Hey Guys! Super excited to become a member of the group...meaning FJ40 owner! I recently purchased a 1979 FJ40 from a gentleman in CT that has 22k miles on it! (you may have seen it advertised on Hemmings?) and yes, I paid through the a$$ for it! The reason for this thread is to kind of get a general consensus on the subject of aftermarket AC and how it will depreciate or appreciate the value of an unrestored vehicle? I live in Florida and it gets pretty darn warm in the summer and if I don't add AC I'm afraid it may not get used during those months, but I'm equally as worried if I start drilling holes in the firewall, dash and floor pan (drain hose) that the value of the vehicle will substantially go down? I of course purchased the vehicle to drive but I also consider the amount of money I paid to be somewhat of an investment (at least that's how I justified it). Just trying to get a few opinions from the guys who own and buy these things since you are the ones that determine the values.
1979 FJ40 A/C Advice
- Thread starter BuccaneerTLC79
- Start date
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The addition of a/c should not decrease the value as long as it is a good installation and not butchered up. By the way, the drain goes thru the foot panel not the floor pan. You spent a lot of money and the a/c will let you get the most enjoyment from your investment.
Michael B
SILVER Star
AC is a good upgrade when properly executed.
I am looking at Old Air Products unit. Looks similar to stock heater. Hoping to make a plate where the existing blower mounts on firewall. Planning on passing all hoses and wiring through it. Several have used it here. I also will the using the stock 60 compressor mount for a more factory looking install.
you realize by using the 60 motor mount which is the same as the 40 with a/c mount, that you will need to modify your battery mount also.
it also gets very crowded in that section.
1 more thing to add is you'll need a 3 groove crank pulley.
it also gets very crowded in that section.
1 more thing to add is you'll need a 3 groove crank pulley.
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On my 72 I know the box needs to be moved back some. Was under the impression the 79 is different and adding the compressor was no problem.
You are NOT a member until you post pictures 
- Thread starter
- #9
Uh...little embarassed to say, but waiting on the truck to deliver it! I’m getting all of the info together prior to it arriving (kinda like decorating a baby room before it’s born I guess?). Don’t worry though, the day it gets here I’ll be showing it off like I just had a kid! Pics for everyone!!!
I live in Houston and I’m dropping close to $20k+ on my restoration and you can bet your bottom dollar there will be AC in it when I’m finish. Unless you’re willing to only drive it 3-4 months of the year, AC is a must in our climates, regardless of investment. I bought my rig and am restoring my rig to drive, not look at.
Was it the green one? I have the vintage A/C unit in mine. It’s works as advertised. I didn’t install it and the person who did could of done a better job. Save all the parts you pull off, take your time on the install and you should be fine. Also, powercoat all the brackets for engine bay. Mine were left raw and look like sh*t.
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I added the aftermarket A/C to mine four years ago. Mine is a daily driver most of the year. It stays in the garage on any snow day.
If I had a do over I would not have installed A/C. I have used it maybe four times in four years. I didn't go cheap and I bought a really nice system from Cool Cruisers. It looks fine installed. I took my time installing everything.
The negatives-
1. You lose front leg room for the passenger. My wife doesn't like that. I have modified the seat bracket and have moved the passenger seat back as far as it will go, so that helps some.
2. All the air is blowing mostly on the passenger. You can turn the directional veins towards the driver, but you aren't getting good direct cold air.
3. It is noisy. Real loud on high. I know that inside a 40 is noisy anyway, but the A/C unit is just more noise.
4. You have to remove the nice plastic air ducts for the heater and instead you install this flexible duct that doesn't give as good air flow to the heater.
5. You have this long V belt that goes around the compressor, Alternator, water pump pulley and front engine pulley. You have to stretch that thing pretty tight. Just seems a bad design.
6. I have never been happy with the alignment of the belt and it squeaks. Trying to get the thing aligned is a real PITA. The kit comes with a bracket that is to hold the alternator and compressor. Just doesn't fit real nice. After several sessions trying to align things it is finally pretty good, but not perfect. I had the belt disintegrate one day while far from home. I swung into an Advance Auto. The guy kept letting me try belts until I found one that fit. It ended up being a lawn mower deck belt. Very durable belt anyway. I bought a spare for under the seat.
7. The A/C compressor works the 6 cylinder pretty hard. You burn a lot more gas. I am not one that worries about gas mileage, as I drive a 40 almost every day. But with the A/C on it is sort of stupid crazy the gas burned.
