converting aircon to air compressor on 80series

[howsie]

Since having the car (2 years) the aircon has not worked but compressor is fine. I have been considering turning it into a compressor for tools / tyres. After searching and reading the threads on here about it I am confused, I know nothing about ac compressors or such installs.

Anyone got the idiots guide to turning ac into a compressor. Has anyone done this on an 80 before and maybe have some specific info and maybe photos to share. Not afraid to modify compressor but have no idea on the technical terms in relation to this topic.

Also is there a way to keep aircon but use it as a compressor as well as in the future I may decide I want aircon back or would I need a new compressor.

[80's_delirious]

I looked at doing it in my 80 even bought a spare compressor for it.
You could simply remove the A/C hoses and fit up air lines, the larger house on the A/C is the intake, the smaller one is the outlet/high pressure hose.
The big problem with the compressor used on 80 series is lubricating it. It relies on oil circulating within the A/C system. So if you use it to pump air, you need to add lube into the intake. Too little and it will quickly over heat and seize, too much and you will have an oily mess in your tyres, or when you use tools.
There are better compressors to use for an endless air/on-board-air system. The Sanden 501 or 701 (std on Sigmas and commodore) are readily available from wreckers and are often used as air compressors as they can be easily modified to be self lubricating, they have a separate chamber for oil, or can be filled with grease.

Google search for 'on board air' there is some good write ups on what needs to be modded, I'll try to find links I had saved to some of them.

[Willy Hilux]

I've done it to 2 hilux ones and just chuck a little oil down the intake every now and then but not very often. Never let me down. Use it for my lockers and air tools when needed. I've got a filter/reg before the locker setup to take out the oil and reduce the pressure back to about 90 psi. I run mine to 130 psi with no probs.

[howsie]

Might pull mine apart soon and see what the go is. If the hard part it keeping it lubed ill concentrate on that may be able to plumb a line into intake for oil and a seperator on the outlet to recirculate oil which would be driven by a small 12 volt electric motor. Then a filter after the oil seperator to further reduce the chance of oil getting in.

I'll make sure to get plenty of pics of what I end up doing (if I do it) and assuming it all works will post up the whole process