I recently bought a second FJ60 for my son as a graduation present. It is in great shape (zero rust, beautiful original paint, nice interior, 166K miles) but it is one of the few FJ60's that was sold without factory A/C. I would like to install a new aftermarket system rather than try to retrofit a factory system. Thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.
It will ALWAYS be easier to go factory than to go aftermarket.
ALWAYS.
In this scenario its probably cheaper too. And resale matters. Buy a complete used system from one of the various parts vendors advertising on this forum and replace the compressor and dryer. Denso parts are available new much cheaper on-line than through Toyota. The stock wiring harness should have the connectors in the loom. Everything will fit and nothing will have to be modified or hacked up.
I wouldn't even consider going aftermarket. The stock AC is a heavy duty system and even with the r134a conversion it is very capable of blowing snow out the vents.
It will ALWAYS be easier to go factory than to go aftermarket.
ALWAYS.
Probably cheaper too. And resale matters. Buy a complete used system from one of the various parts vendors advertising on this forum and replace the compressor and dryer. Denso parts are available new much cheaper on-line than through Toyota. The stock wiring harness should have the connectors in the loom. Everything will fit and nothing will have to be modified or hacked up.
I wouldn't even consider going aftermarket. The stock AC is a heavy duty system and even with the r134a conversion it is very capable of blowing snow out the vents.
Thanks, I have an '87 that is a ranch truck and I can take the A/C parts off of it. It worked fine last time I charged the system. I was thinking that getting into the dash would be a pain but maybe it won't be too bad.
Getting into the dash will be a pain. Aftermarket or stock; there's no avoiding it. You'll need to pull the glove box and instrument cluster to access the four nuts holding the pad to the metal windshield eyebrow. The heater core will have to be pulled to insert the evaporator. It might be possible to pull the blower instead but it puts the plastic mounting tabs under a lot of stress. It will likely be filthy inside all three and you'll want to clean it all anyway. And probably replace the age-powdered foam gaskets.
Pages 1,3, and 4 of my Frankie build have pictures of what you'll find under the dash.
For a different perspective: If you source a factory evaporator housing, you could use a "universal" Sanden style compressor (4Seasons #58551)~$225 using a Vintage Air #15465VTB compressor bracket~150. Add a high efficiency condenser ~$100 and a universal receiver/drier with switch (4Seasons #33264)~$25 You could then have hoses built using off-the-shelf fittings for about $150. That would put you at about $650 in parts (+the evap housing). While there is some amount of fabrication, most of these parts would bolt on. The condenser would require some brackets (flat-strap works fine) and you'll need a universal bracket to mount the drier (<$2.). You can route the hoses exactly how you want. These components should be able to produce A/C performance equal to the factory set-up.