I live in Virginia and really it is only real hot muggy a couple of months each year. What I ended up doing is drive my 1996 Dodge Ram when the day is to be crazy hot and I want A/C. I find the 40 is just fine on most hot days with all the windows and vents open. But also I was a teen in the 70's when most cars didn't have A/C anyway and we survived just fine. You adapt. I have considered removing the whole system and going back to a belt just to an alternator as I just don't like using the A/C. To each his own of course. And your results may vary.
If I had a do over I would not have installed A/C. I have used it maybe four times in four years. I didn't go cheap and I bought a really nice system from Cool Cruisers. It looks fine installed. I took my time installing everything.
The negatives-
1. You lose front leg room for the passenger. My wife doesn't like that. I have modified the seat bracket and have moved the passenger seat back as far as it will go, so that helps some.
2. All the air is blowing mostly on the passenger. You can turn the directional veins towards the driver, but you aren't getting good direct cold air.
3. It is noisy. Real loud on high. I know that inside a 40 is noisy anyway, but the A/C unit is just more noise.
4. You have to remove the nice plastic air ducts for the heater and instead you install this flexible duct that doesn't give as good air flow to the heater.
5. You have this long V belt that goes around the compressor, Alternator, water pump pulley and front engine pulley. You have to stretch that thing pretty tight. Just seems a bad design.
6. I have never been happy with the alignment of the belt and it squeaks. Trying to get the thing aligned is a real PITA. The kit comes with a bracket that is to hold the alternator and compressor. Just doesn't fit real nice. After several sessions trying to align things it is finally pretty good, but not perfect. I had the belt disintegrate one day while far from home. I swung into an Advance Auto. The guy kept letting me try belts until I found one that fit. It ended up being a lawn mower deck belt. Very durable belt anyway. I bought a spare for under the seat.
7. The A/C compressor works the 6 cylinder pretty hard. You burn a lot more gas. I am not one that worries about gas mileage, as I drive a 40 almost every day. But with the A/C on it is sort of stupid crazy the gas burned.
I live in Virginia and really it is only real hot muggy a couple of months each year. What I ended up doing is drive my 1996 Dodge Ram when the day is to be crazy hot and I want A/C. I find the 40 is just fine on most hot days with all the windows and vents open. But also I was a teen in the 70's when most cars didn't have A/C anyway and we survived just fine. You adapt. I have considered removing the whole system and going back to a belt just to an alternator as I just don't like using the A/C. To each his own of course. And your results may vary.
Michael B
SILVER Star
I installed Old Air Products AC on my 78' 45 last March and have used it numerous times. I'm very satisfied with the performance of this system. I did use factory AC compressor and brackets which made it easy for belt and pulley alignment. Being a resident of Alabama I won't have another 40 series without AC again. Been there done that!
I also have the CCOT system, too bad it is no longer being sold. I agree with most of @JAFO2014 comments on the system. However, I would do it again for sure. It cools very well, my heater still works great, and I dont have any issues with squeaking or belt alignment. It did take several times remounting the compressor and getting the proper belt before I got it right. It is loud and the passenger gets the short end, but I never sit over there!
All in all, I think the A/C system I installed adds value, as it looks very close to the OEM unit. It could be removed without leaving too many holes. IIRC, I drilled a couple of holes in the firewall. Measure ten times and cut once!!
All in all, I think the A/C system I installed adds value, as it looks very close to the OEM unit. It could be removed without leaving too many holes. IIRC, I drilled a couple of holes in the firewall. Measure ten times and cut once!!
- Thread starter
- #15
Yes, it is the green one. I’m really having a hard time deciding on this AC delema! I did read a thread on here where the fellow installed the Old Air System CAP-200B and ecstatically it looks as close to factory as I could find. I guess I can just try it for a while until it gets hot and see how it goes then?
Probably not a bad idea to wait and see. Someone may come up with a OE copy again. In just a year or two since I finished my build, @Racer65 and others have come up with some great solutions to NLA parts and problems. Like repro floor mats, OEM fog lights, and weatherstripping to name a few. Cant wait to see some pictures of your rig. Welcome to the best group on the net!!
Michael B
SILVER Star
Here's some pictures of my unit. It's very similar to the original units.
MOTOV8R
SILVER Star
What model is that. Looks great.
Michael B
SILVER Star
78' HJ45
