Hey folks,

I got my 86 4Runner about 7 years ago with the AC removed and the heater has never worked. Now that my kids are older they are complaining about the heat or cold… blah blah blah. I want to get the AC working with the heater as well.

I took to a shop and they quoted me on replacing everything (no AC compressor so I’ll have to buy a new one). What got me was they said I needed a new heater core and evaporator which requires taking the dash off. First of all, if I flush the core and there are no leaks, why would I need to replace it? I know ideally I would buy all new components, but if it ain’t broke… Would anyone recommend using the old heater core, evaporator, condenser?

asl any idea where I can find the compressor bracket?

 

Really, two different systems, and should be treated as such.
Often, the trouble with the heater core is no more than it gets clogged with dust, dirt, fibres, etc, so no air can flow through it. Often you don't even have to take it out to clean it. Just pop the casing off from around it, and blow it out backwards. Beware, even if that's not your main problem, you'll get tons of dust everywhere. A good shop-vac on the outflow side, when you blow it out really helps.
Another problem the heater cores have, though, especially if the PO didn't flush the cooling system regularly, or used garden hose water and green coolant, is corrosion build up inside the downtubes. Just like with the radiator. In that event, it's time for a new core. Probably will need new hoses to/from the firewall, as well. Be VERY cautious of the tubes the hoses connect to, that come out of the heater core. They are VERY thin metal, and bend very easily. Once they are bent, they take a fair amount of effort to get round again, so the hoses don't leak.
As long as the blower works properly, the main crossover between the two systems is good to go. If not, well, fix that first. Without the blower, the AC won't function at all. Then again, neither will the heater.

You most likely can find the mounting bracket for the AC compressor in you local junkyard. Also, I'm sure they are available from the on-line recovery yards like YotaYard, etc. Very reasonable prices, too. Last, Rockauto and so on may well carry such things. Worth a look.
Yes, you need to take the dash apart to get to both items, and the blower as well, but it's not as difficult as you might think. It's actually fairly simple. Just don't loose all the little screws The FSM has very easy to follow instructions. There are PDF copies available around the net for download for free.
An item to pay attention to, also, is that the main ground for the block goes where the AC bracket bolts on, so you must ensure, when you put the bracket on, you have to attach the ground cable to the AC bracket. The starter gets it's ground there, so it needs to be in really good shape.

Good luck to you, and keep us up to date on how things are going for you!
Pat☺
The evaporator inside the dash may well be clogged with dust, just like the heater core. Again, it just needs to be blown clean. MAYBE.

 

Great thanks for the info. I was a little shocked when the shop I went to said Both the evaporator and heater core need to be replaced. Sounds like he just didn’t want to take the job and knew the bill would scare me away. Lots of mechanics and shops are content to change oil, brakes and cabin air filters all day.

My blower is strong, and the lever to switch between hot and cold works.

I will try to back flush the heater core and clean off the evaporator. Also will try a new thermostat. The PO put in a V6 radiator and told me that’s the heater doesn’t even get warm because of it… 🤦🏻‍♂️ Didn’t think anything of it at the time.

also thanks for the yota yard lead- I put in a request for some parts including the AC compressor mount and a bunch of other misc parts I have been trying to get a hold of. I broke the little release lever on the back seats, my kids somehow broke a rear seatbelt, and I’ve always been after a clinometer. So excited to see what they have.

 

I wish you the best of luck! Beware, you might have to nudge them on the phone a time or two before they get the parts out to you. They get a little behind, and tend to forget the older emails...

Pat☺

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I was able to find an AC bracket and some other spare parts from yotayard. Will update when I get my heater and AC running!

 

Glad I could help a little...
Pat☺