Main IndexAuto Repair Home Search Posts SEARCH
POSTS
Who's Online WHO'S
ONLINE
Log in LOG
IN









Search Auto Parts

AC install


  Email This Post



Lane22
Novice

Mar 3, 2017, 6:51 PM

Post #1 of 15 (2453 views)
  post locked   AC install  

I have a 1987 GMC 3500 5.7 without factory air.
Can I take the air conditioning components out of another truck with factory air same year and install them in my truck and it work?


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 3, 2017, 7:41 PM

Post #2 of 15 (2447 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

No, not only is your truck not wired for it but the manual HVAC housing has no means for AC components.

They do make aftermarket kits that can be installed but it is a LOT of work and they are kinda Mickey Mouse.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 3, 2017, 9:36 PM

Post #3 of 15 (2437 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

Second that. It's a work truck now fully 30 years old and it can't be worth it for marginal now not easy nor suggested real thru panel vent A/C. If it matters that much and truck is somehow pristine do as you wish but will be disappointed. Rather if a must buy another whole truck that suits your needs with OE A/C working properly,


T



Lane22
Novice

Mar 4, 2017, 4:19 AM

Post #4 of 15 (2428 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

I took out my heater core and the fire wall is not rite. I made a template of the fire wall of the truck with air and placed it on the wall of the truck without air.
If I cut the rite hole and fill in the existing hole then it would take the heater box and evaporator housing I could install it as it would be if it came with ac.I have the wiring harness,controler


Will the AC system work on its own? lets say I put it in, connect it as it was, power the compressor cluch,blower,condensor fan, would it work?


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 4:34 AM

Post #5 of 15 (2426 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

Lane22: If this was already an OE truck with A/C just not working this would be a wild expense and undertaking. You are now saying your source truck doesn't even match so you are double screwed. Used plain parts in question or useless from the donor that doesn't match.


It's your call and your money and time but you are wasting both for a set up that will just be trouble. Remember this truck was long before 134a, the refrigerant and was sized for R-12 for everything. You could still get the cert and use R-12 and would still have more trouble than it's worth is MY OWN OPINION.


Anything is possible. If you are that talented to make up your own firewall section you shouldn't need help from anyone.


A/C is invasive to a vehicle in many ways but the firewall should be the same new if ordered with or without A/C so hence this is double trouble or worse,


T



Lane22
Novice

Mar 4, 2017, 5:20 AM

Post #6 of 15 (2422 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

I have the heater box/evaporator housing and wireing and fans. I would need a compressor $100.00,condensor $80.00, evaporator $89.00,expansion valve $ 13.00,drier $35.00 hoses cheap enouph.
not really that much cost.
why would it not work? I am very good at fabrication,the fire wall is a walk in the park. I can put it in and you would not think it is not factory.


I do appreciate and respect your advice, yes or no can this work,keeping in mind I can build anything


thanks


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 6:06 AM

Post #7 of 15 (2418 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

I'd like to end this with why your aren't close to understanding this: If you cut up the firewall and don't know how strong your patch that works is you'll just plain bust the windshield on the first good bump! It's part of the total integrity engineered into the body.


Your prices are not realistic unless only maybe used parts. You would need to redo all brackets for the items on the front of engine to match. IDK if even PS pump is in the same side if you have A/C or not or alternator location for example and wiring. OE fan may or may not be enough so it might take a new water pump, adaptor and I think 5 bladed fan the thermostatic HD one can cost $200+ just for the fan clutch. No strong air flow no useful A/C if all else was perfect.


More on the dash. Control heat to actuators to divert air and blend air I think 1987 would be just cable's to find and since box didn't fit firewall neither will donor cables.


Blower motor. Non A/C may turn one way the motor for OE A/C turn the other or used reversed polarity.


The refrigerant of choice? Well 134a would be the common choice so any rubber parts that touch that gas which is a small molecule will just leak it out but not in front of you just in some time and compressor need be 134a compatible as well and any and all "O" rings.


I wouldn't know for sure on a 1 ton 3500 series truck but they didn't use expansion valves they were CCOT systems unless somehow you have rear mounted A/C as same truck nose could be a Suburban for example.


So if you see the engines accessories are already a concern alone. Another IDK is if this is using ''V" belts (many) or an early serpentine belt it all must be as intended.


My point and you seem very capable at metal fab, perhaps wood and other. The rest is understanding A/C and the gas used and heat transfer in general then the electrical controls of lots more than just A/C is all involved.


Yes can do but would need specific instructions, new or real good whole wiring harness and interior dash parts all correct, nothing rubbing the worng things or you would have made an endless nightmare of funky problems right away or just constantly which is why I say NO to this project.


Better would be the crappy "Erector Set" type aftermarket junk and under the dash ducts all working on it's own not involving much of anything OE for changes on the truck except adding the condenser there's room for and you'll find you are cooler to open the windows with those - totally inadequate IMO and still costly,


T



Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 8:56 AM

Post #8 of 15 (2412 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

I'm afraid you still don't understand how this is integrated into the entire operating system.

You may have some of the wiring but you don't have the entire operating system. The compressor circuit is tied into the ECM which in turn includes controlling the idle speed during compressor operation and operation of the compressor itself. The cooling system is different also.

