Installing ac in a non ac 4runner (1 Viewer)

[bryan89]

hey guys,
looking at buying an 86 4runner out of colorado that does not have ac.
i was wondering if anyone knew how hard it would be to put ac in the truck, assuming i sourced the parts from a junk yard or something.

do i need to pull the dash out completely to route some hoses? or can it all be accessed with the dash in?

also, the additional holes in the firewall should be there with plugs or something in them correct? i shouldnt have to drill any additional holes because these trucks came with ac. just not this one.

let me know if i am barking up the wrong tree.
thanks
bryan

 

[KLF]

In this vintage, some came from the factory with AC, some were added by the dealer, so it's not a huge deal to add it later, assuming you can find all the parts (which may be more difficult). Mine was added by the dealer, they did a CRAPPY job drilling the holes thru the firewall. I've since removed my AC, so I had to make up plugs for the refrigerant lines and the condensate drain.

You don't need to pull the entire dash out, the evaporator coil is in a replacable section that sits behind the glovebox.

I have several AC compressors in my parts pile that I would like to get rid of, I'm putting a York on my engine for on-board air. I also have an engine bracket but it's from a carbed truck, not sure if it's the same on the 22RE.

Be warned that this system was resigned for R12, which is no longer available. Converting to R143a is a gamble, often times (as in my case) the results are not that great.

edit: here's a good starting point, but it's a little pricey: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-9...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[bryan89]

so the holes werent already there?
i figured the firewall would be a stamped part and then if it were not used on the assembly line they would have plugged it. unless ac was not that popular then?

also, what years could i source parts from. anything with a 22re or should i stay any 4runner with 22re? or will the v6 stuff work minus the bracket i suppose?

 

[KLF]

so the holes werent already there?

I don't believe so, not on the trucks that don't have AC from the factory. Here's where the holes were on my truck, you can see how I blocked them off with a few stepped fender washers and a carraige bolt:

There is another hole below that for the condensate drain tube off the evaporator coil. My holes were obvoiusly done by someone with a dull hole saw, they were rough and oblong, they didn't bother to put some paint on them to keep the bare metal from rusting.

also, what years could i source parts from. anything with a 22re or should i stay any 4runner with 22re? or will the v6 stuff work minus the bracket i suppose?

At some point they changed the system from R12 to R134a ('92-94 time frame I believe), and the bracket changed so you can't accidently mix and match the wrong compressor. The upper pair of bolts are wider apart on the newer compressors. I really don't know about the V6 parts, certainly the bracket won't fit on the 22RE, I would also worry about the pulley location.

The electrical stuff is also gonna be a pain. You'll need the wiring harness, it includes a small fuse block, there's an AC "amplifier" brain box that lives behind the glove box, and the switch that goes in the dash.

 

[bryan89]

sounds like the thing to do is find a truck with all of it on there that has been converted to r134a then huh? then pull everything (condensor, evaporator, drier, brackets, wiring, computer etc) then go to advance auto or something and get a re manufactured compressor. that way it would be the up to date.
the only bad thing about that is you wouldnt be able to tell if there were any leaks with any of the components until you tried to pull a vacuum on it.

 

[ferg]

Make sure you get 4rnr parts! The 4rnr has an extra section of condenser that goes infront of the main unit. Extra condenser was to compensate for the greater inside area that required cooling. If using R134 you will need this to run anywhere near efficient.

 

[ZPDFJ]

Question

For 85 4x4 22RE p/u can u buy 86 p/u system and swap it in?

 

[2ndGenToyotaFan]

For 85 4x4 22RE p/u can u buy 86 p/u system and swap it in?

It should be close enough to work without too much problem...

 

[Bogo]

134a generally requires a larger condenser than needed for R-12. It should be possible to have a condenser coil made to fit in front of your radiator. If it is over sized for capacity it won't matter. The rest of the parts should be available.

Check the parts you get to see if they have any blackness in the coolant passages. If they do, you may wish to reject them. Google air conditioner black death.

