I have a 77 F-150 4x4 with a 400M and C6 that originally had A.C. that one of the previous owners pulled out, all that’s left is the box near the dash, a couple of hoses, and the bracket for the compressor. I now want to get A.C. in the truck cause GA summers get humid. I wanted to know if anyone has gone through this and have advice on best way to get A.C. back in the truck, put the old system back together or buy an aftermarket unit? I have found the aftermarket units for about $900, and since I’ve never dealt with A.C. systems before, I’m not sure if that is cheaper than parting together the old system. Any words of wisdom are greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

The original a/c unit seemingly takes up half of the engine compartment. That's probably why they removed it. It gets in the way of a bunch of things on the passenger side of the engine. There is one pushrod back there that can't be removed.

Anyway, you have two choices. I would think that it would not be too difficult and would be economical to find a wrecking yard truck and just take everything off of it and piece together a unit. This would be the most economical, and would keep the truck original, if that's of any interest to you.

The downsides to this approach are; you will be putting that bulky thing back in your engine compartment, you will be using a compressor that will not convert very well to 134, requiring the use of 12. The R12 thing is not as big of a problem as it used to be, since R12 prices are coming down. Even with lower R12 prices, you will have to go online to imaca.org or one of the other sites where you take an online, open book test for $15 so that you can buy R12.

The other choice, is as you mentioned, an aftermarket system. The downside would be that you will move the unit under the dash. SOooo... the bulk would be in the cab rather than under the hood. The upside to aftermarket is that it will probably use a Sanden compressor which is a great compressor and it will use 134.

To make the decision, the big thing is where do you want the bulkiness, under the hood or under the dash. It could be, however, that one of the aftermarket kits can be put behind the dash, although I don't know where it could fit. Also whether or not you wish to keep the truck original also plays into this as well as the money. I would think a wrecking yard system could be had VERY cheap, thus making the R12 expense a non issue.

Hope this helps.

 

Like MBDiagMan said, the big issue is where you want to sacrifice room. I bought everything incliding the a/c dash for around $100 from the graveyard.
The R-12/ R-134a issue in my experience is nothing. I have converted 2 vehicles without incident.

 

In many cases converting to 134 is a non issue, but there are many variables. To begin with, if you live in a hot climate like Texas or Georgia, the 15% loss in cooling capacity with some systems is not practical. In the case of these trucks, the small cab doesn't need much cooling capacity, so that's no problem. The variable that IS a problem with these sytems and 134 is the fact that the old York and Tecumsehs do not hold up well at all when converted to 134 due to the higher head pressure.

R12 is not a problem. Just go to imaca.org or one of a myriad of sites, spend $15 and a few hours and you will have 609 certification to legally buy R12. There are many internet sites that sell recovered and recycled R12. You can even buy it at NAPA if you are willing to pay $25 or so a can. They are soaking the public at this price but at least it's available.

Paying a little extra for refrigerant is well worth it as compared to knocking out a compressor or other problems associated with the junk refrigerants. Stick with 12 or if your system is a good candidate for conversion, 134.

 

I was in the same situation as you. I have a 77 f250 that the previous owner gutted out the AC. I looked around for an original AC but proved to be very difficult to find in NC. I ended up buying an aftermarket condensor, compressor, and mounting hardware for $400. I did not have to reroute anything and used the existing hoses, vents and controls. I did not install the AC myself because I work to much (or else I would of tried). I had a guy at a local AC shop put in the AC for me.

I bought my AC stuff at http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/index.php

 

Thanks for all the advice. So far as staying original, it doesn't matter to me. I need somthing that works well and will hold up, but I prefer to keep it in the dash or under the hood. 77f250guy which compressor did you get and how much did it cost to get installed? That seems like the best of both worlds, new parts that work well and the inside of the cab looks no different. Thanks again for the help.

 

Yes, I agree, if it looks original in the cab and works well, that is a wonderful compromise.

My own truck is a different situation since it was the first vehicle that my wife and I ever bought new. She is into this project and we both agree that we want the truck as original as we can make it.

For your case, it sounds like you are using the truck for practical uses. If you can get a kit that mounts a Sanden compressor the 134 will be very practical.

Best of luck with it,

 

Rght now I don't know which compressor I bought (Currently deployed). I just recently bought the AC system and left my truck at the shop to get installed. It should be ready by the time I get back later on this week. The quote I got was $300 to get it installed. I called the internet supplier and told NOSTALGIC air parts what I wanted and they supplied it to me. They make the mounts and pulleys for older trucks like ours and have the compressor combinations needed.
I first went to the AC shop and told them what I wanted and the shop looked at my truck making sure that they could use the hoses left behind by the original AC. I probably could of done the work myself but I did not have time for it.
If you wait for about a week I could email you pictures or tell you what compressor I bought and tell you how the AC works.

 

junkyards tend to be your friend with these trucks. parts are cheaper and can usually find some stuff not sold in stores or catalogs

 

77f250guy please let me know how it works when you get home. I've got three weeks before I get back to my truck, so I'm in no real hurry. Thanks.

 

Bigskenney, I put a couple pictures in my album of my dealer installed ac.My glove box is out so you can see the evaporater housing.I cant seem to move pics to thread

 

bigskenney:
No problem will give an update on how it works out.

 

Well I just got my truck back with the new AC in it. It works fairly well and impressed. It blows cold air out but it takes a little bit to cool the cab. At the same time the original cab has only 3 vents. If I compare it to my 2006 Ford it does not cool as good but good enough for 3 vents. I'm still using the original controls. If I had aftermarket controls I'm sure that it would work just a little better. I'm thinking about adding an extra vent on the drivers side, under the dash to cool me down as I drive since it does not have one there.
As for the cost it was a little bit more to install. Most of the AC hoses were rotten and had to be replaced. Overall I'm happy with the AC. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same. If you want I can try to post pictures in my gallery later on this weekend.

 

There should be absolutely no need for an extra vent to keep you cool. I expect that your system is either not charged properly, or the condensor is too small. If it is now a 134 system, the charging process usually involves a little trial and error, and the tech should be watching high side pressure very closely.

If the system is still 12, then charge by the sight glass. Once the sight glass is absolutely clear and pressures are reasonable, it should make ice cubes.

In that small cab, most any a/c that you could put in there that is charged properly should have you reaching for the controls because you are too cold.

Probably just a little more fussing with the charge will get your toes nice and frosty.

Good luck,

 

There will be an AC plenum assembly for sale on ebay tomorrow (Sept 9, 07) afternoon before 3pm ebay time for a 73-79 ford truck
my friend has a listing scheduled to start then.