1999 F-450 Diesel w/o factory air! What were they thinking?? Anyway, someone told me it was possible to add air to a vehicle ... is this right? Has anyone done this?

 

Is it possible YES will it cost you money and time YES
I have not done it but you would have to buy all the AC components compressor, coil, controls not sure what else a new longer S belt,

I have done the opposite for people I have removed AC from vehicles all I did was remove compressor and put in shorter belt it is suppose to save gas and increase horsepower plus when you live where it hits 80 on VERY HOT day who needs it

On lots of vehicles it is hooked into the defroster though to remove dampness from air

 

Putting A/C in will cost a butt load of money esecially if you can't do the work yourself. I'd line little 12V fans in the cab to move some air. Or you could put in an extra alternator and an inverter and install an A/C window unit in the cab like on Larry The Cable Guy Health Inspector.

 

If you have a sliding rear window that might actually not be a bad idea. YES I am a redneck.

 

I would either find a donor truck(same body style) and use its parts. I would check to see what is interchangeable as far as dash parts evaporators and condensors. After you have all the plumbing then I'd look for a new compressor and a dryer filter. Vaccum it down to check for leaks then charge it. It might cost you a lot if you bought all new parts but if your patient I bet you could piece it togther and make it work

 

This helps! Yeah .. I wish my Hot days were only 80! Thats usually not even the low temp. Alabama gets hot and Humid. I really didnt know you could add, knew it would cost but figure it may be worth it. I would think I can search for parts from any 99-02 diesel from f-250 -f-550 ...?? right?

 

You might want to look into RV or Boat AC units they would be faster and easier to ad on would just have to run power to them.

westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/22204/377%20710%201656/712/Air%20Conditioning%20/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/0?N=377%20710%201656&Ne=712&Ntt=Air%20Conditioning %20&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&page=CategoryDispla yLevel1&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5002&subdeptNum= 12&classNum=583

 

I honestly think these guys are making a bigger deal out of it then it is. its possible and it shouldnt take too much effort. yes, its a hell of alot bigger job then changing your oil or doing a tune up, but comming from someone living in south MS, its not so much work that its not worth it. If you do enough research and get all the parts together before you start you should be able to add the entire system in a day or two. Also, other than the AC compressor most salvage yards dont sell ac components too easy. If you could find a salvage yard that is willing to work with you, and pull off all AC components right when they get a truck, it wouldnt be hard to get the parts. I say right when they get the truck because they will end up cutting the lines if they pull the engine.

 

If you could find a donor vehicle and pull the evap (under the dash) the lines and the condensor, that would be the best parts to grab as they should remain in good condition as long as the system wasn't opened up and left open. Buying a compressor and a receiver/dryer would be wise, as well as the pressure switches (they are pretty cheap). Grab the control panel from the dash too.

Getting the evap out could be painful as they are pretty buried on most cars. Make sure the system is discharged before you start popping things apart or you will have a dangerous situation on your hands.

It is a good bit of work, but well worth it where you live.

-Dave

 

Greenguy, im in huntsville,al and i have a '94 ford f150 that im trying to do the same to. I found a junkyard down in Birmingham that seems to have the parts and i know a guy here in hsv who does great ac work and can install everything for around 250 but im not exactly sure what parts i need. I know i need the compressor, condenser, a new heater core, hoses, evap and drier but im not sure if i need anything else. The place down in bham has will sell me these parts for around 300(fantastic deal!). Feel free to pm me maybe we can work together and figure out how to actually pull this off.

 

If you get this done, I am interested in a list of parts needed from the donor vehicle please. I am about to do this in my 2000 F250 5.4L. Good luck!

 

You might be able to find and adapt a Vintage air conditioning system.

 

I would really like to keep the installation looking stock or sacrifice any space in the cab. I did find a 12v marine A/C but they want $4k for it. I'm thinking a stock add on install is best. The hardest part should be pulling the dash apart for the interior pieces. I am still looking for instructions to ensure I don't forget anything.

 

i am about to do the same job, i have a 97 f-250 7.3 with no factory air, and the donor a 96 f-250 7.3 with factory air. i will start with the controls and wiring then the evaporator box. i will let yall know how it looks in a few weeks.