Author Topic: Converting non a/c truck to a/c  (Read 8467 times)

Offline sonicbluezx3

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Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« on: September 23, 2011, 06:06:55 PM »
Okay some of you may have seen my original post about my project... in case you haven't, basically I took the non a/c cab off of my K10 and am replacing it with a cab that comes with a/c.

The cab had been sitting for a while and the wiring harness had been cut (I have to buy all new connectors since whoever cut everything out cut it so far down to not allow for enough wire for soldering...idiots).... I should also mention that I have a 6.2 diesel that has been swapped in, so I am going to need to tap into the vacuum pump for this setup. The cab is a 1983.

I can take a picture of everything I have tomorrow. I took everything off of the truck because I was planning on getting rid of it and swapping over the heater only from my current cab, but I decided that I want to have the A/C.

I know I am going to need:
A/C bracket for the 6.2
Compressor
The lines that run across the engine to the compressor (one is suction not sure what the other one is called)

I already replaced the heater core since the metal tubes running to it were cut off from being brittle. I cleaned everything up and I am planning on putting it back in this weekend. I would like to replace the stuff that is hard to fix when it breaks just because I don't know what works and what doesn't. I work at Napa so I get a discount on this stuff.

Anyone have a wiring diagram and a vacuum line diagram?

Thanks!
1986 Chevy K10 w/ 1983 Cab, 1984 Bed, 1987 Doors and a 6.2 Diesel Swap w/ 700R4 Trans. Truck body completely re-done between 2010 and 2012.

Offline VileZambonie

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #1 on: September 24, 2011, 09:56:49 AM »
R4 or A6 compressor?
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Offline sonicbluezx3

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #2 on: September 24, 2011, 07:18:43 PM »
Not sure.... my truck didn't come with A/C. The "new" cab didn't come with the compressor or condenser. How do I tell?
1986 Chevy K10 w/ 1983 Cab, 1984 Bed, 1987 Doors and a 6.2 Diesel Swap w/ 700R4 Trans. Truck body completely re-done between 2010 and 2012.

Offline sonicbluezx3

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #3 on: September 24, 2011, 07:42:02 PM »
Here are some pictures of the A/C components I have.... I took close ups of the switches that I'm not sure what they are.

First of all, here's a picture of the heater core I replaced:


This looks weird I know but I have it sitting on my porch in front of the air box. I am just wondering about the metal piece on the bottom that someone cut and crimped off. What is that?


This is a close up of the accumulator. Pretty sure that the connector on the left is the pressure switch, all I need to know is if that is true and where that pigtail is supposed to go. Also, what is attached to the pigtail to the right of that?


Last, this is the blower motor resistor correct?


Thanks for the help!
1986 Chevy K10 w/ 1983 Cab, 1984 Bed, 1987 Doors and a 6.2 Diesel Swap w/ 700R4 Trans. Truck body completely re-done between 2010 and 2012.

Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2011, 01:17:24 AM »
The piece cut off & crimped is the tube that runs to the condenser. You would take off the "nut" & install a new tube, the nut is part of the tube. When you get the new one, it will all make sense.
The third picture is the pressure switch & the A/C relay. The last picture is the blower fan resistor. Can't figure why someone would cut the wiring like that, guess maybe to scrap copper wire? What you really need is to find another A/C cab & remove the harness & install it in yours. The harness goes from the fusebox, to the heaterbox & also to the compressor...your missing some important stuff.  Lorne

Offline sonicbluezx3

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2011, 07:22:24 PM »
Okay cool thanks for the help. I went to LKQ today and got a few things... one being the wiring harness for the A/C. I cut it off where it should enter the firewall. Do you know what colors go where? And since my truck didn't come with A/C originally, where would I run the wires to on the fusebox?
1986 Chevy K10 w/ 1983 Cab, 1984 Bed, 1987 Doors and a 6.2 Diesel Swap w/ 700R4 Trans. Truck body completely re-done between 2010 and 2012.

Offline 1979C20

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #6 on: September 25, 2011, 08:15:24 PM »
For the line that is cut and crimped, this may help. http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20978.15 I had to repair that as well. I got an orifice tube repair.kit for 15 bucks at oreilly and rented a flare tool. The repair kit comes with all the fittings to repair it, and has the orifice tube already inside it.
1979 SCLB C20 Q-jet 350 SM465 14b F.F. 4.10 G80
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Offline HAULIN IT

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2011, 09:01:38 PM »
I cut it off where it should enter the firewall. Do you know what colors go where? And since my truck didn't come with A/C originally, where would I run the wires to on the fusebox?
An LKQ open on Sunday?
Why did you cut the wires? The original problem you had was cut wires...you go to the trouble to get the correct harness & cut it up ??? If you had the plug you left @ the junkyard you would know what cavity the wires would go in. You still have the same problem...a cut up wiring harness for your A/C. 

Offline sonicbluezx3

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Re: Converting non a/c truck to a/c
« Reply #8 on: September 26, 2011, 07:27:26 PM »
The wires aren't in the best shape and I didn't get charged for it. My original problem was wires cut so short I couldn't solder them.... I'm just going to buy new connectors, but this gives me a reference to how it all goes. I figured I could find a wiring diagram and go from there.
1986 Chevy K10 w/ 1983 Cab, 1984 Bed, 1987 Doors and a 6.2 Diesel Swap w/ 700R4 Trans. Truck body completely re-done between 2010 and 2012.