Has anyone ever added factory AC to a base '85 F-150 that did not have it ? I'm trying to add it to mine as the summers in Georgia are HOT. Are the wiring harnesses all the same across all models, i.e., XLT, Custom, XL and Base cab ? My truck started out life as a U-haul pickup and was purchased at auction many years ago by a family in N.GA, I'm third owner ( for 2 years). So adding a custom stereo system seemed like a good idea but as i started the project and added tilt column, etc, things got a little out of hand. But I'm too deep into it now to quit so looking for any experienced help. It's a 351V8, auto trans, 4WD, short bed and not much else other than temporarily rotted out floor pans. any help is appreciated. thanks.

 

You have a problem. The A/C trucks were quite different from the non-A/C trucks. So much so, that when someone back in the day wanted A/C like you do, they had a "dealer kit" they installed to add A/C to a non A/C truck.

Fast forward 35 years later, there are no "dealer kits" anymore that I know of. You will have to treat your truck like a classic car or hot rod, and use one of those universal type kits to get the A/C in there. Here's one of a few aftermarket A/C suppliers. https://www.vintageair.com/builder-series/

Here's a universal kit on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/i/264187019446?...YaArM0EALw_wcB

 

It has been done before, but it's a fairly big job that requires a lot of parts from a donor truck that had factory AC. I have everything to do it on my 1984, and if all goes well will get it done this spring. The biggest issue is that you will have to modify the firewall a little bit (cutting holes, etc). In the Bullnose era, the base model truck with no AC and a truck with AC actually had different cabs. The second issue is locating all of the AC parts that you need.

I got a whole AC dash along with ductwork and HVAC box from a 1986 F250 that was being parted out locally. It came from a dual tank truck, so while I can use the control panel, I would like to find one at some point for a single tank truck.



If you can get your hands on a complete AC wiring harness, it should plug right into your base model truck main wiring harness.

I got the pump and brackets for a 302 on Ebay.



I got some other lines and miscellaneous pieces from a 1983 F150 that a guy was stripping, and the last piece of the puzzle was a crank pulley with the extra belt groove to drive the AC pump. The base model trucks did not have the extra groove pulley.

So I can answer some questions, but since I have not actually installed all of this stuff yet, I may not be able to help with everything. You need a LOT of parts...lol.

I have saved some pictures of custom installs with new aftermarket AC systems, and they work well, but they are expensive and require lots of modifications on their own.

 

Yep different fire walls
2 hole non-AC fire wall

3 hole AC fire wall

3 hole over the top of the 2 hole fire wall

As Cory said you need to cut that bigger hole and a few others for bolts IIRC.
I went with swapping the fire walls and cut the 2 hole out and welded in the 3 hole.




Not everyone can do what I did be it skill, tools and parts. I had a AC truck that all the cab parts came from.

As said you will need the dash, duct work and HVAC controls from a AC truck and that will bolt into your cab.
As for the wiring this is an add on harness. Non-AC harness just plugs the blower motor together.
The AC harness goes between that plug and then out through the fire wall to the blower motor & compressor.
Oh you will also need the HVAC box both inside the cab and engine bay side.

Here is the engine bay side less the compressor, did not have it yet and also found had the wrong water pump pulley.

The condenser you can get new dose not fit with out a little modding, just some spacers mostly.
Dave ----

 

I've done it. So great to have the factory AC. Yes it's a big job. I just measured where the additional firewall openings are and cut it with a jig saw. Also, the entire pressure system: evaporator, condenser, compressor, can be removed from the donor in one piece without depressurizing, and then drop it into your truck.

 

Great info. I’m too deep into this now to turn back. I believe I’ve located a complete dash harness and an AC harness under hood plus the AC box under hood and in one behind dash. Ive not yet found a mounting bracket or compressor for my 351. My truck must have had an aftermarket system at some point in the past. I have the grooved crank & PS & alternator pulleys and a Funkey little compressor and some plumbing for an AC under the hood just not a complete system. Also have a Lariat steering column & wheel coming soon. Not sure my 351 is W or C but breather cover says HO and my son says if HO could be a real problem. I’m glad I came across
y’all am sure I’ll be back asking for more advice. If anyone has a line on a working compressor & mount it’ll help. Also how difficult is it to remove the entire dash like I see ???

 

351 H.O. was only available in 1985-1986 and it is a 351W. In the Bullnose trucks, 1980-1981 had the 351M, and then 1982-1986 had the 351W. The only difference between the regular 351W and the 351W HO was that the HO had a 4bbl carb and a different cam.

So in short the 351W HO presents no problem as far as adding AC is concerned.

 

OK and Thanks that’ll help me.

 

Glad I tapped into y’all. Big help. Thanks. I’ll be back.

 

If you have a compressor & mount now why not find a replacement compressor and use the mount you h a ve now?
Dave ----

 

Good thought. When I think of compressors I think of the big Sanden or York type. This one is 1/2 that size. But you could be right, it might just work. For me I don’t use ac much, I like the 260 kind except in the hottest days of GA summers. If the compressor doesn’t work I don’t think it’s mount will do for a regular one though. Man I appreciate your suggestion, I’ll go with this one unless I discover it won’t work. Thanks again.

 

well OK. I’ll locate a compressor just for fitment purposes. I know where an old Sanden is. I’ll be back. Thanks !
Drew.

 

There is a third way--you could retrofit dealer A/C from a junkyard vehicle. I've come across a couple before.

 

I would think that would be hard to find now days being everything comes with AC.

As for compressor size remember the cabs are pretty small so I would think they don't need a really big one but I am not sure.
I got mine used from the JY think it cam off a 85 or 86 truck IIRC so guess it would be "normal size" what ever that is.
My truck came with the big square York compressor but I only had part of the mounting bracket.
They make an adaptor to use the York brackets and the newer style compressor, can find it on Ebay if all you can find is a York bracket setup.
Dave ----

 

Hard, but not impossible to find. Between Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and all the junkyards in a 50 mile radius, I find most things I need. There are still plenty or at least comparatively plenty of 80s trucks in my yards.