Cold A/C Mod/Ranger Valve Mod WITH Pictures!
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,215
Likes: 7
From: WV
If you're talking about the factory valve..... I checked it with the engine running and the valve is in one position for all heater/AC settings except "MAX AC". In MAX AC, the valve moves to the other position. You could probably check the add-on valve the same way.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Canberra Australia
additional information.
It is now high summer down under, +100 temps. I'm finding my 2003 = CC I have to have the max a/c setting + the temp dial set way down at coldest setting, 7 o'clock, to get any sort of cooling to occur.
Just checked the hoses to the heater element - no valve is present on either hoses between their entry into the firewall and the coming out of the ends of the block.
I'd like to do the Ranger Valve Mod to increase my a/c cooling and decrease unnecessary load on the a/c compressor and other cooling components. Making the system more efficient has got to equate to less wear and tear and therefore slightly better MPGs when the a/c is running compared to the stock set up.
It is now high summer down under, +100 temps. I'm finding my 2003 = CC I have to have the max a/c setting + the temp dial set way down at coldest setting, 7 o'clock, to get any sort of cooling to occur.
Just checked the hoses to the heater element - no valve is present on either hoses between their entry into the firewall and the coming out of the ends of the block.
I'd like to do the Ranger Valve Mod to increase my a/c cooling and decrease unnecessary load on the a/c compressor and other cooling components. Making the system more efficient has got to equate to less wear and tear and therefore slightly better MPGs when the a/c is running compared to the stock set up.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 721
Likes: 1
So, I decided to give it a whirl... it was $20 so what the heck!?
Here's the valve (I had picked one off a Ranger, but the diaphragm was bad):
Here's where I'm gonna put it:
Here it is installed:
Down under the passenger's side of the dash is where I "T'd" into the white vacuum line:
A closeup of the whole thing... I managed to save the vacuum lines and a "T" off the the Ranger I got the first valve from so it all looks OEM:
I drilled a hole though the rubber grommet beside the black one that was already in there. It's tricky to find it, but all you have to do is reach behind the inner fender well through the wheel opening and fish around in there for awhile. I found that the valve drops the temperatures about 10*! WOW!!! Not bad for $20... now if I can just get my system cleaned out, I'll be set! PM if you have any questions!
Here's the valve (I had picked one off a Ranger, but the diaphragm was bad):
Here's where I'm gonna put it:
Here it is installed:
Down under the passenger's side of the dash is where I "T'd" into the white vacuum line:
A closeup of the whole thing... I managed to save the vacuum lines and a "T" off the the Ranger I got the first valve from so it all looks OEM:
I drilled a hole though the rubber grommet beside the black one that was already in there. It's tricky to find it, but all you have to do is reach behind the inner fender well through the wheel opening and fish around in there for awhile. I found that the valve drops the temperatures about 10*! WOW!!! Not bad for $20... now if I can just get my system cleaned out, I'll be set! PM if you have any questions!
In the last picture here, you mentioned you salvaged the vacuum lines and the "T" off of the Ranger. From what specific area did the "T" and the vacuum lines come off of? I might look into buying these from my local dealer if I can figure out where these parts are found and from what year Ranger.
Thanks,
Drake
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
Man, it's been so long I can't remember, all I know is the line and T are what were attached to the valve. I would imagine if the parts guy looked it up, he'd be able to see that line and T?
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 1
From: Pocatello, Idaho
Hello and great post, I don't use my A/C very often(this truck is the first vehicle I've owned with A/C). I mostly just use the vent, I'm just used to driving with the windows down. But I do notice that when I have the fan going the air blows warmer then the outside temp. and reading this posts about the coolent always flowing through the heater core then it is always heating up the air until I use the A/C.
So can I just install a shut off valve to shut off the flow of coolent to the heater core until I want heat? And will it make my vent temp a bit cooler by not blowing warm air from the heater core? The pic from 1975StroppeBaja posted of the stock valve, is this a good location for the shut off valve? I don't have a vacuum valve on my truck.
Thanks.
So can I just install a shut off valve to shut off the flow of coolent to the heater core until I want heat? And will it make my vent temp a bit cooler by not blowing warm air from the heater core? The pic from 1975StroppeBaja posted of the stock valve, is this a good location for the shut off valve? I don't have a vacuum valve on my truck.
Thanks.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
Shawn,
Under the conditions in which you use yours, I'd say a manual shut-off valve would be the way to go.
Those of us that have ours on and off a lot should probably have something a little more automatic. I've had a vacuum-operated valve in mine for about six years and it works as well today as the day I installed it.
Pop
Under the conditions in which you use yours, I'd say a manual shut-off valve would be the way to go.
Those of us that have ours on and off a lot should probably have something a little more automatic. I've had a vacuum-operated valve in mine for about six years and it works as well today as the day I installed it.
Pop
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
Here are the parts I bought from Autozone if anyone wants to just go buy the parts off the shelf.
I built a simple heat sheild for the valve since the diaphragm faces the exhaust. Not sure if it is really needed but it didn't take long and I had the tin laying around.
3' of Vacum Line which is just long enough.
Connectors
F Connector
Valve Installed
Inside connection at the white line.
I built a simple heat sheild for the valve since the diaphragm faces the exhaust. Not sure if it is really needed but it didn't take long and I had the tin laying around.
3' of Vacum Line which is just long enough.
Connectors
F Connector
Valve Installed
Inside connection at the white line.
New User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Can anyone offer more guidance on how to install the mod at the "Inside connection at the white line"? I picked up all of the parts at Autozone and would like to get it done this week, but after re-reading the thread I don't feel like I know how everything gets hooked up. Thanks in advance
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,265
Likes: 2
From: Garden City, KS
I robbed the line and T off the Ranger I got the first valve off of... made it alot easier, but I'm not sure how you could do it with parts store parts. But just T in with the white line under the dash and you'll be good... if you look at it, you'll see what we mean.
