Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Adding A/C to a truck that came without it.

I've got a 2004 F250 regular cab that I love very dearly. It's about as stripped down as you can get, 6sp manual, rubber floors, crank windows, dang thing don't even have door pockets. I think the only option it was ordered with was 4x4. Anyways it's a great truck, rides okay, drives good, I get 19mpg highway out of the 5.4, and most importantly it's mine. I payed cash and I don't owe anyone anything. It's got 101k on the clock and doesn't use any oil to speak of so I'd really like to keep it an put another 100k on it. Trouble is that it doesn't have AC and I'm probably going to be in a situation soon where that would be a huge problem.

Has anyone ever retrofitted an AC system to something like this? Is it even possible? And any ballpark idea what it might cost me to have it put in if it is possible?

I went shopping for a new to me pickup a couple times and finding a 3/4ton 4x4 that either doesn't have 200k on the odometer, isn't a diesel, or isn't 30 grand is tough these days. The ones I've found that are in my budget and don't have a zillion miles on them are either beater work trucks, or don't have AC! The search continues but it would be nice to be able to sink a grand into the one I have and just keep it.

It's been a long time ago but I did it with a '70 Nova. It never worked as well as factory air but it was ok. 34 years can make a lot of difference in quality, though.

http://www.classicautoair.com/under-dash-trunk-home.html

W

Man up, wear quick dry clothing, and engage the factory equipped 2/70 air conditioning (roll two windows down and go 70). I commiserate as I had a 1964 F100 with no ac and moved somewhere hot and humid. It sucked.

It used to be possible to retrofit A/C to vehicles but that was when they were a lot less complicated than they are now. I've never heard of anyone doing it with something as new as a 2004. My gut feeling is that it would be an almost impossible job and cost a whole lot more than a grand if you could find someone who could do it.

A big problem with the 2/70 A/C is wind noise now that vehicles don't have wing windows. My Dodge pickup is miserable to drive with the windows down above about 50. Also, the noise and slapping air is very hard on hearing and will cause long term hearing loss. I should know!

All that and if it's 114deg rolling down the window is just like turning on the blow dryer!

Anyway, I talked with a buddy who's a mechanical type jack of all trades and a 3rd generation auto parts salesman. He thinks it's definately doable and probably won't be that much hassle. He claims that there's a really good chance that it already has the switch relays and mounting points we would need. Just a matter of getting all the parts and their brackets and bolting it together. I'm going to have him crawl around it next time we get together Nd see if it's doable.

Yes, the wing windows were nice. If I crack the back windows a bit it takes some of the slap out of it. Back windows down and front up sounds like you are riding in a Huey.

I think it's doable but it won't be a piece of cake. The main engine side(condenser, compressor, drier, hoses) shouldn't be too bad but your truck may be missing the electrical connections for the refrigerant/temperature sensors and compressor engagement which could be a hassle. The evaporator, expansion valve, and buttons would also be a big hassle because you would have to take apart your dash. You could get most of the parts from a wrecked truck. AC requires some unique tools: gauges, vacuum pump, and ideally a sniffer and nitrogen tank. I would rather buy a new truck but I just replaced a good chunk of system a few weeks ago so maybe I'm cheap too...

Lot easier to trade trucks.

Added AC units to a 1976 GMC 3/4 ton and a 1980 Chev 1/2 ton, Purchased the compressors, controls, brackets, wiring harness etc, dash from auto wreckers . Strip all you think you might need and some that you don't. My buddy who is a A\C mechanic assisted.

Flyer

Alternate solution. Small window AC until in the back glass and a honda eu2000 generator in the bed. That should chill you down right quick AND run your skil saw when you get to the job site!

I had that Classic Air system installed in an S 10 back in the mid 90's. One of those little strippers for $7,900.00.

It actually worked very well.

The kit will run you around $1600. If you can do the install on you own it is not cost prohibitve and will allow you to keep your paid for truck. Best trucks in the world are the paid for brand in my opinion.

Where would one buy the kit you speak of Oznog?

I searced for aftermarket air conditioning for your truck on google. I helped a guy put one on a Ford truck about ten years ago. Looked 100% factory and worked great when done. Good luck.

In 87 I found a new Jeep cherokee with every option except AC, dealer has a local AC shop put in a factory warrant system for $700 took them about 4 hours. Looked & worked just like it had always been there.