Quick update here. I got a set of gauges and took readings with the engine off and cold (55 deg ambient), engine running and AC off, engine running and max AC, and engine running and AC off again. I also found a PID in Forscan Lite where I could read the Evap output temp, which was in the low 70s while driving. Double what it should be.

The low side was pretty highly pressurized while the high side was only marginally high in all scenarios. I started to think about how gasses flow and what would cause both sides to be abnormal. I narrowed it down to either the condenser or the expansion valve (TXV).

Seeing that refrigerant was making it through to the evap, even for a short time, led me to believe it was not the condenser. I confirmed that after driving on the highway and the AC still wouldn't run properly. It clearly wasn't an airflow cooling issue. Also considering that the low side was under such high pressure before making it back to the compressor, I figured it had to be between evap and compressor: TXV. $60 part at the Ford house.

The new unit took about 45 minutes to install and came with only 2 new O rings that did not fit the AC lines. So I reused O rings. I had refrigerant recovered at Firestone and went back to have the rest of the service completed. It held vacuum and passed all tests, recharged, and was on my way. Now the evap reads 35-40 degrees and I have freezing cold AC just in time for it to be 50 degrees outside and not need it.

Thanks for all your input