Notices
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Another r134a conversion question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 29, 2011 | 02:38 PM
  #1  
Josed87's Avatar
Josed87
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Another r134a conversion question

Will the 94-96 air condition condenser really help my ac performance? I did a full conversion, new compressor, accumulator, red orifice tube, and flushed out my whole system. But my air condition is just okay, nothing like I know it can be. I have a 92 f150 which obviously was a r12 system, so will adding the r134a specefic condenser really help me that much more?

if do go with the r134a condenser ill also go threw with the new barrier hoses as well. Just trying to get some input from those who have more knowledge. Thanks in advance.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2011 | 03:47 PM
  #2  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
What are your current vent temperatures and pressures? Please let us know what the ambient temperature and humidity are as well. It makes a huge difference in diagnosing the problem.

How did you convert the system?

If you do go with a later model R134 condenser you will new hoses or hose ends to make it fit.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2011 | 05:19 PM
  #3  
Josed87's Avatar
Josed87
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
At idle on a 98 degree weather the vent temperature was at about 45 degrees. Not sure how it was once on the go. On the go my ac is cool, but not cold. Not sure what my pressure readings are, but my mechanic says everything is inline and where its supossed to be. So im just curious as to if it will make my ac system run COLD and not just cool.

I didnt do it myself, my very reliable mechanic did it. he flushed the whole system, condenser and evaporator as well as all the lines. Then he used the correct oil for the r134a and vacuumed down the system for 45 minutes. Then he charged it up with his gauges and he said everything was fine. But that most conversions dont cool as well, because theyre designed for r12.

yeah ive done the research about the fitting that goes to the evaporator needs to be changed on the new lines. But everything else is fine.
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2011 | 06:21 PM
  #4  
White 97 xlt's Avatar
White 97 xlt
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,728
Likes: 8
From: Cleveland, TN
A larger (more capacity) condenser is usually recommended and seems to work a little better than stock when changing over to 134a..
 
Reply
Old Jun 29, 2011 | 10:52 PM
  #5  
Redneck1465's Avatar
Redneck1465
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
We did hundreds litterally hundreds of these conversions at the shop and I never had one that wouldnt get really cold. Sounds to me like something else is off with your ac. My 89 taurus thats converted blows colder than my 08 G6
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:02 AM
  #6  
Josed87's Avatar
Josed87
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I think I might have an idea of whats going on. My evaporator core box used to be covered with insulation. And when I was doing some work I took it off, and it is not there anymore. Could the absence of the insulation be a problem? Are ya'lls trucks evaporator boxes insulated?
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:22 AM
  #7  
Jaime74656's Avatar
Jaime74656
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
im not entirely sure as i havent torn my ac appart yet (hey it gets nice and cold fast so i aint messin with it and the heat is almost instant in the winter time) but i would think the fact that you took the insulation off is going to effect temps because that insulator material keeps the cold in and heat out...for a simple explanation
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:28 AM
  #8  
Josed87's Avatar
Josed87
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
I completely understand. It seems simple enough, just wanted to see if other peoples trucks were insulated. If I do decide to reinsulate it, where do I get it? And what kind of insulation?
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 12:49 AM
  #9  
Jaime74656's Avatar
Jaime74656
Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 4,744
Likes: 5
From: Earth
not sure and I would think any respectable shop should be able to help, if not LMC truck may have it or NPD also might have it, again not 100% sure as i havent torn my AC appart yet...but a general rule of thumb is this "if its insulated its insulated for a damn good reason..." insulation is usually there to do one of two things 1) keep something in, or 2) keep something out.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:01 AM
  #10  
BIGskinny's Avatar
BIGskinny
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 403
Likes: 1
Not to hijack any body's thread here. I have a question relates to this swap. I have a 90 f1 and would like to switch to r134. Exactly what all do I need to swap out? I know the fittings are different. Thanks for any help.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 07:00 AM
  #11  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by Josed87
At idle on a 98 degree weather the vent temperature was at about 45 degrees. Not sure how it was once on the go. On the go my ac is cool, but not cold. Not sure what my pressure readings are, but my mechanic says everything is inline and where its supossed to be. So im just curious as to if it will make my ac system run COLD and not just cool.

I didnt do it myself, my very reliable mechanic did it. he flushed the whole system, condenser and evaporator as well as all the lines. Then he used the correct oil for the r134a and vacuumed down the system for 45 minutes. Then he charged it up with his gauges and he said everything was fine. But that most conversions dont cool as well, because theyre designed for r12.

yeah ive done the research about the fitting that goes to the evaporator needs to be changed on the new lines. But everything else is fine.
Without knowing what the pressures are I would say under the conditions you stated the vent temperatures are what I expect. A little high, but not unreasonable, especially if the humidity was very high as well. Make sure the condenser and radiator fins are clear of debris. Verify the fan clutch is working.

Also make sure the gasket between the grille and radiator support is intact. There are two more air deflectors that run vertically behind the grille that act as air deflectors too. Make sure those are in place. It is quite common to find debris in the evaporator box as well. It's not that tough to open up the blower case to inspect/clean.

I am not a fan of R12 to R-134a conversions. As stated by another poster, "We have done hundreds of these conversions" I can also find you hundreds of horror stories to the contrary. When I have found the need to overhaul a R12 system I use an alternative R12 replacement, AutoFrost/Freeze12/etc. or now that the R12 phase out craze is over purchase some of it at a reasonable price. Yes, R12 is still out there. All it takes is a simple online course and test (and $20) then you can get your own EPA609 certificate to purchase R12 in smaller containers.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 11:56 AM
  #12  
Josed87's Avatar
Josed87
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Well I checked for those deflectors, the ones between grille and radiator support are both there. but the ones that run vertically are not there. I wonder if theyre meant to be there on the f150's?

Next thing I wans figure out is if other peoples evaporator boxes are insulated. Ive tried searching and havent came up with anything.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 01:14 PM
  #13  
rla2005's Avatar
rla2005
Fleet Owner
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 20,789
Likes: 1,753
From: Kentucky
Yes the deflectors on there on the F150s as well. The insulation is common to all the F-series. The insulation is missing on my '92 F350. I am running R406a (AutoFrost) in it. With an ambient temperature of 95 and humidity in the high 80's my center vent temperature is running 38-40 degrees at idle. The pressures are very similar to R12, same for the cool down time. I like AutoFrost, but now that R12 is easier to find for a reasonable price I would probably use it if I needed to service it again.
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:10 PM
  #14  
firewood truck's Avatar
firewood truck
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Charm City
As I read this thread, the main question that pops into my head is- how cold are you trying to make the cab of your truck?? If it's 95* outside and you have it down to 50* on the inside, that's a 45* difference. My house feels comfortable at 68* when it's in the 90's outside.

I just repaired/converted the AC system in my old F250, I was because I was able to get the inside down to 48* on a 95* day. Should I not be celebrating so much? Should the truck be colder than that on the inside?
 
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2011 | 10:15 PM
  #15  
Redneck1465's Avatar
Redneck1465
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 1
Personnally as long as the conversions are done properly by someone who knows that they are doing I don't see any issue with converting them.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
bigperm2
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Feb 28, 2016 06:53 AM
HoustonDave
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Oct 1, 2015 03:17 PM
HoustonDave
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
0
Sep 1, 2015 02:52 PM
thekingofcows
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
16
Jun 25, 2015 08:33 PM
timbersteel
Cooling, Heating, Ventilation & A/C
0
Jun 11, 2015 08:44 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:05 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE