84 Westy AC Retrofit - possible?

LaVarBurtonLivz · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 6:36 pm Post subject: 84 Westy AC Retrofit - possible?

With summer coming up, I'm exploring interior cooling options. My poor 84 2WD full camper sadly has no AC, and I'm wondering what retrofitting options might be possible.

I'm generally referencing this GoWesty article: http://www.gowesty.com/library_article.php?id=311

Looking at this section, a little past halfway down the page:

JPrato · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 7:06 pm Post subject:

I went this route in our 84 Westy.

http://sites.google.com/site/blakeheinlein2/vanagon-airconditioning
_________________
Joe

87 Syncro Tin Top project
84 Westy, 2.5L Subaru power
06 Subaru 2.5 turbo in waiting
46 Cessna 140

LaVarBurtonLivz · Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 8:51 pm Post subject:

Woah, that's quite a project. Are you happy with the results? Was it worth it?

JPrato · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 7:09 am Post subject:

LaVarBurtonLivz · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:01 am Post subject:

Oh, I didn't realize you weren't the OP. It looks like your application might be a little closer to what mine would be, since my westy is also a manual (although maybe that doesn't make a huge difference under the dash).

I would say my skill level is... meh. I'm not afraid to get in there and work on stuff, but it generally takes me forever. I'm still less than a year old on the vanagon scene, so that kind of compounds things. For me, it's more a matter of time and a place to do it. We just moved into a condo, so I'm not really sure what kind of work the HOA would allow in the parking lot. I get the feeling a project of this magnitude would be frowned upon.

Anyway, I've never pulled the dash before, though I've heard it's kind of a pain. I'm not super confident with wiring or pressurized refrigerant lines, but I think I could handle everything else.

Did you end up going with the same kit as the OP? And were your final costs on par with his?

Oh, and do you have any pics of the completed project? I'd love to see the radio fitment Very Happy

JPrato · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 8:16 am Post subject:

Yes, I went with Vintage Air and used the OP invoice to quote my job. It actually was few dollars lower. I don't know if I'd tackle this in a parking lot all though you working mostly inside the van....... Taking your time is key, I think I worked on an off for over a month. Work a bit after dinner, think things through, work some more. The lines are not too bad. You can get them crimped at a local shop after you run them and figure out the lengths.
_________________
Joe

87 Syncro Tin Top project
84 Westy, 2.5L Subaru power
06 Subaru 2.5 turbo in waiting
46 Cessna 140

Ahwahnee

debbiej · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 12:32 pm Post subject:

we have a behr aftermarket. it was installed when we bought the van, so we have no idea of expense or effort it took to get it installed. we have had a few issues involving radiator fan that I suspect came from the installation of the ac. But it works, and blows cold air in the front of the van. I don't know how well it cools the back, as no one sits back there. I've had two vanagons with factory ac, and this one works better than those did.

scubabrian · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:15 pm Post subject:

vanis13 · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 5:31 pm Post subject:

FWIW, I installed (taken form a donor) a stock Vanagon Westy system into my non-AC 83.5 watercooled Westy. installed a parallel flow condenser and charged with regular 134a refrigerant and its quite cold even in NM 100+ degree days.

I have pics of the takeout/install somewhere if you like.

BTW, you will find that the stock ac system cools quite well, its getting the cold air to the driver seats that is the issue in a Westy.

We're happy with the results.

pm me if you have any questions about doing this type of install.
_________________
83.5 Westy with Subaru 2.5, 4 spd manual, center seat, COLD A/C on 134a!, Winter camp heated with an Espar B4 gasoline furnace

www.SuperVanagon.com - some stuff I make

LaVarBurtonLivz · Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 6:49 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the input. While the Vintage Air setup is indeed an intriguing option, it looks like it will probably be too ambitious for me to tackle for now. Since asking, I've been able to dig up a lot more information. Searches for "behr", "vintage air", "swamp cooler", etc. have been fruitful; sometimes it just helps to know what to search for!

