Wanting to install AC in old Ford truck, anyone already do this without spending thousands of dollars?
1967 Ford F100, has a "newer" Ford engine, not the original. Truck never had AC, the kits with compressor are really expensive. I'm curious about alternative AC additions anyone might have experience with… Thanks!
You need a compressor for proper and continuous AC. Installing one will also mean you will need additional cooling for the engine - a more efficient fan usually does the trick but occasionally a larger radiator is needed as well - depending on the configuration. I suppose you can put in a larger alternator with a DC to AC converter to get 110 volts and hang a window unit out the back window but that would be totally ridiculous.
You can do this one of two ways. You can buy a AC conversion kit to install on your truck. Or you could obtain a roof mounted cooling unit like used in RVs. Neither is going to be cheap.
Well there are no real good alternatives to an AC system other than tinting the windows as dark as possible and perhaps use a portable ice chest chiller that blows air over a small radiator/trans cooler to help cool the cabin. My brother used a rig like that he had built from various parts on his semi truck to cool the cabin when sleeping overnight vs running the engine and using a lot of fuel.
A number of Youtube vids or websites show various designs but basically you use a small ice chest/cooler filled with ice/water and run a small 12 volt pond pump or bilge pump in it to circulate cold water through a small radiator or heater core, etc.mounted on top of it… The pump and a small fan can get plugged into a power port or cigarette lighter port. His version cooled the bunk area down pretty well for a few hours at least depending on how hot it was but usually was used at night. The ice would melt at some point but it got really cold air flow for a few hours. A couple bags of ice only cost a few bucks per night versus idling the engine which could run a lot more in fuel use.
Or some designs you would cut two holes in the top of the cooler and a small fan to blow air into the cooler in one hole which blows over the ice/water and cold air comes out the other. Use a small piece of 3-4" PCV elbow to direct the airflow and cut the holes to fit it and the fan. Some companies like KoolerAire make ready made coolers kits to blow cold air.
A window unit and a really long extension cord.
There's no cheaper option.
You can get the under dash evaporator blower unit for $200-300 from online sources, you will need a compressor & brackets from the junk yard that fits your engine model. Theoretically, someone with the knowledge and mechanical ability should be able to set one up for under $500 with a used junk yard compressor using an under dash evaporator coil blower unit. You may also need a more robust radiator depending on the truck, a 2 or 3 core radiator will work fine.
This would be a lot easier if you find the proper mounting bracket style factory condenser coil with booster fan and silica gel canister with the compressor for ease of installation. You will probably also need a bigger alternator, say 85 amps or larger to handle the increased electrical load from the blower fan motor and radiator piggyback booster fan.
It may be cheaper to go the Larry da cable guy way, small generator and a 500BTU window unit mounted in the slider.
You have TWO choices.
1. Buy an aftermarket "hang on" kit.
2. Find another 1967 F-100 that is unusable, and scavenge the factory a/c from it.
Choice 1 is simple, fast, fairly easy, expensive.
Choice 2 is low cost and highly labor intensive. Since you don't desire to pay big, you can give lots of time and transfer the factory system.
I have done it numerous times. Install a new receiver/dryer or accumulator/filter, whichever the Ford has.
Evacuate.
Leak check.
Charge the system. Use R-134a refrigerant and compatible refrigeration oil.
1960s a/c systems were rather simple. The heater/ducting/dash stuff is the big problem with a retrofit. If you do it properly, you'll have a nice factory a/c system.
-Engine overhaul mechanic and general automotive mechanic since 1972
-A/C repair since 1980
p.s. I read a comment, that you have a compressor already. Then you need a condenser and under dash unit. Here are some examples:
Bay a new car with a/c
ford f serious is expensive to run
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