adding a/c from your 3.4 donor vehicle?

isaac338 · 01-23-2008, 04:14 PM

has anyone done this? my buddy rolled his taco and he's offering me free reign at whatever parts i want. i'm going to do a 3.4 swap, and having a/c would be the icing on the cake.

what parts do i need to grab from him? does it tie into the 89-95 pickup hvac stuff easily? is it just a dumb idea?

thanks for any advice,

isaac

***waskillywabbit*** · 01-23-2008, 04:23 PM

The 3.4 parts list is on the ORS website.

isaac338 · 01-23-2008, 04:38 PM

thanks wabbit.. the only mention of the a/c on the ORS list is the a/c compressor. what about the condenser?

maybe i'm not looking in the right place?

**Elvota** · 01-23-2008, 04:46 PM

I'll be watching this thread to see what turns up... but this is what I know, or think I know.

The 3.4 and 3.0 compressors are very similiar.

The 3.0 systems mostly run R12, the 3.4 systems run R134.

Evidently, the top plates on both compressors are exchangeable. Meaning... you can swap the line fittings onto your 3.4 compressor or vice versa.

Since the 3.0 compressor fits on the 3.4 block, you can retain your 3.0 system if you wish by simply swapping the compressors. I have heard you don't even have to disconnect any line or recharge the system to acheive this.

There is something different about the 3.0 and 3.4 "AC circuit boards". I don't know what they are or what the exact difference is though... nor what the work around is. Maybe Fallguy will chime in. I believe he has done some of this AC work.

My 4Runner had factory air, but I broke a line sometime before the swap. My thought is to upgrade the system to R134 and use the 3.4 compressor since R134 seems to be easier to get a hold of. But I know some internal O-Rings from R12 systems can leak prematurely or will need to be swapped out.

Don't know if all this helped much... but maybe this thread will go somewhere that will let us all figure out what needs to be done.

isaac338 · 01-23-2008, 04:49 PM

i probably should add my truck has no a/c at all right now - so the options are use the system in its entirety from the taco, or get myself a junkyard system out of my generation truck.

**Elvota** · 01-23-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaac338

i probably should add my truck has no a/c at all right now -

Thats gonna make it a bit more complicated.

Seems to me your best bet would be an entire system from a similar year vehicle. That way everything is going to fit and route like the factory setup.

Since the compressors are in the same place, you should be good to go. Seeing you'll be using the R134 compressor from the 3.4, it would be a good time to upgrade all the O-Rings and related internals for the different juice.

isaac338 · 01-23-2008, 05:05 PM

yeah, damn, seemed too good to be true. i'll see what i can find in the local wreckers - a quick look on car-part looks like it'll be expensive, though.

oh well, i'll just roll down the windows and go really fast. haha

yeah 3.4 power!

breknraj · 01-23-2008, 06:35 PM

Basically, the only part from the Taco that you can use (that will bolt on, with no modification), is the compressor. You'll need parts that will fit your body style (3rd gen truck, 2nd gen Runner).

I used the compressor from the Taco, with condenser, drier, and plumbing from a '95 Runner, and an evaporator and duct from a '91 truck. I had to have the fittings custom done between the truck evap fittings to the Runner plumbing. I used the fittings from the Runner evap to modify the truck evap fittings. And, yes, truck and Runner evaps and the ducts they sit in are different. I also had to modify my sheet metal cross brace (in front of the radiator) to accept the Runner condenser.

I did all this, and got the system charged up with R-134, and it will nearly freeze me out of the cab!

If I had it to do over, I would try to find a '94 or '95 truck (that had had R-134 in it, already), that still had an intact A/C system on it, and strip it out to use on my truck.

RobD · 01-23-2008, 10:24 PM

Timely post, as my 4Runner has no A/C, so when I picked up the 3.4, I made sure it had a compressor. I also bought a switch off eBay!

Now all I need are the condensor, drier, evaporator, and A/C amplifier. And hoses...

So, should be easy to do!

