Stock ac install.

[ElliotV]

So it's summer and I am roasting in my truck and have all the oe parts to install it but looking for some information before I start tearing it apart. My truck didn't come with the ac controls in it but the guy I bought it from had the EVAP box and the condenser plus the ac bracket from another truck but not the climate control with the ac function. I picked up a 86 parts truck with said ac function(and the same color which is nice). So my main questions are

 

How does one remove the climate control unit from these trucks?

What does is take to wire up the new climate control unit? Are all the connectors the same or will I have to cut and splice everything? I figure I will have to wire up at least the compressor to the switch but curious if there is anything else I should know.

Also what is the best way to seal up the evap box and the blower motor assembly? I know there is a sort of foam seal that goes in there curious if anyone has a preferred brand or type that they use. I have done ac work before so not completely new to this.

[NC85ST]

Most likely all of the wiring is there for the a/c. You shouldn’t have to cut any wires, you just have to find them. Hopefully you got the clips for the evap box. If you look at the thread, “1983.5 retirement truck”, Madkaw just posted a couple of pictures of the evap box blower motor seal. The climate control is not hard to remove. There are physical cables that slip off, it’s just getting them correctly set again that can be challenging. I can get a couple of pictures the climate control partially removed if you need them.

[ElliotV]

Just now, NC85ST said:

Most likely all of the wiring is there for the a/c. You shouldn’t have to cut any wires, you just have to find them. Hopefully you got the clips for the evap box. If you look at the thread, “1983.5 retirement truck”, Madkaw just posted a couple of pictures of the evap box blower motor seal. The climate control is not hard to remove. There are physical cables that slip off, it’s just getting them correctly set again that can be challenging. I can get a couple of pictures the climate control partially removed if you need them.

I'm sure I will be able to take pics when I take it out of the parts truck and my truck. I will have to look at madkaws post. I honestly don't know if I have the clips or not 

[Madkaw]

It’s not an easy job to convert a non AC truck !

[NC85ST]

I’m curious as to what makes it difficult? I can see it being time consuming, with a lot of attention to detail.

[Madkaw]

Do you have a good compressor ? You wont find a rebuilt 720 one that’s worth a shit . Need to upgrade to a hardbody which means the line ends have to be changed or hoses need changed someway . Then there’s all the other components that I would swap with new like the evaporator and valve . I thought I had to do something with the wiring since my 83 didn’t come with air . I took a piece of the harness off the same truck I got the other parts . The OEM fans are weak and worn out and theres gaps everywhere in the ducting so you need re-seal them all . 
It’s not real difficult but it’s not a small job 

[ElliotV]

5 minutes ago, Madkaw said:

Do you have a good compressor ? You wont find a rebuilt 720 one that’s worth a shit . Need to upgrade to a hardbody which means the line ends have to be changed or hoses need changed someway . Then there’s all the other components that I would swap with new like the evaporator and valve . I thought I had to do something with the wiring since my 83 didn’t come with air . I took a piece of the harness off the same truck I got the other parts . The OEM fans are weak and worn out and theres gaps everywhere in the ducting so you need re-seal them all . 
It’s not real difficult but it’s not a small job 

I can still get a 720 compressor and evaporator as well as expansion valves and a receiver dryer from RockAuto

[bottomwatcher]

Somebody did an extensive list on here somewhere putting in a parts list to install a brand new system. I was going to use it to renew my AC but I can't find the thread.

[ElliotV]

Just now, bottomwatcher said:

Somebody did an extensive list on here somewhere putting in a parts list to install a brand new system. I was going to use it to renew my AC but I can't find the thread.

I feel like I have seen that before but no idea where it is I did see one guy used a heater core and EVAP out of a early Honda civic

[Madkaw]

4 hours ago, ElliotV said:

I can still get a 720 compressor and evaporator as well as expansion valves and a receiver dryer from RockAuto

Does the compressor ends match your hoses ?

[ElliotV]

2 minutes ago, Madkaw said:

Does the compressor ends match your hoses ?

I don't know. I do have a old compressor but i would assume they match. It pulls up the same part numbers as auto parts stores

[Madkaw]

1 hour ago, ElliotV said:

I don't know. I do have an old compressor but i would assume they match. It pulls up the same part numbers as auto parts stores

[Madkaw]

Just now, Madkaw said:

1 hour ago, ElliotV said:

I don't know. I do have an old compressor but i would assume they match. It pulls up the same part numbers as auto parts stores

When I’ve tried ordering a new compressor for a 720 all I found was d21 compressors -even though they said they fit a 720.  The fitting on 720 hose ends didn’t match the compressor . Maybe you got lucky

[ElliotV]

3 minutes ago, Madkaw said:

When I’ve tried ordering a new compressor for a 720 all I found was d21 compressors -even though they said they fit a 720.  The fitting on 720 hose ends didn’t match the compressor . Maybe you got lucky

You are right it's the same part number as the d21 compressor on rock auto. Is the only difference the fittings? Worst case scenario you end up needing adapters or a couple new lines right?

[Thomas Perkins]

3 hours ago, bottomwatcher said:

Somebody did an extensive list on here somewhere putting in a parts list to install a brand new system. I was going to use it to renew my AC but I can't find the thread.

