Im confused if my truck has r12 or r134a. I thought it was r12 but when I pulled the compressor out, it had r134a on the side of it? Does this mean it was already converted?

 

Happen to have this in my notes that I copied from somewhere a long time ago when researching this swap.

You can easily tell by looking at the fitting. A R12 system will have a small,threaded screw on type cap, while a R134a system uses a different fitting. If you have another car that uses r134, compare the 2 and you'll see what I mean. R134 uses a quick connect fitting that just pops on and off, while R12 uses a fitting that must be threaded on.

 

Look under your hood on the core support. My Runner has a sticker about 2 inches long that talks about it..what year is your 4-Runner? 94 and up had R134.


The above is innaccurate... My R134 system has threaded caps over the high and low fittings.

 

I just converted mine from r12 to r134a. The r12 has small threaded valves that look just like tire valve stems. The new ones look bigger and they don't look like valve stems.

and also its illegal or something to not have a sticker saying if it was converted. At least my conversion kit said that lol. So there should be something either on the core support, or up by the firewall. When I was at the junkyard last weekend I saw some vehicles had the stickers up above where the a/c lines go through the firewall. They all seemed to be this green and white sticker. Which is the same as what my kit had. Not sure if thats standard or just a coincidence. Good luck with the conversion. no matter what you almost gotta go with the r134a. I couldn't even find a place in my area that still had r-12.

 

And if you do find it it's upward of $100 a lb

 

Well mine is a 95' so Im guessing its R134? Like I said it had it on a sticker on the side of the compressor..

 

Im thinking maybe i should just get the retrofit and recharge kit. Its only like 45 and im pretty sure it comes with everything.

 

Thats what I did for my '91.

 

Does your a/c stay pretty cold?

 

Yes. It'll turn 90 deg F into 43 deg F. Coldest I've measured was 41.

 

I just measured the A/C in the house. It cycles between 50 and 55 deg F.

 

You can still get 30lb bottles for about $700 through legal channels.

It's roughly half that on the "grey market" (buying someone's leftover bottles) -- here in Texas at least.

 

lol that is funny sh** right there

 

Alright I've run into a little problem. I started recharging it, everything went fine. I used up the two cans that came in the recharge kit. I went and got 2 more 12 oz. cans. The first went in no problem. But after I tried doing the second, the clutch started kicking on and off and won't stay on now. I thought I was almost there and then this!! Please help!!

 

You were there. You put to much refrigerant in. I used the conversion oil and 1 and a bit 12oz refrigerant cans. You will have to remove some refrigerant.

 

Well then I guess the gauge that came with the kit is f'd up. Because it was reading nothing and my A/C wasn't blowing cold.. But I will try letting some out because I thought thats what I might have done. Any reason why the a/c wouldn't be cold tho?

 

in my 92 4Runner i believe i have R12..but my a/c doesnt ever turn cold it just blows out warm air..does this mean i need a shot of freeon or do i need a whole new compressor?

-thanks

 

Sounds like you managed to vent everything, the cans and what was in your system.

The system is cycling because the low-pressure switch is doing its job (keeping you from burning up your compressor).

 

I've run out of ideas with this thing. I tried messing with the switch on the a/c amp. and nothing. I tried jumping the compressor and it runs for a second and then its like an overflow valve opens or something and freon starts shooting out. I went out this morning and let some out and the clutch stays on a little longer, but not long enough for the air to get cold. I really need some help with this as it is getting hotter everyday here and I'm starting a new job thats 25 miles away and sitting through rush hour traffic in a car without a/c sounds miserable.

 

Let more out. And do not bypass your compressor. You are over pressurizing the system, hence the release of refrigerant from the relief valve.