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Magicbus91
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2025
Posts: 2
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 Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 11:49 pm Post subject: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestions |
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I have a 91 Westfalia Weekends Vanaru. I have rubber hoses and would prefer a higher BTU air conditioner than the stock version. It can work with the Subaru Legacy 2.2 OR be an external A/C unit that uses the inverter and has as outlet… through a window or?
Any and all feedback and suggestions are appreciated? Thanks |
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Kdj
Samba Member
Joined: January 28, 2017
Posts: 340
Location: Naptown
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 6:54 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestionspp |
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Welcome to the madness  I generally use google to search this site. There are quite a few options and opinion's on what is the best way to go with A/C.
This is an example of the information available. Somewhere in that long thread is a bunch of other links to A/C options.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=591615&postorder=desc |
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4624
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 7:12 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestionspp |
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| Magicbus91 wrote: |
I have a 91 Westfalia Weekends Vanaru. I have rubber hoses and would prefer a higher BTU air conditioner than the stock version. It can work with the Subaru Legacy 2.2 OR be an external A/C unit that uses the inverter and has as outlet… through a window or?
Any and all feedback and suggestions are appreciated? Thanks |
That's a convoluted and (mistyped?) post...."weekends"? ... And since it's your first post made on the same day you joined yesterday, you're under suspicion of validity.
Unless you're doing a survey/compiling a list of AC options I'll assume you are asking because you're is not working so well and since the late AC you have is a very high BTU system and (when set up properly) adequate in the hottest temps..... I'll conclude your system isn't keeping you cool.
And since you have a converted van, possibly something is amiss with your set up.
To help further, please describe in more detail what you are looking to achieve, what you have and the history of it (pics of compressor please), and what you have tried already to get what you are looking to achieve.
And that link, though it sure contain allot of info, starts off with the small car unit which has a BTU level less than the system you have.
Until I see a relevant reply from you I'm concluding you are not a valid user and will not be replying.
_________________
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 |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8538
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:35 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestionspp |
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The stock system will cool you to your bones if working as intended, but it’ll cost you $1k to DIY it correctly. AC shops won’t do what needs to be done because it involves removing cabinets, etc. & they’d rather do 10 small jobs in the time it takes to do one Vanagon.
…or are you gonna be this guy?  
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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Ahwahnee
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10307
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 8:45 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestionspp |
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The first thing I would do (and perhaps you already have)) is confirm that the AC system you have is performing optimally.
Even the stock system on a WBX works well in all but extreme conditions so I wonder if there's something amiss with the Subaru system you have. |
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Magicbus91
Samba Member
Joined: August 12, 2025
Posts: 2
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 9:10 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestions |
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| yes, it is a weekender. I am new to owning a VW bus and bought her last Friday. The mechanics I spoke with indicated the cooling system is likely not going to meet air conditioning needs as it is over 100° for most of the summer. The air conditioning has not been used for over 10 years. So before I invest money to have the current air conditioning system fixed I was wondering if there were any system improvements I could consider having the mechanic install at the same time. |
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vanagonjr
Samba Member
Joined: October 07, 2010
Posts: 3680
Location: Dartmouth, Mass.
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vanis13
Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2010
Posts: 4624
Location: ABQ NM USA.... Except when not
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 10:13 am Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestions |
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| Magicbus91 wrote: |
| yes, it is a weekender. I am new to owning a VW bus and bought her last Friday. The mechanics I spoke with indicated the cooling system is likely not going to meet air conditioning needs as it is over 100° for most of the summer. The air conditioning has not been used for over 10 years. So before I invest money to have the current air conditioning system fixed I was wondering if there were any system improvements I could consider having the mechanic install at the same time. |
0) thanks for validating your authenticity and WELCOME!
1) you likely have the 'start' of the best AC system available - the later larger evaporator
1.1) if you had the early evaporator I would suggest this https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=793262&highlight=hold
1.2) the later AC electrical may be problematic. Several solutions if it turns out that way
2) your compressor may be questionable and unfortunately the later ej22 compressors maybe impossible to find
2.1) I've created a way to use a readily available high-capacity compressor on the EJ engines that uses standard fittings. if you have the OEM ej22 compressor you have the Subi fittings that will not fit anything else...if you end up having a bad compressor or just want to put on a new one to eliminate risk we can discuss in the future.
3) updating to a parallel flow compressor will help a lot. it is possible to fit a bigger one that the one GW offers
4) first thing to do before anything else is to pressure test your system to 500psi. since the high-pressure switch can be as high as 450psi, testing to 500 makes sense and it will let you know if your system is deficient in holding pressure.
**** DO #4 and report results and the next steps would flow from there
...unless you just want to scrap everything you have and start with all new (not recommended in your case)
5) you have a van (right) if you had a bus you'd be (left)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=331104
_________________
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 |
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MsTaboo 
Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2006
Posts: 4629
Location: East Kootenay, British Columbia
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 2:45 pm Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestions |
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| vanis13 wrote: |
5) you have a van (right) if you had a bus you'd be (left)
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NOT SO!
Despite the dreadful name (Vanagon - a mix of van & stationwagon thought up by VWA) the Transporter T3 is a bus.
Rear engine/drive, forward control layout like the old buses from the 50's, hence the original nickname.
To the OP, as others have stated, the stock Vanagon AC system actually works pretty good IF IT'S IN PRIME CONDITION. That means compressor, hoses, dryer, expansion valve all need to be in good, clean, condition and no leaks. Something yours won't have after sitting unused for years.
That said, there are a couple ways to improve it's performance: the old hoses replaced with new barrier hose (smaller diameter and better materials than 35 years ago), a new parallel style condenser - then the original evaporator flushed, new AC dryer, and the whole system checked for leaks and filled with newer type of refrigerant. And if using a conversion compressor be sure it's good.
But as noted, not cheap (about a $1000 diy). There is the retrofit front AC system sold by Small Car Performance in Tacoma, but also not cheap:
https://smallcar.com/parts-store/small-car-innovations/climate-control/
What part of the country are you living? Do you need AC all the time or just during these heat waves?
p.s. Welcome to the Samba!
_________________
Currently:
'90 Syncro Westy 3 knob w/Zetec
The information age has morphed into the age of disinformation and willful ignorance. Agnotology!
When you stir up shit you're bound to get some on yourself.
Resist Kleptocratic Oligarchy (and Idiocracy)! |
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dhaavers
Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2010
Posts: 8538
Location: NE MN (tinyurl.com/dhaaverslocation)
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| Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 3:51 pm Post subject: Re: 91 Westfalia multi weekender and non-factory A/C suggestions |
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OP: Are you willing to do any of this yourself?
- Dave
_________________
86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS> |
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