard. He made up my AC hose, PS hose and even a hydraulic line for my 1969 JD 140. They can do it all.

Yeah these guys have perfected their craft. They have every fitting imaginable on inventory. The old timer Shaun who works there has been there for years. He did all my lines in like 20 minutes. Price is fair too. Hard to justify buying the tools when we’ll only use them once per rig.

 

[waiting for time]

Yeah these guys have perfected their craft. They have every fitting imaginable on inventory. The old timer Shaun who works there has been there for years. He did all my lines in like 20 minutes. Price is fair too. Hard to justify buying the tools when we’ll only use them once per rig.

It is always justified to buy tools! What if………… you need them then.

 

[SipLife]

Wrapped up installing my lines. Had to add a new main ecu harness pass through hole in the firewall. Had no room to run it through the blower cover panel anymore. Really nice 2 piece pass through that landed everything directly in the glovebox.

Condenser fits with no mods to the bib. Had to remove the “Toyota” emblem though. Will revisit mounting it later.

Checked system held pressure and charged it. Compressor would not receive power from the relay to the pressure switch. Hardwired it to get the pressure up. Still no dice after system was pressurized. Texted @samc2447 and it turns out I lost the evap temp sensor female plug behind the evap when I wired everything up.

My ecu:

Steve’s ecu:

Plugged it in and compressor started cycling. Unplugged the low side port connector and refrigerant went everywhere. AC shop didn’t install schrader valve to the low side

Cleaned up the mess, installed schrader valve, and recharged the system. It blows cold and pressures seem good but I only have 1 12oz can in the system and it calls for 21.4oz. Going to run it hard and recheck pressures again tomorrow.

 

[samc2447]

Looking good Liam!

 

[Michael B]

I would be careful about running the AC system low on freon. The freon also contains the oil for the system.

 

[thatcabledude]

I would be careful about running the AC system low on freon. The freon also contains the oil for the system.

I was going to ask if the compressor comes pre oiled and how much PAG that system specs.

 

[ceylonfj40nut]

Has oil. Added separately. Some did blow out. Pressure is 45 low, 250 high. With one can. Temps were 105F when we did this. Truck was run to see if things stabilize and will check pressures. I go by gauges more than I do quantity. Cools well which is the other thing. We can add the next Freon can with some that has oil in it.

 

[thatcabledude]

Has oil. Added separately. Some did blow out. Pressure is 45 low, 250 high. With one can. Temps were 105F when we did this. Truck was run to see if things stabilize and will check pressures. I go by gauges more than I do quantity. Cools well which is the other thing. We can add the next Freon can with some that has oil in it.

I’m not an expert and never stay at Holiday Inn either, but if it has the amount oil it calls for in it I would run it. Throw a regular can of freon in the tool bag to add if necessary.

 

[SipLife]

I would be careful about running the AC system low on freon. The freon also contains the oil for the system.

I was going to ask if the compressor comes pre oiled and how much PAG that system specs.

This was my concern as well. I added 8oz of PAG to the system. Because of the leak I do not know the total PAG oil level left in the system. Made a call with SAS approaching and other items on the chopping block left to do. Will keep an eye on it.

 

[POTATO LAUNCHER]

You will be fine. Start adding another can of R-134 until it cycles the compressor consistently. That's when the capacity is correct for ambient temp.
Keep up the good work.

 

[waiting for time]

Its been a while but if I’m correct you check for the bubbles in the sight glass on top of the dryer, lots of bubbles means low refrigerant.
If it gives low temps/enough pressure you’re fine.