 

[elblat]

I just did this on my 86 4runner. I used late 80s truck parts from the junkyard, put in a new receiver/dryer and R134. Works great and was suprisingly easy, like someone mentioned earlier they were made for AC to be added easily and that seems to be true. All the proper wires were already there. The R12 compressor works fine with R134. I had to get slightly longer bolts to put the compressor bracket on the timing cover. The O-rings from an auto parts store generic import assortment worked fine. Going on a few months now no issues.

I had to drill the holes for the evaporator but there were handy indentations already there to center the hole saw. No need to pull the dash, just the glove box.

 

[8722re]

I am aware of forum etiquette, and realize the cardinal sin of a complete noob to the forum bumping a year old thread so kindly don't kill me.

Whatever became of this project bud? I ask because I am venturing into the very same thing and information on the subject is somewhat difficult to come by. I have been all over yotatech and other places only to come up still wondering about what all is needed.

if you finished up, and info would be sweet! thanks man.

 

[bryan89]

wow, that was old.
actually, for me at least, I found another 4runner that had ac from the factory. the deal with the one without ac fell through. so the problem eliminated itself.
sorry i couldnt be of any help

 

[elblat]

Mine is still working great, pretty easy install. Used truck parts and R134.

 

[KLF]

I have some of these parts that I'd *LOVE* to get rid of, BTW. Compressors, bracket, idler pulley, some of the hoses, evap coil & heater box insert. Don't have the condenser coil or the hard lines, I think I already gave that stuff away to another MUD member.

 

[400orbust]

I'm currently adding ac to my 1st gen 89 4runner. I have the evap unit installed and need some help figuring the wiring out. Where does the 4 prong plug coming from the ac amplifier go? I cannot find a matching plug for this? It is the plug next to my thumb in the pic.

 

[liljlandon]

I have some of these parts that I'd *LOVE* to get rid of, BTW. Compressors, bracket, idler pulley, some of the hoses, evap coil & heater box insert. Don't have the condenser coil or the hard lines, I think I already gave that stuff away to another MUD member.

I received a large chunk of this. It went to good use unless I was going up hill. When I turned it into a non-DD it was all removed for cooling purpose.

 

[PAToyota]

Considering the issues with R12 and that many of these were dealer installed anyway, has anyone gone the aftermarket route? I know there are a variety of kits for the classic car crowd. Those may be too blingy, though. Not sure what the other options are.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

At some point they changed the system from R12 to R134a ('92-94 time frame I believe), and the bracket changed so you can't accidently mix and match the wrong compressor. The upper pair of bolts are wider apart on the newer compressors. I really don't know about the V6 parts, certainly the bracket won't fit on the 22RE, I would also worry about the pulley location.

R134A was designed to be a drop in replacement for R12.

I had a 1991 4Runner (SR5 V6) that has a siezed AC compressor that used R12. A friend of mine gave me a compressor out of a 95 which was designed for R134A. The R134A compressor bolted right up to the bracket on the motor the R12 compressor came off of. I had to change the manifold on the compressor, though, as the R134A manifold was different than the one for R12, something about how the AC lines hooked up. It bolted right up.

I changed out the Receiver/Dryer for one setup for R134A pulled vacuum on the system overnight and then charged the system with R134A.

Worked great for the 2 years I had the truck after that. The A/C system blew nice and cold and still does (I know the current owner of the truck).

 

[wyomingben]

I'm currently adding ac to my 1st gen 89 4runner. I have the evap unit installed and need some help figuring the wiring out. Where does the 4 prong plug coming from the ac amplifier go? I cannot find a matching plug for this? It is the plug next to my thumb in the pic.
View attachment 633928

Look way up high under the dash pad, the mate to that plug is taped to the wiring harness.

 

[Lambot8]

I'm installing ac in a 94 v6 toyota pickup. It did not come with it. I acquired all the parts from a junk yard. Mostly from a 91 4runner but a few bits from a 91 pickup. My truck has all the connectors so far except the one that plugs into the wiring harness at the main fuse box. It's the one my pinky is pointing at. I have the box that adds on that also goes to the fan. Just can't figure out why all the other connectors are there and this one's not. Do I need to wire it in?