Builds Unicorns are real... My dream car FJ73 build (2 Viewers)

[2fpower]

I have been scouring the interwebz for a couple years now looking for what I have built up to be my dream car. I have almost pulled the trigger on a few of them, but they were just not quite right. My criteria was LHD and air conditioning and rust free. I live in the midwest and A/C and rust free are a must for me. I am wayyyyy too old to be dealing with rusty old cars. Just sucks the fun out of it. @SammyT96LX450 has used his European connections to help me find countless rigs over the past year, none quite right.

Then @ace10 posted up this one on Bring a Trailer(BAT). I was new to BAT; however signed up to have a chance at this one.

The positives was under 100k miles, cold A/C, LHD, really clean interior, complete car, 5 speed, and rust free..

The negative was the engine is known to have issues and a really cheap paint job on it... I hate that as you dont' know what it is covering.

Well a few days later I was driving my truck / trailer to Chicago to pick it up. I wanted to inspect it personally to make sure it was not a rusty shell under that paint job. The seller, Ivan, was very nice and responsive and after inspection, I verified very truthful in his postings. Really was good to work with. He has dual citizenship in Spain and US, so able to find and get cars to the US much easier than you or I could.

The one issue is that the A/C does not blow cold. In fact the compressor does not engage. Don't know if it is low on Freon or if it needs major parts; however, he pledged to make this right. More about that later.

So, here I am, finally with my dream car. I am going to need lots of help from this 70 community to get it to where I want it to be. In the next 24 months, I forsee:

new engine
lift
bumpers
new shoes
rear locker?
new seats?

 

[2fpower]

So first question. A/C. From where the hoses are routed, I am going to guess aftermarket. What am I looking at here??? Is this R12 or R134? Do I do a pigtail to engage clutch or is this a pressure system?

Maybe the first question I should have is if there is a FSM available?

 

[joekatana]

So first question. A/C. From where the hoses are routed, I am going to guess aftermarket. What am I looking at here??? Is this R12 or R134? Do I do a pigtail to engage clutch or is this a pressure system?

Maybe the first question I should have is if there is a FSM available?

I don't think a fsm is available for the Cruisers build in Portugal for the local market and the ac components will probably be sourced local also so you might need to contact Ivan again to go to the local parts dealer in Spain with the compressor in hand to see what matches . Not much info on the VM powered cruisers unfortunately and many parts on them do not come from Toyota but local parts suppliers.

Looks like a very clean cruiser though, congrats


Joe

 

[FJBen]

Nice 73.





The compressor is a Sanden SD-508 model 9283. You can still find parts and replacements all over for the compressor. Some other A/C components may or may not be 70 series parts. You should be able to test the clutch on the front to see if thats the issue.

Without seeing the valves on the compressor, I can't tell if it's R12 or R134a.

As you know, if A/C is low, then there is a leak somewhere.

 

[FJ73Texas]

Try out Coolstream in AZ. Their flyer shows that they service Sanden compressors.

https://www.coolstreamac.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/AAPAK-LINE-CARD-2019.pdf

MUD - Land Cruise Parts and Pricing, Coolstream Auto AC | Tucson AZ

 

[Honger]

Take a shot of the valves on the back of the compressor... with the caps off. Best way to tell if it's R12 or not. I'm guessing it is.
Also, is there a lead coming off the clutch coil to jumper?

I just bought a set of manifold gauges, a vacuum pump, and even a flushing tool. AC servicing isn't so hard. And a set of gauges would tell you if you even have gas in the system.

 

[Honger]

And such a cool truck! Nice find.
I'm gonna have to come visit and have a look-see next time I'm home visiting my folks in Topeka.

 

[Reinhardtius]

I like it! Kudos, and welcome.

 

[2fpower]

And such a cool truck! Nice find.
I'm gonna have to come visit and have a look-see next time I'm home visiting my folks in Topeka.

Give me a yell when you are close. I am about 55 minutes from Topeka. Always have a cold beer ready for a mud member.

 

[2fpower]

So coincidence or not??? I type Unicorn in the name of this thread in this forum and then when I go to Amazon this is suggested for me.....

 

[shellb]

Nice truck!

I like BaT and was glad to see you were able to get this one after the fact...always wondered if that happened post auction.

And that is no coincidence...amazon is all seeing! I'll offer to buy that sign for you/you're garage...it is spot on and too funny to pass up!

 

[hoser]

Maybe the first question I should have is if there is a FSM available?

I have the Toyota/VM engine manual and it does NOT have A/C information.

 

[2fpower]

I have the Toyota/VM engine manual and it does NOT have A/C information.

@hoser been a long time since I saw your name on the forum. Guess I have been playing in the dark corners. Thanks for the info!

 

[2fpower]

[/QUOTE] And that is no coincidence...amazon is all seeing! I'll offer to buy that sign for you/you're garage...it is spot on and too funny to pass up!
[/QUOTE

 

[Devils Paw 80]

That's a funny looking F engine ya got there!

What are your plans for re powering?

 

[2fpower]

That's a funny looking F engine ya got there!

What are your plans for re powering?

Yes, that would be the F'd up engine!

I am on the fence. SBC is my first thought. I have it in my 40 and enjoy the simplicity of it.

 

[2fpower]

A/c ports. @Honger @FJBen

 

[2fpower]

Ok, based on the model and the ports, looks like we have an R12 system. I have a couple cans left, but we know this is just going to pump it out as quick as I put it in, so it needs converted.

Info dump... if it holds pressure and will engage clutch, I might be able to convert to r134a

Replacement compressor for R134 with same size of SD508. Looks like mine is a PV7 or PV8 Groove -- will have to look tonight, DC12V.

 

[Honger]

A/c ports. @Honger @FJBen

View attachment 2065124

View attachment 2065125

Yes, R12.

This is just like the rear of my R12 Sanden compressor... mine is an SD-508 Model S8390. The goofballs replaced the factory Denso compressor on mine with a Sanden on a goofy adapter. The Denso probably gave up the ghost at some point in the past.

 

[Honger]

Ok, based on the model and the ports, looks like we have an R12 system. I have a couple cans left, but we know this is just going to pump it out as quick as I put it in, so it needs converted.

View attachment 2065174


Info dump... if it holds pressure and will engage clutch, I might be able to convert to r134a

View attachment 2065175


View attachment 2065176

View attachment 2065177

Replacement compressor for R134 with same size of SD508. Looks like mine is a PV7 or PV8 Groove -- will have to look tonight, DC12V.

View attachment 2065178

You are literally into the same job I'm halfway through right now. You've found some better Sanden literature than I managed to find. Thanks!

What I've managed to piece together so far...
1. You need to flush all the old oil form all the lines. I'm halfway done with that now... got slowed down by running out of flush solvent. The walkthrough above doesn't seem to indicate a thorough flushing of all old oil. But everything else I've read says you need to get most of it out.
2. You need to replace your expansion valve with an R134a unit... your current valve is likely R12 specific. And you can't run flush through the expansion valve. The walkthrough above doesn't mention anything about the expansion valve either. But a new Denso expansion valve is only around $25.
3. You'll need a new drier bottle. Covered above.
4. You'll need to drain as much oil as possible from the compressor. Covered above. Sanden 508's take standard PAG 100 as their replacement oil. Sanden has their own name for it above, but I found another document that listed the PAG 100 as suitable for the 508's.

Mine worked like a champ before it was discharged to swap out the front radiator support. So, like you, I'm trying the conversion. If that fails then I'll source a new R134a compressor.