When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've been wanting to get a high top for awhile now. But I never liked the cost of the new ones, so I thought I'd keep an eye out for a good one at the junkyard. And today was the day!
I actually didn't go there for the high top, I went to get the windshield cowl with newer washer nozzles, and newer wiper arms(while the newer, 2007+ have a different part numbers, they fit fine on a 2002). The van at the yard is a 2012, and mine is a 2002. Just so happens it had a great condition high top, with an inside mounted heater-a/c unit in the top. Managed to snag the whole thing for $115, plus new tools.
Turns out, the entire thing is glued to the metal. So after fighting it for several hours, I decided to buy a Sawzall and just cut the entire thing off at the pillars, and work out the detailed bits at home.
I have 1 question as of right now: The engine was already removed on this van, so I couldn't see how the A/C and heater lines connected for the rear heat-a/c unit. While it's easy enough to T into the coolant lines, does anyone know the preferred spot to do this? And how do the A/C lines connect?
If the donor van had factory A/C & heat there are specific parts that would be part of the package. If it was an aftermarket system whoever supplied or manufactured it would have the parts or a list for what's needed.
If the donor van had factory A/C & heat there are specific parts that would be part of the package. If it was an aftermarket system whoever supplied or manufactured it would have the parts or a list for what's needed.
The donor van (in the pic) was a conversion with high top and seats. The rear heat-a/c was mounted in the high top, and is certainly aftermarket. But the dash has the factory controls for the rear. So I don't know if it came with rear initially or not.
I would think the same as JWA. The factory controls for the stock rear air/heat probably worked with it.
Fantastic score on the top!!!
What did you use to cut the top? I figured that would be the best way to get one off.
I sold a van with an aftermarket A/C & heat unit mounted to a short section of roof over the rear doors up in the high top. the heater hoses came up between the 3rd & last window on the driver's side through the floor (just like the ones that serve a floor rear heater in the passenger van). The drains ran down the pillars at the rear corners of the van, either side of the rear doors. there was one inline fuse back there that had me stymied when the system stopped working so you might want to look for one of those in the wiring, put a fresh one in and make sure it'll be accessible.
I would think the same as JWA. The factory controls for the stock rear air/heat probably worked with it.
Fantastic score on the top!!!
What did you use to cut the top? I figured that would be the best way to get one off.
I bought a Milwaukee M18 Sawzall. Which was way more fun than I anticipated.
Originally Posted by dziwei
I sold a van with an aftermarket A/C & heat unit mounted to a short section of roof over the rear doors up in the high top. the heater hoses came up between the 3rd & last window on the driver's side through the floor (just like the ones that serve a floor rear heater in the passenger van). The drains ran down the pillars at the rear corners of the van, either side of the rear doors. there was one inline fuse back there that had me stymied when the system stopped working so you might want to look for one of those in the wiring, put a fresh one in and make sure it'll be accessible.
great find!
Yes, there are inline fuses. I grabbed the entire wire harness with it. I ended up cutting the heater and a/c hoses, as they were too difficult to pull out, and I figured I could stand to get new rubber lines anyways. And yes, this was setup as you described, with drains down the rear pillars and such.
In my minivan, the rear climate controls are separate from the front. Looking at a few of these E350 club wagons and such, it appears that the only control for the rear is the fan, and all temp settings are based off the front control. Does that sound correct? This makes me assume a/c is either on or off, while heat is somewhat controlled by the vacuum valve that was under the body in the rear line.
Ours had no fan setting at the back, all control was from the dash that looked just like factory rear heat A/C controls, can't remember if it had the 'rear control' setting.
Ours had no fan setting at the back, all control was from the dash that looked just like factory rear heat A/C controls, can't remember if it had the 'rear control' setting.
Yes, that's what I'm saying. There was nothing in the back. My minivan, a Freestar, has separate rear controls in the front and rear. I didn't notice any such in any Econoline.
If it had rear air/heat, it came from ford with a "conversion package". It was sold to the converter with everything needed for the rear heat/air so the conversion co. could put their aftermarket unit in. there are also other mods from ford for the conversion pkg. (usually a cardboard drivers seat) and wiring for aftermarket option.
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.
