The install looks great. Did you source a new battery mount or fab something up to move it back? Did you already have the heater delete plate in your 40?
Old Air Hurricane Install
- Thread starter Honger
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- #22
I snagged a factory-AC battery mount from Saudi. We had to add one mounting hole to the '77 frame to accommodate the relocation... but otherwise it was bolt on.
My 40 came with the heater delete plate, yes. There's evidence it had the heater at one point in time.
Does this set up pull in fresh air from outside of the cab or does it use recirculated air from inside the cab?
Thanks
Thanks
How about a pic of the finished dash?
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- #25
It recirculates air from inside the cab. You could probably rig up some sort of duct to draw from the old heater opening... but it'd be a chore. Honestly, here in the UAE, I only ever use recirculating air for the AC. I know it'll be an issue when I move back stateside and want to use the heater... =)
Stay tuned...
I'll say this, the AC works fantastic!
Very nice. I really like the setup. Not a fan of the dash holes but those could always be moved into a different location. It also looks like you could retrofit the fresh air duct back on the truck.
- Thread starter
- #27
Looks great! This is the set up I am planning for my rig.
I might try to tap into some fresh air especially for the defrost. Just worried that it might fog up the inside of the cab windows if using recirculated air.
Awesome Job!
I might try to tap into some fresh air especially for the defrost. Just worried that it might fog up the inside of the cab windows if using recirculated air.
Awesome Job!
- Thread starter
- #29
Thanks!
Yeah, the holes in the dash aren't gonna be my most popular move. =) But there were a few non-original aspects to this truck that freed me up to take some creative license. I almost changed the color, but stuck with Dune Beige in the end. I could easily be the purist, but it wasn't meant to be for this truck.
I've never liked the mis-assigned switches and ash tray in the 40... nor the radio pocket. So I took the liberty of bringing some refinement to the dash layout.
The dash vents could be done quite differently with the system still located as I've done. And I agree, there's likely a way to easily retrofit the fresh air duct... if I had one. =)
That's a great looking setup that keeps the passenger legroom intact. Filing this away in the idea bank for sure!
- Josh
- Josh
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Hey @Honger,
Whilst researching Old Air Hurricane units for my 45 - guess who came up! I recall reading this back before I was serious about AC. Glad I found my way back here. Your setup is so neat. Are you happy with it? Does it cool down the 40 cabin in those hot Mid East temps? Would you do it again?
Cheers,
Daniel
Whilst researching Old Air Hurricane units for my 45 - guess who came up! I recall reading this back before I was serious about AC. Glad I found my way back here. Your setup is so neat. Are you happy with it? Does it cool down the 40 cabin in those hot Mid East temps? Would you do it again?
Cheers,
Daniel
- Thread starter
- #32
For the AC I'm not worried about fogged up windows... the AC is, by design, also a dehumidifier. However, once I make it a heater as well (when/if I move somewhere cold) then I'll definitely be battling that issue.
Passenger leg room was the big reason I used this spot and chose a unit to fit there. I'm really happy with the results compared to the leg-room-eating setups I've seen.
I'm happy with the overall setup, very happy. It met the aesthetic requirements perfectly.
I've not been able to use it in the true Mid East temps... it's winter here and most days are only hitting a high of 28. =) That said, there have been some warm/humid afternoons that I've used it.
Take this as an interim report:
1. It has had some occasions where it works VERY well, spitting out very cold air.
2. It has had some occasions where I'm left wondering how Jonathan Ward could have ever been happy using this thing.
3. I've since discovered that the shop didn't properly connect the thermostat switch.
It has a lead that is supposed to be inserted into the evaporator core and they did not do that. In addition, on two occasions now I've had oil leak out from the plumbing around the expansion valve which makes me think they haven't hooked that up properly either. If oil has leaked then it has likely over-pressurized and lost some refrigerant as well.
So, long story short, I think it's gonna be a great unit based on the times it has worked great. But I need to work out some bugs with the shop. I'm taking it up there this Saturday.
Will keep this thread updated with more info. The reason I've delayed giving my impressions so far is because of these snags. =)
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Thanks mate, very keen to hear. Tossing up between this and the Gen II Super System from Vintage Air that I'd mount under the seat.
Fantastic install! Looks great!
- Thread starter
- #35
I'd dig into that a bit more. Research it quite a bit. Call Icon in California and ask them for the make/model they are using in the third generation icon builds. They used this Old Air unit for their first/second generation but switched to something from Vintage Air I believe. Calling their tech/parts department is how I found out what vents they use. =)
Joel
I didn't use my AC unit much over the last summer, but when I did, the cold air coming out of the vents was always consistent. On the really hot days, the air obviously wasn't as cold, but there wasn't much of a fluctuation in the temperature coming out. I think once you get yours dialed in, you'll be happy with it!
Good job on the dash!
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Hey mate, do you think aftermarket air will ever be as good as factory air? Cause the air on my missus Mazda CX5 is cold as ice, even on the hottest day. Thoughts?
So the shop that sold me the compressor, condenser, and drier did a great job with the AC. They handled the truck with care and I'm quite pleased with the install.
They have plenty of other cars of various makes, model, and vintage...
The body shop had installed the Old Air bulkhead fitting into the heater delete plate quite neatly.
A top-down view of the AC plumbing to the compressor, condenser, and drier.
And from the compressor back to the bulkhead fitting.
And here's inside the truck along the firewall. They insulated the cold supply line so that it wouldn't collect moisture and drip inside the truck. They did a great job following my input on a t-fitting into the cowl drain hose. Very neatly done. Though the drain line from the AC is somewhat kinked in this photo.
And a final photo looking upward into all the ducting above the unit. It's all quite tight, but they managed to get all 4 vents ducted along with the stock defroster tubes.
I'll be updating this thread with my findings regarding temps from the AC. If anyone has specific questions or picture requests let me know.
Man, adding an AC sure clutters up the free space under the 40's hood.
Hi
Nice work. I am thinking of doing this to my 1984 FJ 45. Did you get any suggestions on mounting the compressor?
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- #40
I missed your comment.
In the end, I stuck with the compressor mount shown in the photo. We fabricated tabs out of 1/4" steel plate with two holes in them... and then bolted them to the compressor mount and then to the compressor, as shown. It has held solid.