Author Topic: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?  (Read 27531 times)

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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #105 on: June 02, 2012, 09:05:16 AM »
@DanMarino - were your hoses crimped already

@Jeffy - somehow i remember your lines were not crimped, is that correct?
'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
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Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #106 on: June 02, 2012, 11:31:25 AM »
Yes, my AC hoses were ready to go.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #107 on: June 02, 2012, 04:24:07 PM »
Did you run the purple compressor wire through the firewall on the dr side?
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Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #108 on: June 02, 2012, 04:54:52 PM »
Yes, there was a dimpled area to the right of the top of the gas pedal.  So I drilled through it and put a grommet in there to protect the wire.  I ran the wire up and along the back of the engine with the rest of the wire harness and over to the compressor and dryer.  The wiring was very easy once I located the 12 volt spot on the fuse block that is only powered when the ignition is on.  I also drilled a hole in the fire wall to attach the ground wire with a screw.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #109 on: June 02, 2012, 06:02:09 PM »
I usually send wires through an extra hole in the big grommet that the throttle cable passes through.  I've had all my wiring go there there over the years.  There is also a useful ground above the throttle pedal.  There's a screw holding one of the cables for the HVAC that works nicely.  Keeps from having to drill new holes.
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Offline sharpxmen

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #110 on: June 02, 2012, 06:12:31 PM »
Yes, my AC hoses were ready to go.

where did you get/order your kit from?
'95 YJ, NSG370 6spd / Hurst shifter, Dana 300 + 4:1 Doubler / tri-stick, Custom skid, Super D35 / Auburn LSD / 4.88, 35x12.5x15 BFG KM2, 64mm t/b, 1.7 RollerRockers, MkVIII e-fan, Dual Diaph Booster
Latest: Corbeau BajaRS heated seats :dance: keeping warm the rear end

Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #111 on: June 02, 2012, 06:47:48 PM »
Everything came from Jeepair.com

Offline DanMarino

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It is Finished.
« Reply #112 on: June 04, 2012, 08:04:01 PM »
Got the system evacuated and then 1.5 pounds of R134A installed.  The system works great.  Air temp is 39 or 40 degrees coming out of the vents at idle in my garage.  The shop was only a couple of miles away from my house, so I didn't get a good feel yet for how much power the AC system robs from the 4 angry squirrels.  I'm going to love the system this summer.

Offline chrisfranklin

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #113 on: June 05, 2012, 01:45:54 AM »
Good job  :thumb:
'94 YJ S 5spd, Borla Exhaust, CarSound Cat., PS Ceramic-coated Headers, Airraid intake, 62mm TB, Intake Manifold bored/ceramic-coated, 19lb injectors, Sharp's Adj. FPR, MeanGreen Starter, D30 Aussie locker, 31" Destination MTs, Warn XD9000, Cibie headlights, armor

Offline Jeffy

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #114 on: June 05, 2012, 12:11:44 PM »
Got the system evacuated and then 1.5 pounds of R134A installed.  The system works great.  Air temp is 39 or 40 degrees coming out of the vents at idle in my garage.  The shop was only a couple of miles away from my house, so I didn't get a good feel yet for how much power the AC system robs from the 4 angry squirrels.  I'm going to love the system this summer.
Congrats!  How much was the vacuum test and fill?
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Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #115 on: June 05, 2012, 01:43:38 PM »
$125 for the vacuum test and fill with R134A.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #116 on: June 05, 2012, 03:17:13 PM »
$125 for the vacuum test and fill with R134A.
About what I thought.  Not a bad project.  I need to kick mine into hi gear before summer.  If I can ever get over this cold.  My shouldered healed up but I've got poison oak blisters on my other arm.   :uhoh:  Nature is against me.  :fitz:
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #117 on: June 06, 2012, 07:05:38 AM »
Get well Jeffy.

I'm loving the cold air.  This thing is freezing me out.  I'm having to turn it off because it is so cold and the fan is so powerful even on the lowest setting.

I have not yet driven on the interstate with the AC on.  Around my normal suburban driving, the only time I notice any power loss is when driving up a very steep hill.  Moderate hills I don't notice any power loss.  It does not seem like a big deal to me though.  I'm finding that I am down shifting a little sooner, but I would be down shifting on the big hills anyways without the AC on.

The positives seem to overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives.  In certain climates I believe this is a great feature to have on any Wrangler.

Offline Jeffy

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #118 on: June 06, 2012, 11:36:30 AM »
Get well Jeffy.

I'm loving the cold air.  This thing is freezing me out.  I'm having to turn it off because it is so cold and the fan is so powerful even on the lowest setting.

I have not yet driven on the interstate with the AC on.  Around my normal suburban driving, the only time I notice any power loss is when driving up a very steep hill.  Moderate hills I don't notice any power loss.  It does not seem like a big deal to me though.  I'm finding that I am down shifting a little sooner, but I would be down shifting on the big hills anyways without the AC on.

The positives seem to overwhelmingly outweigh the negatives.  In certain climates I believe this is a great feature to have on any Wrangler.
I think on the highway, you'd break even if you ran an electric fan instead of that clutch fan.  The only problem would be to either wire in a bypass or else set the electric thermostat low enough to kick the fan on closer to idle temp.  Otherwise, the AC will get warmer when you stop, until the fan kicks in.  you could also run an AUX electric fan that only turns on when the AC is on like on most cars.
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZNlr60GXH5OlKIFrT7P6mg
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"If the motor car were invented today, there is absolutely no way that any government in the world would let normal members of the public drive one."

Offline DanMarino

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Re: How Difficult is it to Add Air Conditioning?
« Reply #119 on: June 06, 2012, 12:08:03 PM »
My 1992 Volvo 240 has the clutch fan attached to the water pump, but it also has an electric fan that comes on when the AC is turned on.  Yes, the electric fan does improve the AC performance when stopped at a light.
I doubt I'll do any modifications to the Jeep's AC system now that it is installed.  The AC perfomance is outstanding.  I also now have the confidence to work on the system down the road should repairs be needed.  Maybe one day I'll look into getting a vacuum pump.