Aftermarket Air Conditioning

[randywebb]

Has anyone added a/c to a van without it?

IF so, how well did it work & what all did you have to do to get the cool air up near the driver?
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[Syncroincity]

https://sites.google.com/site/blakeheinlein/blake/air-conditioning-project

Vintage Air system complete documentation.
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'86 Syncro CHC Top AAZ Turbodiesel
'04 Passat Variant 4Mo 5MT

Vanagon Build: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=466866&highlight=

[presslab]

My van didn't come with AC and I found a used Behr unit and installed it in the dash. It works well and I spent less than $500, although I already had the Subaru compressor.

Search for "behr":
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/search.php?search_keywords=behr&search_forum=20
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1986 Vanagon Westfalia EJ25
1988 Subaru GL-10 EJ20G --- 2000 Honda XR650L
2010 Titus El Guapo --- 2011 On-One 456 Ti

[MarkWard]

I followed Blake's install and made only a few changes. I mounted the relays where I could access them without removing the dash and made some custom adapters from fiberglass to attach the stock defroster vents. I also used a bulkhead fitting for the AC lines so that I could get the dash back together and start using the vanagon while I finished the project.

I don't believe it cools enough for the rear passengers, but up front we are styling. Here is a picture of the finished dash. I post this only because Blake's documentation showed adding a second dashboard cover for his radio and it appeared to also be covering the center dash ducts. I contacted Blake a few times during my install and he explained the ducts do fit under the dash. He was correct. I installed a remote Clarion marine stereo for tunes. Bonus, the stereo has a weather band, handy when you are camping.

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[JPrato]

Here is my under dash Vintage Air set up. Like rsxsr says, it works well for the front passengers. I'm working on a second blower to pump cool through the stock channel through the door and over to the slider door vents.

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Joe

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

[MarkWard]

^ looks familiar. I should add, going with a system like vintage air, you end up with basically a brand new system designed for R134. It also includes a new heater core. Not to say that a used system from a Vanagon would not be worth the trouble, but you would be installing old parts that when and if they fail, in some cases may not be available. We also use the heck out of our rear overhead cabinet. It holds a ton of food supplies. Well relatively speaking.
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[shepherdsond]

Nice installs, nice to see you can do it cleanly without the double cluster. Looks like the only drawback is losing the radio slot. Could either of you hazard a rough estimate of what you spent (everything except the compressor)?

[presslab]

[MarkWard]

Initially I was into to it for less than $800 I believe on my original purchase which included the evap, condensor, drier and trinary switch. I purchased those from Summit Racing. It started to get more expensive when I purchased the fittings and hose, along with another supplemental order for some defroster vents that I was not able to use and too lazy to return. Hooking up the defoster reliably ended up being one of the more challenging tasks. So, less than $1500, but more than a $1000. On Blake's site somewhere he has the original order sheet.

My diesel had a 1 year only radiator which had to be upgraded at the same time that I installed the condensor. I used a wider one than Blake did. I also had to replace the radiator shroud and fan, but was able to salvage them from the junk yard. I missed the rad fan resistor and ended up adding one from a EuroVan that was readily available. I also added to addtional relays for taking the load for the compressor and for the 2nd speed radiator.

In the end, when the compressor is on, the radiator is on low, when the head pressure builds, the rad fan is on medium, when the head pressure exceeds the trinary switch the rad fan goes to high. It is all straight forward. I did modify the rad fan temp switch wiring to switch grounds rather than power. Was just easier to do it that way when working with multple relays. mark
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[r39o]

[MarkWard]

Here are the adapters I made. The slip onto the underside of the center defroster vents and accept the Vintage Air defroster hoses.

As far as the cooling up front, vent temps seem to be around 45F, flow is decent on the medium speed. On high it blows like crazy, but is a little noisey for me. It is just my wife and I. The dog spends time between us and when he gets cold, slips into the back. Never had any passengers for our road trips. A second unit under the back seat crossed my mind, but would be lot to figure out. Just glad to have ac finally.

I am using the stock dash side fresh air vents along with the center vents that are mounted in the radio slot. They were supplied by vintage air. Blake uses round ones, but I felt the rectangular ones fit the style better. What you see on the dash top infront of the ashtray is a factory speaker grill cover for the 82. The side defroster vents are disabled. The Vintage air controls are mounted in place of the factory air fresh air/heat controls.

The stereo is mounted behind the lower dash panel and has a remote head unit that I installed into the head liner.

I think I answered all of your questions.
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[I am Wildcat]

To do right, it's very expensive. Unless you've got the a/c tools and know how yourself. Here's a few pics on the system I had put in this last summer.

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No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+

[Zeitgeist 13]

Love the install. I assume that setup has two evaporators, right? Can you tell us what compressor is used with this configuration?

Thanks
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[I am Wildcat]

Yes, there are separate evaporators for the front and rear a/c units, so two total. The compressor is a Sanden, I believe. I can't recall the model number, but I will post some pictures of it next time I'm near the van (in a week or two).

Because of the 1.9TD engine compartment layout, I had a custom bracket made for the compressor that allows easier access to the battery (which is located inside the engine compartment). I'm really happy with the setup.
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No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+

[dr. no]

Hey, I'd love some details on the compressor installation--I have JX 1.6td and need a what to add that bracket...
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Scott
http://lungehphoto.com

'83.5 Westy s/p 1.6td JX and 4sp DK transplant--wonderful!
'86 MB 300GD
'06 MB Sprinter
'17 BMW X1
'89 Isuzu Trooper


PAST VWs:
'82 NA diesel Vanagon
'86 7-passenger Vanagon
'77 Bay
'71 Bay
'74 Things (2)
'69 Karmann Ghia (the only one I miss--in nice weather, anyway...)
'91 Fox

[I am Wildcat]

Here is the only photo I've got on my computer right now that shows the compressor at all. The bracket that holds the alternator is good, but not ideal. There is a little bit of space where the alternator wants to touch the battery sometimes, so the plan is to ultimately move the main battery to underneath the driver's seat.

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No more van. Wildcat has a new home.
1997 Land Rover Defender 90
2005 MB SL55 AMG
2014 Tesla Model S P85+

[krscholz]

I'm pretty comfortable around cars and can fix almost anything, however installing an aftermarket AC is intentionally out of my league. I decided to go with Small Car Performance near Tacoma WA. Considering the time and expenses of doing it myself, I decided it wasn't worth it. I have heard good stuff about this company and have decided to leave it up to them. I'm having my system installed the week before Thanksgiving this year (2017). Please feel free to contact me with any questions after the install.

[dyldebus]

[77 Riviera Owner]

[Abscate]

I think these systems are expansion valve systems but Ive just discovered adjustable orifice valve systems which purportedly address the idle speed performance of these systems by adjusting, somehow. Ive pinged my vendor for more details

Im not an AC expert so I might be blowing smoke here.
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.ssS!