This would be far more of a fiasco than you are planning on.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 10:46 AM

Post #9 of 15 (2397 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

If you can get the box, compressor, condenser, and lines installed, your good to go. The wiring really isn't that difficult. Is this TBI? All the ECM needs is the signal from the pressure switch, so it can increase idle speed when the compressor is loading the engine. The ECM doesn't operate the compressor clutch relay on this design. The compressor relay is turned on by the control panel and pressure switches. The computer may even have the circuit for pressure switch input available. The wire will be dark green/white at PIN B8. If there isn't a wire there, you can overlay one. The only thing that would be questionable is if the programming on the EPROM inside the ECM supports AC or not. One way to test that would be to send a 12 volt on signal on that circuit and see if the idle speed changes.





Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Mar 4, 2017, 10:47 AM)


Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 2:53 PM

Post #10 of 15 (2388 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

Are we forgetting about the control head, all the mounting brackets and pulleys for both the compressor and the condenser, different fan and clutch, engine harness and inside harness, assume the connectors exist to splice in these harnesses.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.



Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Mar 4, 2017, 5:12 PM

Post #11 of 15 (2374 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

See if a picture shows of what this may be..........
One was there may disappear?


^^^^
I re-assert this can't be worth it. There is so much different in the dash that will fall apart in your hands, cables, cheap crap dryer duct, back of control head w brass contacts failed, the dang fan speed switch is the resistor for fan speed fails early probably harder to find now. Dash board padded top long gone or replaced.


It does have wing vent windows and I think pull knob floor vents and 1 ton rated rides like a coal cart full of muffin tins. Don't buy eggs if grocery shopping with the thing. Mess up that firewall and windshield WILL bust continuously!


I'm in the NE of US where road salts are used a lot. First of this body from new you could put your arm thru the rust holes in 3 years then by 4 stick your head in and look around. The rubber bushings to body floor would just sink in as well under 10 years old.


So it has to be a dessert truck or would be long gone or at some point an extreme amount of body metal replaced?


The up side. You should be able to get almost every screw to this thing aftermarket including door and window rubber. They are amazingly popular to alter, raise body and cool looking show trucks.


A/C is and is IMO only so not important now for a work truck I don't get it?


Own this now in a '97. Better engine and drivetrain for steering geometry if nothing else. Hauled once the most wet logs possible in 8' bed AND overloaded trailer on a very hot day - so hot (near 100F) couldn't use the OE A/C on long but mild grades on HWY as temp nudged one mm up too much for me personally so shut down and was fine. That had less than 40K original at the time still have it.


To get this right it would be a ton of work and bucks and be worth it if you really must. Sure sounds like it's going to hack the thing up just to have A/C now 30 years later. No, I don't get it in this manner at all,


Tom



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Mar 4, 2017, 5:25 PM)


Lane22
Novice

Mar 5, 2017, 5:11 AM

Post #12 of 15 (2358 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

Thank you Discretesignals for some positive info"finally"
as far as all the parts I already have the ac body parts,in great shape. my truck is a 10 ft. dump truck not a regular pickup so it is especially cool,good looking vintage truck. I could buy a brandnew dump truck but why when I have this very cool truck. I really don't need a dump truck but I saw it and liked it so I bought it,haven't had it long. I live in Florida and ac is a must.
installing this is really not a big deal like some posters are thinking. there is a ton of room under dash not like new trucks. I took the vent system out of a Silverado and they fit my GMC like they were put there by the factory,go figure. Ive noticed parts from chevy & gmc from many years are the same parts,again go figure.
now that I know how the system ties to the trucks ecm I'm good,not something I would panic over anyway.
Thanks for the help, I always keep in mind "NO GAIN NO GLORY" I truly astonish people with what I build,wood,metal,stone,plastic doesn't matter,not scared
I'm gona finish installing this thing and may need help along the way,if so i'll be back,sincerly I do appreciate the help


Lane22
Novice

Mar 5, 2017, 8:36 AM

Post #13 of 15 (2347 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

Discretesignal your rite,the pin 8 solid darkgreen wire does infact increase the idle with 12v put to it.
thanks dude,i was wondering if it was possible to do that.


Lane22
Novice

Mar 6, 2017, 4:39 AM

Post #14 of 15 (2330 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

could I use a sanden 508 compressor with the 87 stock parts? why I ask is I need the compressor driver side and the brackets I find are for the sanden 508


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Apr 23, 2017, 8:52 AM

Post #15 of 15 (2188 views)
  post locked   Re: AC install  

flyle! Would you go back and take out what you just said or should we? There's no reason to be rude to vulgar worse at a FREE site to you by pros who do have a clue with wild years of experience doing this for you for FREE!


I don't care if vehicles are in Dubai or FL it's A/C stuff works the same and misbehaves the same. Yes if you have unlimited funds for these type things just send both problems to a total custom shop with unlimited ability to make up anything. That's why OE or you are screwed or just don't have the vehicles that please you find some others that do,


T
THREAD IS LOCKED BECAUSE ORIGINAL POSTER POSTED VERY IMPROPER LANGUAGE AND MORE..........



(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Apr 23, 2017, 9:33 AM)






  Email This Post
 
 


Feed Button




Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap