Factory vs dealer AC. How to tell?

[Chucks1911]

I'm in the process of pulling the AC off of my 78 J-10 parts rig to put on my 76 Honcho. While I was at a parts store looking for something else I checked on the price and availability of a new dryer. They needed to know if it was a factory or dealer AC system.

It really looks factory to me, but I remember some discussion a few days ago saying that all the AC systems were really an afterthought. I mean inside the cab, it looks like an add on system.

[Lindel]

If your register is hanging below the dash, with the controls in the center of the register, then it's most likely factory, but this kind of system could easily be dealer installed as well.

[jsinajeep]

Ask the part store what the different is, and or show them what you have on the unit.

[Chucks1911]

If your register is hanging below the dash, with the controls in the center of the register, then it's most likely factory, but this kind of system could easily be dealer installed as well.

Exactly. Under the hood (except for the heater box) it appears factory. Inside the cab, it could be either. But with an under dash unit, it looks dealer/aftermarket.

I'm leaning factory though.

[Lindel]

The heater box on these things has (afaik) has always looked like it's an add on.

Even in the last GW, the AC looked like it was an after thought, but they did move the controls up to the dash in 86. But from 73 to 85, it looked as much like a dealer install as anything else, even though it's most likely factory.

[jc turtle]

IIRC, The factory ac had crimped fittings at the ac compressor, the American Air unit had hose clamps on the hoses. hope this helps, John

[mallthus]

they did move the controls up to the dash in 86. But from 73 to 85, it looked as much like a dealer install as anything else, even though it's most likely factory.

The controls on my 91 GW's AC were in the same, bloody hard to get to, spot as on my current 83 Wag. They were better labeled, but not in the dash.

What was in the dash were the Heat/Defog controls that are in the IP on my 83.

Richard in OK

[mdill]

What color is the unit ? Most dealer installs I beleive were black, I think most factory ones were color matched to the interior. (But as said they all look aftermarket)

Mike D.

[Lindel]

You have dealer installed air, or someone swapped it in.

[Chucks1911]

Ok after struggling to get at the drier yesterday (its between the front valance and the radiator core support) it appears to be a factory system. Has the origional 78 York compressor on it too. I didn't get it all out yesterday, ran out of time. The plan for today after work is to do the old "on your back upside down and backwards" in the cab of the 78 to get the indoor part off. Wish me luck!

Anybody know if the system has an orfice tube or an expansion valve? I havent found either yet.

[babywag]

Expansion valve, it's mounted to the evaporator, and you won't see it until you drop the underdash unit, and remove the nasty ashpalt tape crap.

[Chucks1911]

Expansion valve, it's mounted to the evaporator, and you won't see it until you drop the underdash unit, and remove the nasty ashpalt tape crap.

Cool. I may need one of those toxic waste suits before I get up under that dash

[crispyboy]

The American Air unit has the evaporator that hangs below the vent line of the A/C unit taking up passenger feet room. The factory unit has the evaporator that is above the vent lline behind the dash. Factory units and American Air units are both add-on but I have found the factory to be much better. Both had controls (2 dials) right on the unit. The later GW's 86 - 91 had the controls on the dash and used the temp control as a potiameter to adjust for how much the compressor would run. There is a seperate electrical device for this under the dash.
The condensor piping is also better on the factory unit(fits the space in front of the radiator better - that's why they asked you the question about the factory/dealer unit when you went to purchase the dryer - had different sized fittings). I used the original fittings and had new hoses fitted up. The air also seems to blow better through the factory unit. You can add a low pressure switch to both units as it is no more than a switch in the hose that allows the compressor to operate if there is enough refrigerant in the system. The expansion valve is behind the evaporator and you will see it when you take the unit from under the dash. You should probably change this if your going to r134 gas and possibly change the compressor to a newer sanden unit.
I reworked the entire system in my J20 2 years ago. I converted to r134 gas and the system wiil freeze you out of the cab.
Thats all I can think of at this time.

[Chucks1911]

The American Air unit has the evaporator that hangs below the vent line of the A/C unit taking up passenger feet room. The factory unit has the evaporator that is above the vent lline behind the dash. Factory units and American Air units are both add-on but I have found the factory to be much better. Both had controls (2 dials) right on the unit. The later GW's 86 - 91 had the controls on the dash and used the temp control as a potiameter to adjust for how much the compressor would run. There is a seperate electrical device for this under the dash.
The condensor piping is also better on the factory unit(fits the space in front of the radiator better - that's why they asked you the question about the factory/dealer unit when you went to purchase the dryer - had different sized fittings). I used the original fittings and had new hoses fitted up. The air also seems to blow better through the factory unit. You can add a low pressure switch to both units as it is no more than a switch in the hose that allows the compressor to operate if there is enough refrigerant in the system. The expansion valve is behind the evaporator and you will see it when you take the unit from under the dash. You should probably change this if your going to r134 gas and possibly change the compressor to a newer sanden unit.
I reworked the entire system in my J20 2 years ago. I converted to r134 gas and the system wiil freeze you out of the cab.
Thats all I can think of at this time.

Good stuff here! Can you post some more on the use of a sanden compressor? Maybe a "this is what I did". Parts list etc. How did you go about lining up the pulleys?

[red mistress]

Sanden

get the correct AMC engine bracket off a 88-91 for the Sanden

there is an adaptor from York to Sanden, but is hard to get the belt adjustment perfect.

York compressors were not designed to use the 134 and will work, but not as good as the Sanden.

Sanden also operates much more smoothly.