Hahahaha...

breknraj · 01-24-2008, 05:09 PM

RobD, if you can find a '94 or '95 Runner with those parts, it should be a pretty easy install for you, and everything will be R-134 compatible.

isaac338 · 01-24-2008, 05:51 PM

I found a guy locally selling the system off a 92, but presumably that's no good since it's still r12. Are the conversion kits any good or should I just stick to r134a?

breknraj · 01-24-2008, 07:51 PM

You could use that system, and just swap the drive pulley to the 3.4 set up, but I'm not sure about the efficiency of a 134 conversion, and R-12 is WAY pricey to get ahold of, these days.

isaac338 · 01-25-2008, 07:13 AM

just realized the 92 gear is out of a 2-door 4runner, which as you say has a different evaporator, so it likely won't work. the hunt continues...

RobD · 01-25-2008, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by breknraj

RobD, if you can find a '94 or '95 Runner with those parts, it should be a pretty easy install for you, and everything will be R-134 compatible.

I found the evap from a 95, I think. Going to swing by today and see if it's still there. Then it's only a few more parts...

01-23-2008, 04:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	adding a/c from your 3.4 donor vehicle? has anyone done this? my buddy rolled his taco and he's offering me free reign at whatever parts i want. i'm going to do a 3.4 swap, and having a/c would be the icing on the cake. what parts do i need to grab from him? does it tie into the 89-95 pickup hvac stuff easily? is it just a dumb idea? thanks for any advice, isaac __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

01-23-2008, 04:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
*waskillywabbit* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 11,479	The 3.4 parts list is on the ORS website. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC www.myspace.com/wabfab FOR SALE: 1987 4Runner GRAY FOR SALE: 1987 4Runner RED 6th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, May 22-25, 2009

01-23-2008, 04:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	thanks wabbit.. the only mention of the a/c on the ORS list is the a/c compressor. what about the condenser? maybe i'm not looking in the right place? __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

01-23-2008, 04:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Elvota Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 3,442	I'll be watching this thread to see what turns up... but this is what I know, or think I know. The 3.4 and 3.0 compressors are very similiar. The 3.0 systems mostly run R12, the 3.4 systems run R134. Evidently, the top plates on both compressors are exchangeable. Meaning... you can swap the line fittings onto your 3.4 compressor or vice versa. Since the 3.0 compressor fits on the 3.4 block, you can retain your 3.0 system if you wish by simply swapping the compressors. I have heard you don't even have to disconnect any line or recharge the system to acheive this. There is something different about the 3.0 and 3.4 "AC circuit boards". I don't know what they are or what the exact difference is though... nor what the work around is. Maybe Fallguy will chime in. I believe he has done some of this AC work. My 4Runner had factory air, but I broke a line sometime before the swap. My thought is to upgrade the system to R134 and use the 3.4 compressor since R134 seems to be easier to get a hold of. But I know some internal O-Rings from R12 systems can leak prematurely or will need to be swapped out. Don't know if all this helped much... but maybe this thread will go somewhere that will let us all figure out what needs to be done. __________________ ================ 1990 4Runner \| V6 3.4 \| 5spd \| 240 someoddthousand miles \| SR5 \| SAS \| RLS \| 35's \| ARB \| TJM \| 217 to 1 \| W8000 - four wheels \| three sticks \| two hands \| one trail - RIGITY DIGITY

01-23-2008, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	i probably should add my truck has no a/c at all right now - so the options are use the system in its entirety from the taco, or get myself a junkyard system out of my generation truck. __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

01-23-2008, 05:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	yeah, damn, seemed too good to be true. i'll see what i can find in the local wreckers - a quick look on car-part looks like it'll be expensive, though. oh well, i'll just roll down the windows and go really fast. haha yeah 3.4 power! __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

