Ac system, any non expensive options?

[Lucagoesoffroad]

Hello, AC question!
I bought a 1984 FJ45 pickup, no AC, very small cab. I'm doing the micro ceramic windows tinting and the heat insulation, and the last step will be the AC.
I know there are ready-made kits from vintage air and similar brands, but I live in UAE and the shipping cost alone would be 1250usd...
Sooooo..... My question is:
Can I build my own kit with ebay/aliexpress parts?
If I got it right, the most important part is the compressor because of the perfect fit required, so I was thinking of buying an original Toyota compressor (I can find it cheap here or on aliexpress) then buy the eBay universal underdash evaporator kits and all the other small parts.
Am I getting something wrong?
Apart from the fact that if I'm poor I should stay away from project cars..?
Thank you very much!

(yes, I used the search button, but I didn't really find the answer I was looking for)

 

[DougAustinTx]

The mount for a Sanden style compressor is going to be the hardest part to make. Vintage Air will sell you the mount for something around $110. All the rest is pretty much available as a generic part.. ie condenser coil, evap unit with blower fan etc. The Vintage air complete system has provision for a heater which I doubt you will need given where you are located. I just did a generic system for my '57 Chevy for about $300, but I already had the compressor.

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

The mount for a Sanden style compressor is going to be the hardest part to make. Vintage Air will sell you the mount for something around $110. All the rest is pretty much available as a generic part.. ie condenser coil, evap unit with blower fan etc. The Vintage air complete system has provision for a heater which I doubt you will need given where you are located. I just did a generic system for my '57 Chevy for about $300, but I already had the compressor.

Amazing thanks, so I can buy the mount from them and then all the rest eBay and Ali express? Exactly, I don't need the heater.. We don't even have it at home
The compressor must be Toyota or does the Vintage Air mount will allow me to use any compressor?
Thanks again

 

[PEOPLES]

That' possible. I have one of those "kits" in my Bandeirante, but actually there is lots of mechanical adjustment to be done.

I guess the "hardest" part is the integration of the compressor onto the engine and make it fit well (belts, wiring, etc). Otherwise those systems are pretty "dumb", means, the controller is in the ventilation unit and there is only a wire for the elec clutch on the compressor and a pressure switch.

The pics of my Band with Mercedes engine.

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

That' possible. I have one of those "kits" in my Bandeirante, but actually there is lots of mechanical adjustment to be done.

I guess the "hardest" part is the integration of the compressor onto the engine and make it fit well (belts, wiring, etc). Otherwise those systems are pretty "dumb", means, the controller is in the ventilation unit and there is only a wire for the elec clutch on the compressor and a pressure switch.

The pics of my Band with Mercedes engine.

View attachment 2938002

View attachment 2938003

View attachment 2938004

View attachment 2938005

Amazing, thanks! I'll start buying the compressor mount and then let's see little by little what I find!

 

[PEOPLES]

I don't have a picture of the lower mount. But I "designed" everything out of metal sheets, because I have a shop around here, which lasers and folds this kind of stuff.

As I said, it's the Mercedes engine, I added a Aircon, a bigger alternator and a turbo. The intercooler is in planning It's getting stuffed in the engine bay.

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

I don't have a picture of the lower mount. But I "designed" everything out of metal sheets, because I have a shop around here, which lasers and folds this kind of stuff.

As I said, it's the Mercedes engine, I added a Aircon, a bigger alternator and a turbo. The intercooler is in planning It's getting stuffed in the engine bay.

View attachment 2938017

I hope I can find someone trustworthy to do these works here too!

 

[Skreddy]

If I remember right, UZJ40 used a rear AC unit from a minivan and it fit under or behind the seat? Smaller, self contained units. May be enough for a 45 cab?

 

[PEOPLES]

I guess some of the work you need to do on your own

But what I can tell: at the beginning, it always looks like a huge mess and impossible. Go step by step and make it during a time, where you don't need to have your car able to drive.
My turbo-upgrade was planned with 1-2 weeks and it took me like 5 weeks. Lots of small thing which consumes lots of time at the end. And then you need to order and wait for some items as well, because thngs don't work out as planned.
BUT it's possible and the awesome thing with old cars is: there is no enginecontroller which needs to be flashed for a huge price

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

I guess some of the work you need to do on your own

But what I can tell: at the beginning, it always looks like a huge mess and impossible. Go step by step and make it during a time, where you don't need to have your car able to drive.
My turbo-upgrade was planned with 1-2 weeks and it took me like 5 weeks. Lots of small thing which consumes lots of time at the end. And then you need to order and wait for some items as well, because thngs don't work out as planned.
BUT it's possible and the awesome thing with old cars is: there is no enginecontroller which needs to be flashed for a huge price

Eheheh you're right! The only problem is that here we already have 30 °c... If I don't install some AC in time, in 2 or 3 weeks I won't be able to drive this car anymore..!

