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aircom

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 5:49 pm
by yella_rangie
i have a 1981 2 door rangie with nooooo aircon..and boy is it hot in that thing. i have heard of an aftermarket type aircon that is cheap and effective but have no more details other that it is used in hotrods sometimes..anyone done this or know of something similar..

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:29 pm
by Philip A
There must be lots of oldish Rangies out there at wreckers with their aircon still there.
Buy the interior stuff ie the hang on unit including the evaporator , housing including vents and motor, and buy new hoses, compressor and standard condensor. These are available from any aircon place. Do not forget to get the compressor bracket, That is the most important bit under the bonnet and the only bit that is custom to Rangies. Plus a pair of fans and you are away.

All Classic hard dash aircons are just Italian??( Alpinaire) hang on units, but designed for a Rangie dash. they are completely separate to the heater. it would be hard to integrate one into the heater box as the heater is on all the time. Most cars have a valve for the hot water.
Any way you look at it , It will cost you about $1500 IMHO. Depends on how much assembly you can do yourself. If you were REALLY REALLY lucky you might find a working one but I reckon they would be like hens teeth.
Reagrds Philip A

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:41 pm
by Bush65
For what it is worth, the system in my 84 rrc is Smiths Industries.

It has never worked since I have had the vehicle, but I found a broken wire to the compessor clutch the other day while rewiring the engine bay.

The Alpinair may be better.

Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 7:56 pm
by Philip A
Look they are all just mechano sets of various vendors bits, except where the make provides a "custom" dash unit. They all have similar compressors, receiver driers, condensors, but maybe different evaporators to match the custom hang on dimensions.
Any non working aircon regardless of brand will cost a similar amount to rehabilitate. Compressor, receiver drier are the minimum . But you will have to add hoses etc if it is empty because odds are its an R12 unit, and you can only legally fill it with R134A or maybe another new replacement gas.
Reagdrs Philip A