Removing AC System? '84 Cab
05-30-2006, 01:15 PM
#1
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Removing AC System? '84 Cab
Ok, so I'm under the hood doing some things, and I'm wondering exactly what should / could be removed IF I were to consider removing the AC system.
For:
• I have never used the AC on the car - it's a Cab, and I'm into open air.
• Reduce weight
• 1 less belt to replace
• I see no indications it's been updated to R134a
Against:
• It's the way the car came to me, and I'm not looking to de-value the car necessarily
• storing the components (which I would do) will only take up space somewhere.
I see one of the compressor hoses goes to the condenser, but the other one dives down ahead of the engine... I also see the other side of the condenser hose goes engine-forward as well. These go... ?
Electrical - any issues with taping up the connectors at the compressor? Anything else?
If someone knows how much weight I'll be saving, that'd be good to know as well. Thanks!
For:
• I have never used the AC on the car - it's a Cab, and I'm into open air.
• Reduce weight
• 1 less belt to replace
• I see no indications it's been updated to R134a
Against:
• It's the way the car came to me, and I'm not looking to de-value the car necessarily
• storing the components (which I would do) will only take up space somewhere.
I see one of the compressor hoses goes to the condenser, but the other one dives down ahead of the engine... I also see the other side of the condenser hose goes engine-forward as well. These go... ?
Electrical - any issues with taping up the connectors at the compressor? Anything else?
If someone knows how much weight I'll be saving, that'd be good to know as well. Thanks!
05-30-2006, 03:26 PM
#2
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Someone here has weighed every little component ...try the archives. But I could tell you that you will lose around 60lbs or so in the condensers (two), evaporator, receiver/drier, hoses (heavy rubber, all of them), and of course the compressor. And get into the smuggler's box as well and lose a few more pounds. It is a significant weight loss and a worthy mod, IMHO.
OTOH, if you ever think that selling will be an option, you may want to keep everything there and simply remove the compressor as that is easy to fit back in. The a/c system may not work, but at least you can advertise the car as having the pieces in place. Then again, lots of folks KNOW the a/c is bogus on these cars anyway so may not care that your is ng if you decide to sell later on. If I were you, do what YOU want for now and don't concern yourself with what "may" be.
Edward
OTOH, if you ever think that selling will be an option, you may want to keep everything there and simply remove the compressor as that is easy to fit back in. The a/c system may not work, but at least you can advertise the car as having the pieces in place. Then again, lots of folks KNOW the a/c is bogus on these cars anyway so may not care that your is ng if you decide to sell later on. If I were you, do what YOU want for now and don't concern yourself with what "may" be.
Edward
05-30-2006, 08:59 PM
#3
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Fred: Edward is right. Regarding the weight issue my SC lost 65 lbs when I removed every clamp, screw, washer and component of the system. A more effective thing to do, if you or the next owner plan to restore the system some day, is to remove the compressor, its platform, and the condenser under the rear lid. This gets rid of a large part of the weight, provides additional cooling air to the engine, and is easy to put back together. The condenser hose that goes forward into the car can be plugged and tied off between the upper, rear shock towers. The compressor hose can be plugged and tied off under the oil filter. Plugging the hoses will keep out both contamination and moisture, both would create havoc when the A/C would be restored. When I plug the hoses I use a tapered rubber plug that fits the end of the hose tightly, and then put a ZipLoc freezer bag over the hose end, wrap it tightly and cinch it down with a couple of ty-raps.
Pete
Pete
