I just bought an 89 pickup 5spd with the 22r (or is it RE?), but it doesn't have any A/C system stuff. How hard would it be to drop a factory A/C system. I don't imagine the engine compartment stuff being hard, but can I just pop the A/C switch into the dash? I assume it goes where there is an empty spot. I've done stuff like this before, just not on a toyota.


Also if anyone knows where the vacuum diagram is, the BVSV was knocked clean off and god only knows where tehy ran the lines. Also there are 3 vacumm switches ontop of my valve cover and there is a spot for a fourth one and there is a spare plug. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

I'm putting A/C from a '89 4runner into my '84 p/u right now.

You'll need a compressor, compressor mounting bracket, discharge hose, suction hose, liquid lines, condenser, accumulator/drier, A/C switch, and the evaporator assembly.

In the '84 - '88 trucks you could get to the area under the dash where the evaporator assembly installs (in place of a duct section that connects the blower to the center air handling section) by simply removing the glove box and its reinforcing bar. I had the whole dash out so my experience was a little different. The wiring harness was ready with unused plugs for the A/C and the firewall had dimples that mark where the holes for the two refrigerant lines and the condensate drain line get drilled. I think I used 1-1/8", 7/8" and 5/8" holesaws.

With used A/C parts it makes a difference if you are buying a working system or one that crapped-out before it got to you. With junkyard parts you can't really tell. At minimum I'd replace the accumulator/drier. Since my stuff came off a real rusty junker I have to replace the condensor and repair the liquid line. I'm also replacing the drier, the expansion valve and the discharge hose. I'm going to bench test the compressor clutch, drain the oil out of the compressor to try to get an idea of its condition, flush it with clean oil and try to reuse it.

I've heard that good resources for new A/C replacement parts are ackits.com and/or rockauto.com. ackits.com also has an auto A/C forum. I priced the all the hoses and a reman compressor at the local Toyota dealer and got a quote of $850 <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> ackits.com sells a complete A/C kit for about $100 less than that. -- Matt

Buy a kit from www.ackits.com

That's what I did. It has good parts and the whole thing will set you back something like $600-700. I can't remember. It has everything you need and most of it is designed specificly for your truck to be drop in, including plug and play switch. The wiring is very simple, utilizing the factory harness and just a couple of extra wires.

The hoses are not specific to your truck, although they aren't too long or too short. You just have to figure out how to route them.

Everything is bolt on. It took a friend and I about a day to do it. I won't kid you. It's a project, but once finished, I was so glad to have to during the summer.

You can try to retrofit use OEM parts. The problem is finding all the stuff, making sure you have everything and then hoping nothing is broken. Cost is not going to be much less either.

Good luck.

ACkits.com has instructions that you can review too online I think. If not, send them an email and they will email you the instructions so you can see what you're in for.

I just purchased an 85 LC and the AC does not work. The guy said it just needs to be recharged. That said what should I do first? Have the system tested for leaks before charging? I know pretty much zero about how ac works so any suggestions would be appreciated. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

thanks for the info guys, that ac kits places is not too far from me, maybe I'll give them a visit
did he say how much it needs to be charged?
does the compressor turn on? if not, stick a can in there and if it kicks on then it was low. Low pressure or high pressure will stop the compressor from kicking on. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

You'll likely have to have it converted over to the new refrigerant since the old stuff is almost impossible to find or is super expensive.

Now is probably a good time of the year to get it worked on, since few people are thinking about it and prices for parts and labor might be cheaper.

If you know nothing about AC, find a good local shop and have them recharge and test it. Assuming it's out of refrigerent, the old stuff is probably too expensive to test with, so they will probably want to convert over to the new stuff, which involves the replacement of some seals and a few other things.

yes, good points, make sure it isnt all ready converted^


Okay, can anyone tell if a system from an 85-86 work in my 89? I have v-belts.