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Putting A/C Back On?

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PaulZ

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My '83 K5 was originally a diesel with A/C. I wouldn't mind putting the A/C back on. This is pretty much how I got it (minus the blower), the alternator looks to be mounted stockish, the hydroboost pump is a bit cobby but it works. Where would I put the compressor? An original '83 type or something newer? R13? The condenser is still there in front of the radiator, and whatever is under the heater box is still there I assume. I don't know squat about A/C. Thanks!

lzyAWPF.jpg
 
would need to reroute power steering reservoir, water hose to radiator as the compressor would need that area. You need a new condenser, new evaporator as your is missing, new accumulator, new cycling switch, new compressor and hoses. I have no way of knowing what is missing in the cab as to controls as there is no pic of interior.
 
Thanks Frankin5. So the original condenser that is in there now would not work? The dash appears untouched, the controls etc. all appear to be in place. Is going to the boneyard and finding a complete setup worth it or should it all be new? I would need the mounting brackets for the compressor at least. What year did R12 go away, do I need newer than 1983 components?
 
The only way I would get junkyard parts is mounting brackets and pulleys. If you can find a unit on a vehicle that has not been oped to the air, maybe. Compressor, condenser, hoses, accumulator new are not that bad price wise, The evaporator is costly. Finding pulleys and brackets with the Huffer on your motor will be a challenge. You might also check going Vintage air or some other after market. R12 last used in 94. Doing this yourself, would save a ton of money. Having it done, hope you have a large bank account. Ton of work to be done to put it all back on again.
 
Have you considered a serpentine conversion? Most of the V-belt setups put the compressor on the DS and the hose routing could be difficult with the blower. Most serpentine setups (like 1990 TBI) put the compressor on the PS and then you can use stock 1990 K5 A/C hoses. Since the Evap box is still mounted you just need a stock evap and condensor (is that there?). If you don't want serpentine, look at some stock V-belt setups and find brackets that will work for your setup. You can always get custom A/C hoses made.
 
I am not sure what you will have to do with the upper radiator hose because of the blower. I know that it can be done, @500$k5 has it on his Monte Carlo.
The aftermarket systems use a Sanden style compressor, which can make getting mounting brackets easier, since you are using V-belts. However, my experience with the ones from Alan Grove, (Vintage Air supplied) wasn't grand. I had to work them over to get a bolt to NOT rub the power steering reservoir.
I pulled the Vintage Air system out of my '70 because of the poor performance of the heater, and even trying to keep windows from fogging in a summer rain storm.
I bought a parallel flow condenser for my '90 Jimmy which has seemed to work well. An original tube and fin condenser may work good, but trying to make sure that it gets cleaned well could be a challenge. If it puts dirt into your orifice tube, or starts leaking, then you are going to have to re-do things. Yes, new isn't fail -safe, but maybe a better gamble?

I like that you have the blower!!!!
 
A house A/C and an inverter is cheaper & quicker to install!..(and they actually work quite well !)..:Dhouse air conditioner in pickup truck.jpg
 
Thanks guys. Not as easy as just putting the missing stuff back on then. I'll research the options mentioned and start looking under the hood of some trucks to get more familiar with them.
 
My AC setup dead when I got my truck. It had a compressor (R12) and lines but it was not functional. I went with a Vintage Air system. It opens up the left side of the firewall. The complete system tucks behind the dash. It also hooks into the factory duct work. The newer Vintage Air stuff has servo control doors rather than the old cable system.

When everything is said and done, the AC brackets will have to be fabbed up. That's what I had to do for my conversion. You'll have to replace everything anyways, or should consider it. Many custom AC places will crimp the hoses once you have them cut to size and marked where the fittings need to go.
 
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