Adding AC to older pickup

[stephenkatsea]

Thinking about adding AC to a stock 1992 Toyota pickup, 22RE engine, 4 cyl, 138k original miles on the truck. Truck is in good condition. We plan on keeping it. A company in TX, Auto AC Solutions, offers what they call a complete 134 kit. Spoke with them. Sounded like a straight forward good guy. Said they had been in that business for 50 years. Their kit did not include an idle-up assembly. They felt it wasn’t typically needed on the injected R22 engine. Truck is only driven around town. We’ve gone 13 years in LHC without AC in this truck. But, it would sure be nice. What say the knowledgeable inmates? I know it won’t be cheap, considerable labor involved.

 

[lbhsbz]

Thinking about adding AC to a stock 1992 Toyota pickup, 22RE engine, 4 cyl, 138k original miles on the truck. Truck is in good condition. We plan on keeping it. A company in TX, Auto AC Solutions, offers what they call a complete 134 kit. Spoke with them. Sounded like a straight forward good guy. Said they had been in that business for 50 years. Their kit did not include an idle-up assembly. Truck is only driven around town. We’ve gone 13 years in LHC without AC in this truck. But, it would sure be nice. What say the knowledgeable inmates? I know it won’t be cheap, considerable labor involved.

Haven't seen their kit, but I would try and find a junkyard and find all the OEM stuff. Switching from R12 to R134 is not rocket surgery like some might lead you to believe....I've simply evac'd and charged with the adapter fittings and stuff I did back in the late '90s is still working fine to this day.

....or just grab a spray bottle full of ice water before you leave the house if it's just used around town

 

[monkeyswrench]

I don't know if there are Toyota wrecking yards, but with some vehicles I've just gone and matched up the factory parts. I'd think a Toyota specific place could put it all together.

Edit, what @lbhsbz said

 

[TPC]

415.000 trouble free miles is the average we got outta those engines.
Worth keeping worth considering A/C.

A/C used to come in a box from the factory sitting on the passenger side of the truck and the dealer installed it.
Usually some kid in a spot behind the service dept next to the wash rack with basic tools did the job.

Not rocket science. Drop in - plug in.

 

[lbhsbz]

I'd get on irate4x4.com and post up in the Toyota section....guys are parting these things all the time and I'm sure can put you together a nice kit. I'd get a new condensor, evaporator core, dryer, expansion valves, compressor, and hoses....just get all the brackets / controls / heater box (if it's different....not sure).

 

[Todd Mohr]

Just buy the new kit, the cost savings are not worth the hassle of sourcing used parts that may or may not be good. JMHO

 

[TimeBandit]

Nissan had dealer install kits for the A/C back in the 80's for the Sentra, Stanza and pick up.

Honda had Civic kits, I'm sure Toyota did the tercel, corolla and trucks the same way.

A tech could put one in the first time in under 4 hours.

Once you had done a few under two hours was the norm.

This kit is $2500.

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Toyota Pickup and 1989 4 Runner 2 door Air Conditioning Add on Kit A C Package Complete For R134a

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Toyota Pickup and 4 Runner Air Conditioning A C Compressor, AC Condenser, AC Drier, AC Expansion Valve, AC Suction Hose, AC Discharge Hose, AC Liquid Line, AC Receiver Drier, AC Evaporator, AC Switch, AC Thermostat, Auto AC Parts...

autoacsolutions.com

Youtube on a/c install:

 

[stephenkatsea]

Didn’t mention, the truck is a 2WD automatic. Auto AC Solutions claims their kits are new parts and come with a 1 year warranty. Not sure if the lack of the idle-up will be an issue or not. Auto parts stores offer the ideal-up for around $30 and another for around $130. They must be 2 different animals. Bought the truck from Toyota of Oxnard back in 97 when we lived in Camarillo. AC just wasn’t much of an issue for that coastal area.

Yes, I’ve been told one could have easily been dropped in when I bought the truck. Oh well . . . .

 

[stephenkatsea]

Nissan had dealer install kits for the A/C back in the 80's for the Sentra, Stanza and pick up.

Honda had Civic kits, I'm sure Toyota did the tercel, corolla and trucks the same way.

A tech could put one in the first time in under 4 hours.

Once you had done a few under two hours was the norm.

This kit is $2500.

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Toyota Pickup and 1989 4 Runner 2 door Air Conditioning Add on Kit A C Package Complete For R134a

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 Toyota Pickup and 4 Runner Air Conditioning A C Compressor, AC Condenser, AC Drier, AC Expansion Valve, AC Suction Hose, AC Discharge Hose, AC Liquid Line, AC Receiver Drier, AC Evaporator, AC Switch, AC Thermostat, Auto AC Parts...

autoacsolutions.com

Youtube on a/c install:

Thanks, the kit in your post comes from the people I’m talking to, Auto AC Solutions of Graham TX. I’ve watched that install video on YouTube. Takes about 3 CLs to view that entire video. That guy likes to talk. lol

 

[rivermobster]

I know it won’t be cheap, considerable labor involved.

Are you doing this yourself? Do you enjoy being pissed off and frustrated?

Might be a fun project. Go for it!

Are you paying someone to do this? Yes, it will be a few bucks. Probably more than the truck is worth.

I'm guessing this truck has some sentimental value??

If not, sell it, and buy something else.

Live happy.

 

[Melloyellovector]

look up n call www.calminirecycling.com
mini truck dismantler in so cal. Thats where i used to get all my parts from when doing mini trucks.

 

[Brokeboatin221]

Try California mini trucks in Montclair he use to have a kit.

 

[8LEACH]

@stephenkatsea whats up man, i joined the forum today just to inform you that i sell 22r spec kits here in socal zip 91706. plug & play. the ACSolutions kit isnt nearly as straightforward of an install since theyre universal parts instead of oem fit & finish. nothing quite fits where its supposed to. my kits include pretty much everything you need aside from 20oz of r134a. install available too if ur local. hit me up if ur interested.

 

[DirtyWhiteDog]

Can you build a kit that will bolt up to a '77 2F ?

 

[stephenkatsea]

The project is done. AC added to our 92 Toyota pickup and working great. Shout out to Any Radiator and Auto AC in LHC. Mike and his crew did good work, in a timely manner and at a fair price. Also thanks to Auto AC Solutions, Graham TX, for providing the 100% complete kit for this project. Kit even included the fan belt. All the parts appeared to be new.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Perfect timing. It'll be getting hot soon

 

[stephenkatsea]

Perfect timing. It'll be getting hot soon

Exactly. After doing some homework, I was fortunate to hook up with a reputable parts provider and a very good local installer. And I didn’t even get pissed off or frustrated, or break the bank as predicted by RM.There are some good people out there. JW @ Auto AC Solutions in Graham TX and Mike @ Any Radiator/Auto AC in Havasu are just a couple of them.