AC unit..

[ibme]

Hi again!!!
I have 1972 F250 and it has one of those AC units that is attached to lower part of the dash. I'm thinking about removing the thing cause it just looks like an eye sore sittin there, and takes up space, and my shifter hits the thing when I shift in to reverse. The thing works, I mean it blows air but it just does not get hot enough where I live to really use it. I guess my question is, Anything I should be aware of when I attempt to remove the thing?
Thanks...
Marc

[FORDification]

That depends on whether you're talking about a factory air setup or a dealer add-on.

The factory A/C setup also includes the heater core, so unless you replace it with a standard heater box, you're not going to have any warm air in the cab. If it's a dealer add-on, removing it is pretty straight-forward.

Is the A/C system charged up? To be environmentally conscious, you should have a repair shop evacuate the system so that the Freon won't be released into the atmosphere.

...and after you get everything removed, make a post in the Parts for Sale section of the forums, since there's a lot more people here wanting to add A/C then delete it.

[fordman]

just capture the freon.

[ibme]

Hi Keith.
How would I tell if it's a factory or dealer add-on?
The heater controlls are in the dash and the ac unit has on and off swith on it as well as vents of it's own.
Thanks..
Marc

[FORDification]

If you can control the A/C with the same dash controls as the heater, then it's a factory setup. Here's an example....look at the left side of the bottom slider, you can see markings for A/C.



If the underdash setup has it's own on/off switch, it's a self-contained dealer add-on.

Here's an example of a factory setup:



...and here's one example of a dealer add-on. There are lots of different styles, though, so yours may look different:



I have a lot of pictures of various dealer add-on A/C setups HERE, along with a few pics of factory units.

[ibme]

Hi Keith..
Perfect! Looks like I got the add on. I can take it out. Cool. I remember you saying that a allot of people wanted these things, Hell I can't find anybody to fill the thing, they all tell me the system is outdated and I have to upgrade to the newer, Liberal, Commie one that all the tree huggers want us to use. The system works it just needs the coolent or what ever they use put in.
Thanks for all your help..
Marc

PS
I saw this on Ebay check it out..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... AMEWA%3AIT

[flyboy2610]

Make sure you get the compressor brackets and the idler pulley bracket off the engine.
There are always members looking for those!

[rjewkes]

actualy if it was light enough to ship all wthe way out here i'd buy the whole ac setup including the hose retaining brackets from the inner fenders. is it the fridgiking?

[fordman]

they lie to you. you can still get r12 but it costs

[ibme]

Hi again..
I got the AC unit out... When I let the pressure out it made a looooong hiss, and when I set the compressor on the ground it leaked a bunch of sizzling dark rust covered fluid. It kinda reminded me of science class and watching acid bubble as ate through something, Cept the stuff didn't eat through anything. They guy I bought the truck from said the system worked and that it just needed to be filled, He turned on the switch and left it on for a bit and I did notice a small change in air temp. So I never thought much about it. When I get all the brackets, little canister and what looks like a small radiator out of the thing I will see if someone wants to buy the whole setup. I would just hate like hell to sell sombody somthing and when they hook it up the darn thing don't work, cause like I said I never filled the system. I will take a picture of the whole setup when it's out and post it.
Thanks..
Marc

[Joe Kriston]

Marc.
The value in what you are removing would be in the under dash unit itself and like Flyboy mentioned the brackets and pulleys...The system will have to be evacuated anyway,and most likely the hoses and connectors will be bad...A used compressor and condensor is always a crapshoot,so whoever would buy your unit may get those new...

You know,my brother and I were talking today about how the cost of getting air conditioning repair work has skyrocketed...Here,in Arizona,one would not even consider a vehicle that had no a/c...But we both remembered how years ago,if your a/c compressor went bad,you removed it,covered the hoses with a rubber band around a plastic bag,got a working one at a junkyard for $20,put it on,then stuck a couple of .99 cent cans of freon in it until that little thermometer you'd stick in the air vents would read about 60 degrees and you were on your way...Now,they scare you into drying,evacuating and replacing all your hoses and valves because the cost of freon is so high and you have to be certified to purchase it...I understand about the environment and all,but I feel that this new r-whatever freon was a great way to fleece the public into spending lots of money to keep cool in the summer...Sorry....My grumble for the day....

[ibme]

Howdy..
Thanks for all the Info... But on this system I pulled out all the connectors the brass fittings, the hoses the belt all look new. They actually have a bright shine to them. The only thing that looks a little old is the AC under dash unit. The unit like I said works and all the wood grain stickers are still there, I just think it needs to be cleaned up and it should look pretty darn good. When I get it all cleaned up I will post some pic's.. But I still have to tackle the small radiator looking thing sitting in front of the cars radiator. I am trying to take most of everything I can out in one piece so who I ever gets it will only have to install just a few things.
Thanks..
Marc

[fordman]

joe you are right to grumble.

[1970F250]

im stupid i pulled out my AC. i was like "im young i can handle the heat." now im like "its hot! stupid, stupid, stupid. " i still have all the stuff (but the radiator thing and the can thing) so im going to put it back in soon.

[fordman]

what can thing? the dryer?