I'm definitely interesting in learning more about the in-dash Behr systems, but I'm guessing it's pretty hard (and expensive) to source a donor since they're so rare.

I seems like swapping in a factory Westy AC unit (rear overhead) - a la vanis13 (PM sent, btw) - would be easier and less expensive. Although my main concern is cooling the front seats since we rarely have passengers, it's gotta be better than nothing, right?

In the mean time, it might be fun to rig up a homemade evaporative cooler setup that there's been some buzz about. An automatic mister/fan setup would be awesome, too! I'll have to get bigger cupholders if I'm going to start hauling around 44 oz. beverages, however!

JPrato · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:18 am Post subject:

wbx · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 9:45 am Post subject:

MarkWard · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 10:08 am Post subject:

I am also installing the vintage air solution into my Vanagon. I am doing it in stages. To date, I have the interior finished. I fabricated a panel to hold the centervents and the 4 knob controls. I intend to post a few pictures at some point. Blake's documentation is excellent. I spent a lot of time insulating the entire front of the van and the underside of the dashboard. I am not expecting it to turn our van into a meat locker, but it should be able to blow some cool air on us when traveling in the south. It has been more of a project than I expected, but doable.

I mounted the compressor last Saturday and figured out the proper serpentine belt to work with my setup. Last will be the condensor and lines, but I need to upgrade to the newer radiator. The 82 diesel radiator most likely won't work with the later fan shroud an fan setup I have from a 90 vanagon. Mine is an manual transmission and I was able to fit the dash back in with minor clearancing. I spent a lot of time making adapters for the defrost vents.

The plus to this job is you get all new parts that are available. The downside, is you loose the fresh air system, but I never quite figured out the controls anyhow. The plan is to go with a secret audio remote stereo at some point.
_________________
☮️

EvilDNA · Posted: Mon Mar 14, 2011 11:37 pm Post subject:

LaVar - I don't know if this would interest you, but I have a stock overhead a/c system I had gotten for a project that I have since abandoned. It is the one that mounts just behind your head in the driver/passenger seats and extends up to the visor area. I've got all the goodies.

I have no idea what it is worth but if you think you can make good use of it, let me know. You can always check it out since we are both SLC locals.

Like this one:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=454832
_________________
1990 4 Speed Orly Blue Multivan

JPrato · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:05 am Post subject:

JPrato · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 9:16 am Post subject:

MarkWard · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 10:02 am Post subject:

I noticed the hoses in the picture. I was thinking you might have done something like that. Do they connect to vents? In Florida, our daily drivers have the AC set on Recirculate or "max" ac all the time. Since the Vanagon is quite large and this was the only unit, I figured the fresh air would not be required.

I utilized the factory vents in the dash for AC and Heat. I was looking for as much a stock look as possible. I used an aluminum plate to block off the factory fresh air system. Now that you have me thinking, with a little more work I could have come up with a slider and had a couple loose hoses buried up behind the dash for fresh air. Could have used a simple cable and knob to open and close it. Oh well, next time I am in there. Good thinking on your part. mark
_________________
☮️

edgood1 · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:06 am Post subject:

I've been contemplating using a vintage air setup, but instead replacing the rear heater core with one. There's more room to work with and the noise will be on the floor as opposed to in the dash (or in the rear passengers ears as the stock one would be) . I'll keep the front stock setup, which I recently rebuilt.
_________________
1987 Syncro Westfalia powered by Subaru
1963 Panel to Deluxe Bus project :::: (photo album)
'65 Westfalia

LaVarBurtonLivz · Posted: Tue Mar 15, 2011 11:44 am Post subject:

Hey EvilDNA,

That's one style of AC I've been interested in looking into, but will it work with the pop top? I think I read somewhere that it's been done, with some modification to the pop top latch, but I couldn't dig up any documentation/pics of that.

I've been sort of following that thread you linked to, and it seems really interesting. I think having the cold air right up front like that would be awesome!

Maybe we could work out a deal if I decide to go that route Wink


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Vanagon	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2 Next
Page 1 of 2