01-23-2008, 06:35 PM	#8 (permalink)
breknraj Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Summit County, Colorado Posts: 862	Basically, the only part from the Taco that you can use (that will bolt on, with no modification), is the compressor. You'll need parts that will fit your body style (3rd gen truck, 2nd gen Runner). I used the compressor from the Taco, with condenser, drier, and plumbing from a '95 Runner, and an evaporator and duct from a '91 truck. I had to have the fittings custom done between the truck evap fittings to the Runner plumbing. I used the fittings from the Runner evap to modify the truck evap fittings. And, yes, truck and Runner evaps and the ducts they sit in are different. I also had to modify my sheet metal cross brace (in front of the radiator) to accept the Runner condenser. I did all this, and got the system charged up with R-134, and it will nearly freeze me out of the cab! If I had it to do over, I would try to find a '94 or '95 truck (that had had R-134 in it, already), that still had an intact A/C system on it, and strip it out to use on my truck. __________________ Raj : 1960 Homo Sapien. 192cm, Blonde, Blue. Soon to lose spare tire. Worf : 1990 SR5 Xtracab 4x4 5 speed, Inca Red Metallic. 3.4 converted, with Taco 5 spoke alloys, 275/65R16 BFG AT K/Os. Soon to add rear e-locker.

01-23-2008, 10:24 PM	#9 (permalink)
RobD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 1,068	Timely post, as my 4Runner has no A/C, so when I picked up the 3.4, I made sure it had a compressor. I also bought a switch off eBay! Now all I need are the condensor, drier, evaporator, and A/C amplifier. And hoses... So, should be easy to do! Hahahaha... __________________ 1991 4Runner, 3.4 5VZFE swap, OME shocks/springs, 33" BFG All Terrain T/A KOs, Pioneer head unit, Infinity speakers, XM Satellite radio

01-24-2008, 05:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
breknraj Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Summit County, Colorado Posts: 862	RobD, if you can find a '94 or '95 Runner with those parts, it should be a pretty easy install for you, and everything will be R-134 compatible. __________________ Raj : 1960 Homo Sapien. 192cm, Blonde, Blue. Soon to lose spare tire. Worf : 1990 SR5 Xtracab 4x4 5 speed, Inca Red Metallic. 3.4 converted, with Taco 5 spoke alloys, 275/65R16 BFG AT K/Os. Soon to add rear e-locker.

01-24-2008, 05:51 PM	#11 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	I found a guy locally selling the system off a 92, but presumably that's no good since it's still r12. Are the conversion kits any good or should I just stick to r134a? __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

01-24-2008, 07:51 PM	#12 (permalink)
breknraj Contributing Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Summit County, Colorado Posts: 862	You could use that system, and just swap the drive pulley to the 3.4 set up, but I'm not sure about the efficiency of a 134 conversion, and R-12 is WAY pricey to get ahold of, these days. __________________ Raj : 1960 Homo Sapien. 192cm, Blonde, Blue. Soon to lose spare tire. Worf : 1990 SR5 Xtracab 4x4 5 speed, Inca Red Metallic. 3.4 converted, with Taco 5 spoke alloys, 275/65R16 BFG AT K/Os. Soon to add rear e-locker.

01-25-2008, 07:13 AM	#13 (permalink)
isaac338 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Halifax, NS, Canada Posts: 794	just realized the 92 gear is out of a 2-door 4runner, which as you say has a different evaporator, so it likely won't work. the hunt continues... __________________ 1994 Xtracab pickup, 180,000km 1989 4Runner, 300,000km - sold

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
3.4L donor vehicle	ks_yota	86-95 Trucks & 4Runners	2	09-24-2007 05:08 AM
so much stuff your eyes will bleed, vehicle and non vehicle related	neliconcept	Misc Stuff (Vehicle Related)	34	03-07-2007 08:09 PM
Where to find a donor vehicle?	BAMF_CT2004	Buying & Selling Advice Forum	3	01-23-2007 07:44 PM
Donor Engine Is In!	Blair	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	1	08-02-2003 06:09 PM
Aisin Hub Donor Vehicle?	jimrockford	95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners	13	05-24-2003 06:54 AM