Re: Aftermarket AC

[farna@xxxxxxx]

On April 6, 2005 Jim Boone wrote:

> A trick that can be used is something we do to the vans here at work: Put a curtain or other temp barrier to keep the AC up front.  I'm thinking a plexiglass/lexan "wall" that I can set up/take down as needed so it's there when you're driving, just behind either the drivers or 2nd row bench.  Need to start measuring and scrounging...

IIRC there was a divider screen accessory for the wagons that mounted just above the rear seat. I might be thinking about another car, Gwen has an accessory book on here site though. I know there was a screen for the back window. 

> I see your new wagon was insulated well when you redid it, I'm interested in how well that will help when you get the AC installed.  Delaware won't be as hot as Mississippi for sure, but they still get times when it's very warm.

Yes, the tint helps a lot! I used the aluminum foil covered bubble wrap type insulation in the doors (stuck in with silicone), roof, and both sides of the firewall. The firewall insulation helped the most! If you put it in the roof you have to sitck it between the roof reinforcement bars, not on top. You also need to trim about 3/16" from each edge of the headliner. The headliner pushes up between the reinforcements, as you can tell when you look at the back. If you don't trim the edges you'll never get the headliner back in! It doesn't flex much, it cracks in the middle then won't stay up. Do you need to ask how I know?? I also spread the channel that holds the headliner up open a bit more. Install one side of channel, then pop the other in with the headliner up. The headliner insulation helps quite a bit on a summer day with the sun beating down! 

> 
> Speaking of Delaware/Dover: Been to Sambo's yet?

Haven't seen a Sambo's yet. There is a nice bbq place called "Where Pigs Fly" though. Also a good family restaurant -- Kirby & Holloway. Best $5 breakfast I ever had, and I'm a big Waffle House fan!! 
 
> I'll be using the biggest, horizontal flow model I can fit in that space.  From my measurements, the radiator mounting surfaces are 25-1/2" W and I have room for ~16" H.  I read on one site where they suggest 400 sq " minimum for a 134a and that space is right at it.

Like I said, you have to make mounts, but a 96 or so Chrysler LHS condensor will fit, you just have to fab brackets.

> >I don't know where you'd put the second evaporator... I guess it's just a larger >under dash unit?
> 
> >From what I can tell, you use a smaller in-dash unit and run ducts out to vents placed around the back.  I haven't seen one done like that. You'd control it from the front, and Tee into the AC hoses to run that evap unit.  The only place I can see putting it is in the spare tire well in the back.  Like I said, I don't want to do that, but I'd be interested in seeing an application where somebody did to see how they did it.

Interesting. There is the storage compartment on the passenger side, that would hold and evaporator, then you could run vents out the side panel or the floor, even across the spare tire bay to the other side. I don't think it's needed though. Just get the biggest under dash unit they have and you should be fine for front seat passengers. I'd get an old fashioned under dash mount with the vents directly on it rather than the remote vent units Vintage Air mainly sells. Will look more correct for the car. If they have one with central integrated vents and remote vents that would be a plus. The only problem I had with the integrated vent type was driving east/west -- the left arm would get a little warm exposed to the sun with no vent to the far left. 

Speaking of spares, I use a space saver from a Jeep Cherokee. It's a 16" and weighs a lot less than a standard spare. I haven't had to use it in 4-5 years! 

Frank Swygert

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