OK, my first "tech" article. My new 1976 Oinker lacked the most important mechanical feature it could have... AC. The 55 MPH gust doesn't cut it in Reno in August. Or July. Or March.
So investigated sourcing an OEM one. In addition to being about impossible to find, they are ancient and probably largely worn out.
I then contacted Vintage Air and Old Air. They both had a kit of some sort for an FJ40 (common beasts that they are), but nothing for Mooses (we have the best nicknames. The best). Luckily I had seen an ad for a bazzilion $$ FJ55 which had a VA setup installed. I sent VA an interior pic and he was able to ID everything on the interior. That just left...everything else.
The AC compressor is probably the easiest part. I have a TBI 350, and VA has a mount kit which adapts the stock saddle to the new compressor. I guess if you have the stock Toyota engine it may be trickier, but I would imagine the lesser Cruiser (FJ40) kits likely have away to adapt their compressor to the 6 cylinder.
Anyway, this chapter is about the condenser. You'd think it was the easy part. You'd be wrong. It was kinda annoying. Anyway, first I removed the bad-ass grill, the hood latch thingy, and the vertical strut that's in front of the radiator. (Note: If you can't figure out how to remove these three thing, stop, do not pass go, do not collect your $200. Just roll down the window and hope for the best.) Next I took careful measurement of the front of the radiator to let VA determine the biggest condenser I could fit. Then I ordered the next bigger size, because I'm pretty smart and can make things work. Anyway after I returned the bigger one I started making the one VA recommended work.
The actual method to mount it isn't too bad. It comes with 4 little wings that bolt on each corner of the condenser. I then kinda customly bent them so that they basically fit between the radiator mount flanges and the metal structure the radiator mount flanges bolt to. The wings actually would have worked just kinda pinched in there, but I drilled holes in the radiator flanges and put some self tappers in.. Then I pinched them in also. So they are screwed and pinched.
It would have been really bitchin' to just run the AC hoses right up to the condenser and brag about my amazing success. However, there was Landcruiser stuff in the way. Namely there was a double walled shroud kinda thing there. After much head scratching, and conferring with Superdawg (who had been watching warily) we decided a 1 1/4" hole saw was just the needed item . (Remember the shroud kinda thing is double walled, double the drilling, no premature celebration.) Also make DAMN SURE you have the condenser in its final location to get the measurements prior to taking the plunge. You want the condenser plumb, square and looking good. You have to measure off the two fittings on the condenser to find proper location for the holes thru said double wall shroud kinda thing.
Anyway, in pix below you can see the holes through the double wall shroud looking thing, the hole saw (in a pretend action shot) and the AC hose coming thru the hole and attaching to the condenser. You can see the condenser mount wings a little bit.
Next chapter... The Firewall!!
So investigated sourcing an OEM one. In addition to being about impossible to find, they are ancient and probably largely worn out.
I then contacted Vintage Air and Old Air. They both had a kit of some sort for an FJ40 (common beasts that they are), but nothing for Mooses (we have the best nicknames. The best). Luckily I had seen an ad for a bazzilion $$ FJ55 which had a VA setup installed. I sent VA an interior pic and he was able to ID everything on the interior. That just left...everything else.
The AC compressor is probably the easiest part. I have a TBI 350, and VA has a mount kit which adapts the stock saddle to the new compressor. I guess if you have the stock Toyota engine it may be trickier, but I would imagine the lesser Cruiser (FJ40) kits likely have away to adapt their compressor to the 6 cylinder.
Anyway, this chapter is about the condenser. You'd think it was the easy part. You'd be wrong. It was kinda annoying. Anyway, first I removed the bad-ass grill, the hood latch thingy, and the vertical strut that's in front of the radiator. (Note: If you can't figure out how to remove these three thing, stop, do not pass go, do not collect your $200. Just roll down the window and hope for the best.) Next I took careful measurement of the front of the radiator to let VA determine the biggest condenser I could fit. Then I ordered the next bigger size, because I'm pretty smart and can make things work. Anyway after I returned the bigger one I started making the one VA recommended work.
The actual method to mount it isn't too bad. It comes with 4 little wings that bolt on each corner of the condenser. I then kinda customly bent them so that they basically fit between the radiator mount flanges and the metal structure the radiator mount flanges bolt to. The wings actually would have worked just kinda pinched in there, but I drilled holes in the radiator flanges and put some self tappers in.. Then I pinched them in also. So they are screwed and pinched.
It would have been really bitchin' to just run the AC hoses right up to the condenser and brag about my amazing success. However, there was Landcruiser stuff in the way. Namely there was a double walled shroud kinda thing there. After much head scratching, and conferring with Superdawg (who had been watching warily) we decided a 1 1/4" hole saw was just the needed item . (Remember the shroud kinda thing is double walled, double the drilling, no premature celebration.) Also make DAMN SURE you have the condenser in its final location to get the measurements prior to taking the plunge. You want the condenser plumb, square and looking good. You have to measure off the two fittings on the condenser to find proper location for the holes thru said double wall shroud kinda thing.
Anyway, in pix below you can see the holes through the double wall shroud looking thing, the hole saw (in a pretend action shot) and the AC hose coming thru the hole and attaching to the condenser. You can see the condenser mount wings a little bit.
Next chapter... The Firewall!!
