I hoping someone has done a retrofit of the A/C on a 1993 F-150 5.0 4wd truck. I need to know how much R-134a you used to refill the A/C system (hopefully in ounces). The labels for the A/C are missing on my truck so I can't check the labels for the R-12 refill requirement so I can add 80% of R-134a. Thanks.

 

My sticker says 2 lbs 12 oz of r12. A caveat though, if you do a quick and dirty swap it won't work very well. There several threads on this topic, I know this because that is what I did, now have to go back and replace condenser, accum. Drier, and lines. I only get duct air temp of 52 degrees on max air 99degree day. So much for shortcuts.

 

I havent done it on a OBS, but I did it on a 88 Civic several years ago. I just bought the kit from Wally World at the time. Didnt change anything other than a fitting. Instructions tell you how to figure out the amount of freon based on your current system. That thing blew ice cold through 100 degree Kansas City summer like a champ. I know results vary, but worked wonders for me.

 

First you need to have the system evacuated. R12 and r134a don't work mixed. Once you do that I'd install a orface tube. Install a 134a fitting and it will work. Not so great at stop without a fan shroud but it does cool well on the highway.

 

Box store AC retro-fit kits may work for a time, but they are not the way to correctly fix the issue.

To properly fix an AC system, the system needs to be completely evacuated, then vacuumed free of any contaminants before recharging. So if a retro-fit kit is all that's going to be done, at least go to an AC shop and let them clear the lines for you, that way you're starting with a clean system. Weather or not the seals hold the charge will remain to be seen...


This is a task I am contemplating for my truck. I plan to replace the entire system with new components. Not sure when I'll get to it...

 

If you wanna do it right, you gotta replace everything except the compressor and evap core with R134a-compatible components. You can choose to go anywhere between that and a quickie retrofit kit. Generally speaking, the more you spend up front, the longer the cool air will last.