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Retrofitting AC PITA?

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Old 08-31-2008, 07:53 AM
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Retrofitting AC PITA?

I want to put AC in my 94 ext cab. I understand you have to run the ducting and install the relay.
Could some kind soul please tell me how much of a pain in the ass it is and if it is worth doing at all.
thanks
Old 08-31-2008, 08:09 AM
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It is easier to buy a truck with ac, no but seriously if you have the time, money, parts it can be like any other project in a tight/cramped yota, easy if you have the right tools/books, hard if you start with nothing but parts.
Old 08-31-2008, 08:51 AM
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yeah my trail rig with no ac has alot less stuff in it then my old or new dd with all these options and ac lol..
if you have a donor truck it can be done with enough motivation
Old 08-31-2008, 10:27 AM
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Well, you'll need a mounting bracket and possibly longer bolts to go through where the bracket fastens to the timing cover. A tensioner pulley and bracket. The belt.....of course.

You'll need an electrical source. Not sure on all of this, but to include fuses, wiring, possibly a vacuum switching valve to offset the engine load when the a/c is on, and in cab controls.

You'll need the blower, condenser, compressor (of course), all the freon lines and fittings, seems as I recall there's a "radiator" (?) for the system.

That's all I can think of and I may be wrong on one or two things. But, seems to me it would be quite an undertaking.
Old 09-02-2008, 04:06 PM
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if you go to toyota dealer and buy the original install kit it is fairly easy. the trucks didnt come from the factory w/ ac back then, they were all dealer installed. i remember doing a load of them. once you did a couple of them they took about 45 min. to do. so it might take you a couple of few hours to do your first one. all though the kit will probably be pricey.
Old 09-02-2008, 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by mr toytech
if you go to toyota dealer and buy the original install kit it is fairly easy. the trucks didnt come from the factory w/ ac back then, they were all dealer installed. i remember doing a load of them. once you did a couple of them they took about 45 min. to do. so it might take you a couple of few hours to do your first one. all though the kit will probably be pricey.
I just checked with the dealer and they are no longer available. I did a search on Google and couldnt find a kit. If you have a link or an idea of where to get one through an internet oem dealer I would appreciate it.
thanks
d

Last edited by toyospearo; 09-02-2008 at 04:27 PM.
Old 09-02-2008, 04:27 PM
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I had my Mech. install a factory AC system out of a donor he had. It was a fair bit of work. Some of the wiring harness stuff was already there but there was a whack of parts to install and plumb. I think I paid him $700 all in.
Old 09-03-2008, 06:00 AM
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Try ackits.com
Old 09-03-2008, 08:49 PM
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I am planning to try this as well. Ideally this winter I can get it running. Sitting in traffic for an hour on the freeway every night isn't fun. Even less fun if you are frying. I think it is completely and totally worth all the work needed.

Jason
Old 09-05-2008, 05:18 PM
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You should be able to get a factory kit from a wrecking yard. Try Dirtoyboy on this site. He has quite an inventory. Plan to spend some time with the install. Try to get an R134 kit from a 94. The earlier R-12 kit will require more work to convert to R134.
Old 09-08-2008, 11:59 AM
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For what it's worth, I installed a new OEM kit in my 94 22RE 4x4 in 1995. It had a buttload of parts, but the install was pretty easy. If you can get a kit and some instructions, it is not a bad job at all. I am not sure how it would have turned out if I had to cannibalize a system out of existing rig. It certainly would have been a major PITA that way.

if mr toytech was knocking them out in 45 mins, he is a god.
Old 04-28-2010, 12:58 PM
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I'm bring this back from the DEAD as I have a 94 xcab and just purchased an AC....

I'd love to see some pics and see who else has any helpful advise.

the kit from inside button to "radiator" was $250... now I gotta clean it up and install.

If I get no joy in this thread, I'll start my own posting and include pics.

Repo
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