Small Car Performance, DIY Front A/C Installation

[within the law]

SC install almost completed 5 days ?!... think it could have been 3 easy if the SC instructions weren't soooooo poor.... below are photos of the wire that needs to be tied into compressor clutch signal wire for those w/ digifant systems...it signals the idle stabilization unit ... w/g from left engine bay... (p 31 pro training)

[JudoJeff]

My first long road trip with the new air conditioning was great! So cold, dare I say it, I was tempted to blend heat in! (Blasphemy! Take him to the whipping post!)

Very happy with the in dash system.

Any thoughts on the rear system? Feedback does help my thought process....
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[ALIKA T3]

Wow, I'm jealous, mine's on a long project van, I wish I could experience that as well right now. How gratifying it must be

Congrats!
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Silicone Steering Boots and 930 Cv boots for sale in the classifieds.
Syncro transmission upgrade parts in the Classifieds.
Subaru EJ22+UN1 5 speed transmission
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=416343
Syncro http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4...num+gadget

[kourt]

Even with my Stage 2 fan being dead, the van delivered cold air on a 95 degree day.

Culprits: corroded grounds, burned wiring in the fuse box at position 1.

Solutions: new ground trees from GW, new 30A fuse bypass for fuse position 1.

Someday someone is going to inherit this van and wonder what the hell I did. Better label everything.

kourt

[r39o]

[within the law]

dash unit buttoned up .... had new lines made w/ #8 & #10 fittings ac shop but they won't connect to compressor (sanden 7499 or 9264 ac compressor ) purchased at buyautoparts.com ..... as well as all local parts shop selling same unit w/ same size rear threads ( that ac shop couldn't find anything to match ?) .... anyhow i've now got my 8 & 10 fittings in the engine bay & need appropriate compressor ..... suggestions folks ?

[JudoJeff]

These are standardized fittings, not sure why your compressor won't fit them. You have female #8 and #10 hose connections? Maybe you picked up an oddball overseas unit? Can you switch out the ports on the compressor? Find an adapter?

So go to the parts store and walk the unit out to the vehicle to see if they fit. Don't have a better idea.....
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[izzydog]

I've been watching this thread and plotting my SC install for a few months and now it's time to get it going. I have a few questions:

-- Hoses/fittings: I'll to do the hoses myself. Anyone try EZ Clips? Or should I just get the Mastercool crimper?

-- Are Vintage Air's Superflow condensers any better than a "normal" parallel condenser? The Global Air 16x22 condenser (CN-PF1622) can be had for $55/free ship from Amazon. Nostalgic has a Superflow for $89 + ship.

Thanks.

[JudoJeff]

Ez clip very easy with smaller hoses.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[izzydog]

[JudoJeff]

EZ-clip uses GH-134 hoses, designed for the system. All sizes, #6,8, or 10 are much smaller than any other hoses. They feed through the van much easier and have a better bend radius . If you can buy them on Ebay, you'll save $$$.


The parallel condenser I can't address, don't know about the Superflow one. Vintage Air makes high quality products. You need to size the condenser to the Compressor; too big of a compressor can overwhelm the condenser; too small and it can't keep up. You compare the cubic inches in each unit, I think, (not sure) the ratio is about 25% larger condenser. I can look it up if you really want to know. Vintage Air will also give you excellent recommendations, and they're smarter than I am....
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[izzydog]

Thanks - I'll check on the condenser size via the compressor. Always assumed that you got the largest one that will fit.

[kourt]

Update on this: my stage 2 fan relay (position 5) was bad. It was a Meyle general relay from GoWesty. I have another Meyle in there now, but I imagine I'll put a VW relay in there soon. I also found a replacement fuse panel for $20. Popped the halves open, cleaned with compressed air, then cleaned with DeOxit, dried, and reassembled. No more melted fuse slots. I also cleaned the van's ground trees. Stage 2 fan is running again. All is well.

kourt

[izzydog]

Do I need to add shrouds to the area between the radiator and condenser to keep the fan from sucking air from around the condenser instead of through it?

[JudoJeff]

I have the normal VW-Go West air deflectors on mine, but didn't "seal" between the radiator and condenser . Don't let the condenser touch the radiator, though.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[vwcrazyfamily]

Hello and thank you to all those that who have posted their work. I will be installing the SC kit over the next few weekends. Quick question, did everyone power the system directly from the battery or was anyone able to utilize the power feed to fuse S15 on a pre 1986? Fuse #15 is the 25A feed for the old AC system. If using fuse 15 have you had any issues? Thanks for the help

[JudoJeff]

It has to be key-on power, so fuse15 sounds fine. I didn't think of that!
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[vwcrazyfamily]

[JudoJeff]

You're right, I forgot about that. I connected up to the battery with #6 wire.
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)

[JudoJeff]

My radio was in front of the shifter, but the new in dash A/C is slightly more forward and I wasn't going into 1st or 3rd maybe one out of ten times.

I listen to audio books while driving so a single mech radio wasn't good enough for my needs. I found a marine radio case on Ebay for $29, and mounted it on the dash.

Now I have the old mount to sell here, it really is rather rare!
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1989 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Burned up on 7/31/16.
1987 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig & Rebuilt, sold
1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia Camper, Bostig Sold May 10, 2021
1999 Ford GTRV Westfalia camper (30% bigger Westy layout)