No A/C to Factor A/C
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Joined: Jan 2008
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No A/C to Factor A/C
My 1978 Ford Truck did not come with factory A/C. I would like to go to the junk yard this weekend to buy everything in order to have an A/C. Can anyone help me out? Does anyone have a list or picture of everything I need to be sure and grab? Any helpful tricks, tips, notes that I should remember. Does the firewall have to change or can I make the current one work?
Also, it did not come with power steering so I want to be sure and pull all of that as well. If you have any additional help regarding the power steering it would be greatly appreciated.
1978 Ford Truck
351M C6
Thanks
William in Oklahoma
Also, it did not come with power steering so I want to be sure and pull all of that as well. If you have any additional help regarding the power steering it would be greatly appreciated.
1978 Ford Truck
351M C6
Thanks
William in Oklahoma
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,134
Likes: 1
From: Mississippi
You will have to cut a hole in your firewall for the blower/core etc. You might be better off if you could find a dealer installed A/C unit, I think it installs under the dash. Check LMC's online catalog for parts blowups.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 5,037
Likes: 9
From: Kasson, Minnesota
It's doable, just time consuming. You'll need the "big black box" under the hood with the including lines and the cooling coil assembly from inside along with all the duct work inside, controls, dash (or cut holes in yours) and vents. I'd suggest getting a new evaporator, condenser and heater core. Of course you'll need the compressor which you'll probably have to rebuild or get a rebuilt one, but grab the old compressor to possibly use as a core. Make sure you get the brackets and pulleys to accomodate A/C. I think that's it. Like said above, you'll have to cut a hole in your firewall to accept the factory A/C box. Make a template of the hole from the donor truck and then apply the template to yours than cut the hole. Some people have cut out the section of the firewall from A/C donor trucks and have grafted them in to their non-a/c trucks. I'd suggest taking the fender and inner fender off the passenger side to get more access to the firewall in your truck.
If you aren't sure if you need something from the donor truck, just get it. It's better to have more than not have everything. Also, you might want to pull the wire harness so you can wire what you need to your truck.
If all this sounds like too much work, you can always consider an aftermarket underdash unit.
If you aren't sure if you need something from the donor truck, just get it. It's better to have more than not have everything. Also, you might want to pull the wire harness so you can wire what you need to your truck.
If all this sounds like too much work, you can always consider an aftermarket underdash unit.
