So, I decided to give it a whirl... it was $20 so what the heck!?

Here's the valve (I had picked one off a Ranger, but the diaphragm was bad):



Here's where I'm gonna put it:


Here it is installed:




Down under the passenger's side of the dash is where I "T'd" into the white vacuum line:


A closeup of the whole thing... I managed to save the vacuum lines and a "T" off the the Ranger I got the first valve from so it all looks OEM:


I drilled a hole though the rubber grommet beside the black one that was already in there. It's tricky to find it, but all you have to do is reach behind the inner fender well through the wheel opening and fish around in there for awhile. I found that the valve drops the temperatures about 10*! WOW!!! Not bad for $20... now if I can just get my system cleaned out, I'll be set! PM if you have any questions!

 

hmmmm...not familiar with this mod, but you're saying this can help out AC system? And get about 10 degrees cooler? Considering it's going to be 90 this weekend in Ohio you may be my new best friend

What exactly is the part that you purchased?

Thanks for your information!

 

roverjoe,

The heater core (inside the box under the instrument panel on the passenger's side) has hot coolant running through it all the time. The air conditioner evaporator coil is also in there. Ford controls the temperature of the output duct air by "mixing" the air coming through both those cores.

If you want MAXIMUM-COLD air, you need to shut off the engine coolant running through the heater core. That's what this valve does when in the MAX A/C position.

There are other ways of doing this, including installing a manual valve in a heater hose, but this is automatic, and only in MAX.

This "mod" came from the factory in Excursions.

Pop

 

I like the flow thru valve that is used, vs the shutoff.

2004 F250 Cold AC Mod Information

Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums - View Single Post - Heater Inlet Hose

http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...S&Category=578

 

Just as a side note, I wasn't able to find this part at Napa or CarQuest... all they had was the one way valve. The only place I could find that had the valve was Advanced... you can also get it at Auto-Zone. Both of the them have the valve under the same part number, #74809. Just remember to get some vacuum line while you're in there!

 

Will this mod work on gassers?

 

I believe so... someone "should" pipe up here in a bit and verify it, though.

 

Sure, and for the same reasons.

The engines are different, but the heater/AC system is exactly the same.

Pop

 

This is certainly on my to-do-list. I see other versions of this mod done with valves that just "shut off" the flow. It looks like the Ranger valve re-routes the flow of coolant.

Are the inlets/outlets on the Ranger valve marked?

 

On my valve, it was marked just to maintain OEM orientation, but it can be used either way.

 

is there some way to put it on to where you can control the valve not just on max? like with a switch.

 

I have a 99 F250 SD with the Triton V8 will this help this out also? The a/c isn't very good it blows just not as cold as I would think it should.

 

Good writup.

I have contemplated doing this mod on my 04' but honestly I have mixed feelings as whether its worth it. The reason I say that is my dad has an 03' thats identical to my truck in every way except its a CC and his came with this vaccum switch to cutoff the coolant flow. My truck didn't come with the switch but my A/C is quite a bit colder than his. Both trucks owned since new.

A before and after temperature reading at the vents may make me do the mod. Need to see some evidence that its worth it.

 

For all the gas truck owners out there.... pop the hood and take a look before buying any of these valves --- you might already have one.

I bought the valve to install and went to do it and, surprise, there was already one there from the factory.

Here's some info I put together about this:
2004 F250 Cold AC Mod Information

Here's the valve on mine:

 

Hmm. They must put them on CC only from the factory. Mine is an 04' SC and doesn't have the valve. Guess its because of the extra cu ft of the CC.