Tintop - summer heat

[h00drat]

Looking for some input on ways to counter the heat in the summer.

My van is an 87 tin-top with the AC that runs along the roof. AC system is shot to the point that it either needs recharged via R12, or converted to R134. If I can find an R12 shop in town I might give it a shot before spending the $300+ on the R134 conversion. But I'm getting mixed reviews on that solution. Would probably end up costing more in the end anyway.

At any rate, I know there are a TON of people out there driving these vans around without AC, so I'm curious how you do it. We drove the van through Portland to the coast las summer on a 95+ day and I honestly thought I was going to die. Admittedly, that was ONE trip (250 miles) of the nearly 4,000 that we drove last summer...so maybe this is a non-issue and I just need to suck it up.

Things to consider...

- My drivers side window wouldn't roll down. So that's first thing on my list. The wing window was okay while moving, but did nothing while sitting. Even moving, 98 degree air doesn't feel good.
- Window tint?
- Put the curtains up and deal with low visibility?
- When we camped with Newfisher this winter he had his roof painted with bed liner (I believe) and said it made a world of difference. Assuming I can't find silver bed liner, my roof would end up black which seams like it would me worse off than before. I do plan on painting the van, but not this year. So maybe this mod will wait until the new paint job comes around.
- Are there any 12volt fans out there that you could install on the dash or something?

Any input appreciated!

I just want to enjoy the van. Maybe we just shouldn't go camping if it's that hot
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<<Tyler>>
1987.5 Wolfsburg Weekender / CHC / 2.0 ABA
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[mikemtnbike]

My answer is to sweat lots and hydrate more.

Wife does not like that answer. Dogs seem to agree with her.

So, while I will likely start messing around the AC to at some point (haven't ever even put a belt on it) the other options I know of are to paint the van roof white and tint the windows.
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[h00drat]

[Terry Kay]

R12-A plus all the stuff you mentioned, do not yack the dash.

You can have Raptor bedliner tinted any color you want, slide away from the computer , grab the yellow pages, and find a local auto body supply store.
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T.K.

[h00drat]

[Terry Kay]

You didn't pick up on the "A" in as alternative.

There are reams of info here on using Red Tek & how & what to do..
How to perform every recharging operation using R12A which blows as cold as R-12 without causing damage to the system components as 134-A will.

I think you can find it under; DIY Red Tek
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T.K.

[h00drat]

[0to60in6min]

to begin.. paint your roof white... I use marine grade paint with foam roller..

[h00drat]

[newfisher]

Red Tek thread:
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=...mp;start=0

I had Line-x sprayed on the roof and while masked up, shot the base coat color of the van and then cleared it. Noise reduction and I'm sure some heat reduction as it does insulate. The full length rack with solar, Yakima box and the sand ramps along the other side provide a " shaded" roof. The limo tint and curtains also help. I converted my a/c to r134a after the Subaru swap and It works well.


My neighbor did this and seemed to knock down the heat a few degrees last summer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxSLbpAwibg

[h00drat]

[0to60in6min]

[geo_tonz]

[h00drat]

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