80's crew cab a/c?
#1463911
07/07/13 12:04 PM
07/07/13 12:04 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522 Lenox Iowa
MMiller
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522
Lenox Iowa
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I have an 85 Crew cab that has a 93 Dodge Cummins drive train installed in it. The person that did the conversion used everything off the 93, dash, wiring, heat/a/c, radiator, condensor....overall they did a pretty nice job with the coversion. When I got it the a/c had R134a in it and it worked poorly. I charged it and it worked ok, but the back seat passengers were uncomfortable. My future plans include tinting the back and side windows to help keep the cab cooler, and getting new seals for all the windows.
How does the a/c work in 84-85 crew cabs that are unmolested with r12? Great, or mearly ok? I replaced the fan with a new motor and cleaned the cores and the air flow is still marginal from the ducts. Did the crew cabs have different stuff then a 93 standard/extended cab? I'm thinking of calling Vintage air, or even just putting a larger condensor in from an Excursion or van, and trying to put a rear unit under the seat for the passengers in the back......has anyone here done anything? 90+ degree summers with 90%+ humididty, 3 kids and a wife, and it needs to be cool in the cab.
Michael
93 W250 CTD getrag, Bosch 185 injectors, AFE air filter. Trailer puller, daily driver, 90 W250 CTD 727 with smokin 5" stacks. Off road truck
75 Dodge W200 440 4spd 4x4 locked front and rear, twin disc clutch, E85. Pulling truck
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Re: 80's crew cab a/c?
[Re: Mopar2DBone]
#1463913
07/07/13 01:21 PM
07/07/13 01:21 PM
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Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833 east side of Ohio
basketcase
master
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master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,833
east side of Ohio
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I remember riding in the bck seat of the family car growing up, andnever was as cool as the front passengers got.
Dave
1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
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Re: 80's crew cab a/c?
[Re: MMiller]
#1463914
07/13/13 12:20 PM
07/13/13 12:20 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 355 Sparks, Nevada
MoparMike23
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 355
Sparks, Nevada
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I have the same setup as you and have had the same problem. First make sure the basics are in order, full charge, underdash box not full of leaves (sounds like you covered these), and most important, make sure you have air flow across the condensor (ie fan clutch working). If everything is in order, check to see if A/C clutch is cycling off before it gets cold. If it is, the temp sensor in the return line might be out of spec. Try pulling the copper line that goes in to the return line out a little until the clutch stays engaged. Once the return line starts freezing up, you've pulled it out to far. These systems are far from adaquate and work even worse in ramchargers. My crew cab's A/C is decent but if I go out to the low desert (100+ degrees), it sucks. You might have a great idea of upgrading to a modern system. I have older systems too and they don't work any better. Good Luck Mike
Last edited by MoparMike23; 07/13/13 12:23 PM.
1969 Superbee 440-6 1977 D-150 Adventurer 2000 Jeep TJ 2018 Challenger Scat Pack Shaker 2019 Ram 2500 CTD
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Re: 80's crew cab a/c?
[Re: MoparMike23]
#1463915
07/13/13 12:32 PM
07/13/13 12:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522 Lenox Iowa
MMiller
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522
Lenox Iowa
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Thanks guys. I had a belt squeak that I tried to fix with a new belt tensioner yesterday, only to find out it was the compressor that the pulley wobbles around on, so I'm going to switch compressors. It explains why when I charged it and made it cool, it only worked for one day and quit.
I'm going to stick a spare compressor I have for it and get it charged again. Hopefully over the winter I can sound deaden the cab and maybe upgrade the a/c. I just wanted to make sure that the stock system wasn't better then I have now.
Michael
93 W250 CTD getrag, Bosch 185 injectors, AFE air filter. Trailer puller, daily driver, 90 W250 CTD 727 with smokin 5" stacks. Off road truck
75 Dodge W200 440 4spd 4x4 locked front and rear, twin disc clutch, E85. Pulling truck
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Re: 80's crew cab a/c?
[Re: YYZ]
#1463918
07/22/13 11:33 PM
07/22/13 11:33 PM
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522 Lenox Iowa
MMiller
OP
mopar
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OP
mopar
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 522
Lenox Iowa
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My 85 crew has a Cummins conversion done to it, and last week the belt started squealing. I thought it needed a new tensioner, but I found the pulley on the compressor was the culprit. I bought a reman compressor, replaced it, vaccumned the system down and then added R134A to the system. I backed it out of the shop and finished filling the system. Temp check showed I was getting 32*F air out of the duct on the passenger side. That day I took it for a drive and the front people were comfortable, but the back seat was still noticably warmer. I guess I'm going to pull the dash back apart, and make sure all the duct work is sealed up and hooked up, as air flow was pretty miserable out of the vents. The other mod I'm going to do is put a relay that switches on when the fan switch is on "high". That way the fan motor sees true battery voltage to get a little more speed then the typical voltage drop a person sees through the switch.
I think the cooling part may be up to the task with the fact of the cold temps even with R134a in the system, its just a matter of getting the air moved around the cab.
Michael
93 W250 CTD getrag, Bosch 185 injectors, AFE air filter. Trailer puller, daily driver, 90 W250 CTD 727 with smokin 5" stacks. Off road truck
75 Dodge W200 440 4spd 4x4 locked front and rear, twin disc clutch, E85. Pulling truck
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