I put a brand new custom made system on mine,it is listed here.All the Nissan heating and air stuff is gone.I mean everything.Everything under dash is gone and replaced.I have the receipt and all part numbers.Also have pictures.I did not install it.Jack,the guy that put my Jasper engine installed it.He restores old vehicles too.He has a old restored jeep wagoneer that he installed the custom made system in it,I checked it out and had him put one in my 85 Nissan.The compressor is the same as what Rock Auto sells,just have to use different hoses.I don't know where he got everything from.I did look up the part numbers and seen Rock Auto parts sells the Sam one Jack installed.It is not cheap to do what he did I am not sure,what the labor was cause I had him put new front bearings,rotors,master brake cylinder,4x4 front boots calibers,front brake lines,brake pads.So all labor was added together.I can tell you what all part cost was.He had to make brackets.Here are some of the parts.He also rewired the system too.The hole in the firewall where the 2 heater core hoses went thru has been plugged.The a.c. hose does not go across the engine,this one goes across the firewall.R-12 is not used.I looked on line and could not find a nissan 720 system,so I don't know where he got it from.

[Thomas Perkins]

Here some more pictures.The new hoses going with the firewall and not across the engine.I have more pictures,but I will have to get on my computer to use and send them.My control knobs.

Edited June 10 by Thomas Perkins

[ElliotV]

See normally I wouldn't be against that method of getting ac and I will probably do something similar to my 67 c50 because I probably can't afford to restore a 10k lb dump truck nor find all the exact parts needed for it and it is going to be used for towing and get worked hard and put away wet anyway. But on this truck the interior is in such good shape only two cracks on the dash and all the trim and stuff is in pretty good shape especially for its age so I would like to keep it looking original and pretty nice for the most part. If I have to I am fine doing stuff like different hoses for the ac lines and whatnot but I would prefer to avoid any cutting or drilling on this particular truck but I do like the idea of the ac hoses going across the firewall instead of right over the engine.

Edited June 10 by ElliotV

[Thomas Perkins]

I just got tired of the heater cores going bad and they don't fit good,causes the linkage to bind down there and having to take a million stuff apart to get the core in and at the time,Autozone discontinued selling them,I had a lifetime warranty on them.They gave me my money back.Plus,the compressor went bad so,no more headaches.This system I have is high tech.The heater will burn you up,have to run on low.A.C. is ice cold.The cables to the controls was a very bad idea.I could of not done what Jack did.I will spend money to make things better.The look when the system was done,and had it painted with new American Racing Rims and new front rotors and  and new brakes.All this cost a lot.

[ElliotV]

1 minute ago, Thomas Perkins said:

I just got tired of the heater cores going bad and they don't fit good,causes the linkage to bind down there and having to take a million stuff apart to get the core in and at the time,Autozone discontinued selling them,I had a lifetime warranty on them.They gave me my money back.Plus,the compressor went bad so,no more headaches.This system I have is high tech.The heater will burn you up,have to run on low.A.C. is ice cold.The cables to the controls was a very bad idea.I could of not done what Jack did.I will spend money to make things better.The look when the system was done,and had it painted with new American Racing Rims and new front rotors and  and new brakes.All this cost a lot.

Yeah that's the other problem is cost. My heater core is probably original and it is just fine plus I think there is one in the parts truck I bought. I am not made of money in any way and all my extra money tends to go into some kind of project.

[Thomas Perkins]

Yeah,the original heater core has the plastic elbows and they fit in the box perfect.I have 393,000 miles on my tacometer.It had 108,000 miles on it when I got it in 1994.

Edited June 10 by Thomas Perkins

[ElliotV]

1 minute ago, Thomas Perkins said:

Yeah,the original heater core has the plastic elbows and they fit in the box perfect.I have 393,000 miles on my tacometer.It had 108,000 miles on it when I got it in 1994.

I'm sitting at 163k so I have a few less miles than you.

[Thomas Perkins]

The boxes will start to leak air,the sponge sealant dry rots.When you take the boxes apart,you will need to reseal them.The carb went bad not long after I got the truck.The Nissan dealer actually told me that the stock carbs were junk and told me to get a Weber,So I did.They told me that they could not rebuild it.Taking the stock carb to get rebuild is a very bad idea.They are throw aways,like a empty bic. lighter.

Edited June 10 by Thomas Perkins

[bottomwatcher]

11 hours ago, Thomas Perkins said:

I put a brand new custom made system on mine,it is listed here.All the Nissan heating and air stuff is gone.I mean everything.Everything under dash is gone and replaced.I have the receipt and all part numbers.Also have pictures.I did not install it.Jack,the guy that put my Jasper engine installed it.He restores old vehicles too.He has a old restored jeep wagoneer that he installed the custom made system in it,I checked it out and had him put one in my 85 Nissan.The compressor is the same as what Rock Auto sells,just have to use different hoses.I don't know where he got everything from.I did look up the part numbers and seen Rock Auto parts sells the Sam one Jack installed.It is not cheap to do what he did I am not sure,what the labor was cause I had him put new front bearings,rotors,master brake cylinder,4x4 front boots calibers,front brake lines,brake pads.So all labor was added together.I can tell you what all part cost was.He had to make brackets.Here are some of the parts.He also rewired the system too.The hole in the firewall where the 2 heater core hoses went thru has been plugged.The a.c. hose does not go across the engine,this one goes across the firewall.R-12 is not used.I looked on line and could not find a nissan 720 system,so I don't know where he got it from.

It wasn't you. Somebody made an extensive list with part numbers and all. The person did the install themselves so it was really helpful.

[ElliotV]

7 minutes ago, bottomwatcher said:

It wasn't you. Somebody made an extensive list with part numbers and all. The person did the install themselves so it was really helpful.

Yeah I remember seeing something like that pretty sure they used a lot of parts out of a older Honda civic or something like that. The main idea was that one could use just about anything for a blower and EVAP etc in the cab because between all vehicles they go in the same spot therefore are all similarly shaped and sized 

[iceman510]

OP, I have a compressor here from an '81 truck if interested.  MIght have a few other parts for the system too, but I would need to look.