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

If I remember right, UZJ40 used a rear AC unit from a minivan and it fit under or behind the seat? Smaller, self contained units. May be enough for a 45 cab?

Thank you! I'll look for that post

 

[UZJ40]

These are the small AC/heat units in using. They are from a newer Toyota Sienna for the rear passengers. They move a lot of air... Hoping for good results.

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

These are the small AC/heat units in using. They are from a newer Toyota Sienna for the rear passengers. They move a lot of air... Hoping for good results.

View attachment 2938100

I don't really understand what I'm looking at (compressors? Evaporators? Radiators? All-in-one? Where are they supposed to be installed?) but I'll do some research on what the Toyota sienna has, thanks

 

[456z]

I think a sanden compressor mount will be different than a toyota compressor mount.
I have started an ac install into my 79 fj40. Useing a sanden compressor and made my own mount no problem. I had issue with finding a single "B" pully sanden reasonable priced. Suspect you will also need the "B" sized pulley and not the more abundent double"A" size.

 

[MOTOV8R]

Can you source a used ac in your region? I imagine a lot of them had ac in the UAE fitted from the factory or from dealers. Maybe also check for local land cruiser club to offer advice on local resources for used parts.

UAE FJ 40 Club

UAE FJ 40 Club. 4,803 likes · 23 talking about this. Decidated to FJ40 lovers of all age

www.facebook.com

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

I think a sanden compressor mount will be different than a toyota compressor mount.
I have started an ac install into my 79 fj40. Useing a sanden compressor and made my own mount no problem. I had issue with finding a single "B" pully sanden reasonable priced. Suspect you will also need the "B" sized pulley and not the more abundent double"A" size.

I think I'm really behind in knowledge here! I'm googling what is a sanden compressor, why I should use it instead of a Toyota one, what is a B pulley, a double A pulley... I think I'll just go for a complete kit or let some garage rip me off because I'm European..

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

Can you source a used ac in your region? I imagine a lot of them had ac in the UAE fitted from the factory or from dealers. Maybe also check for local land cruiser club to offer advice on local resources for used parts.

UAE FJ 40 Club

UAE FJ 40 Club. 4,803 likes · 23 talking about this. Decidated to FJ40 lovers of all age

www.facebook.com

I think I'll try this route..! The fj40 groups here are dead, but I have a friend who has a fj40 and knows where to source everything. The only problem is that he has more money than me so his suggestions might be expensive for me

 

[bikersmurf]

Not done A/C on my 40, but mounting my power steering pump for my P/S conversion was the hardest part. Plumbing was fairly easy and doesn’t require as much space and precise location.

Having rebuilt an A/C system in my other rig I know some. You’re going to need: Evaporator, Condenser, Dryer, pump, refrigerant, pressure relief valves, hoses, adequate air flow, control systems, and a couple valves to purge/fill.

It sounds like a lot, but it should be manageable if you have a repair shop around that can make custom lines, pressure test, and fill it. I had my system all put in, had them fix one line, and then test & fill it. When the dust settled I had to replace the fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, hoses, etc. All in it was about $1500 and the A/C pump was only about $400 of it and I didn’t buy any other A/C parts.

 

[Lucagoesoffroad]

Not done A/C on my 40, but mounting my power steering pump for my P/S conversion was the hardest part. Plumbing was fairly easy and doesn’t require as much space and precise location.

Having rebuilt an A/C system in my other rig I know some. You’re going to need: Evaporator, Condenser, Dryer, pump, refrigerant, pressure relief valves, hoses, adequate air flow, control systems, and a couple valves to purge/fill.

It sounds like a lot, but it should be manageable if you have a repair shop around that can make custom lines, pressure test, and fill it. I had my system all put in, had them fix one line, and then test & fill it. When the dust settled I had to replace the fan clutch, water pump, thermostat, hoses, etc. All in it was about $1500 and the A/C pump was only about $400 of it and I didn’t buy any other A/C parts.

Thank you!! I found this kit, I'll just need someone to fabricate the compressor mount, what do you think?

Universal Under Dash AC Air Conditioning Evaporator Kit Heat Cool A/C Compressor | eBay

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[PEOPLES]

I think I'll just go for a complete kit or let some garage rip me off because I'm European

One thing is for sure: There is no really "plug'n'play"-Solution, where you just need to turn some screws. There is always some adjustments necessary.

Especially with those old cars. For example the turbo-kit for my Band was declared as plug'n'play, but not with the aircon I had, and I saw, they took the measurements for the kit on a modell without powersteering, etc.
At the end you need to make it fit. Or you go to some "specialists" in Dubai (btw. I lived there alomst 3 years as well) but it's gonna be expensive for sure.

A or B pulley: Size of the belt. A is small (limited power transfer), B bigger. Have a look, what is installed on your engine. On my Band (see the pictures) I have a double A pulley, because on the engine crankshaft there was a double A already installed.