Transferring Aircon unit to another car

[darkchild101]

Is it possible to take working aircon unit from a salvage pick up and transfer it on to a pick up that has no aircon

If so how easy/practical is it? The car is an old Nissan Hardbody double cab

Thanks

 

[Botus]

you can retrofit AC to any car... its been a choice aftermarket for many years.... but these simple systems are designed to go on to a std cars setup....

to retrofit the correct OEM AC system to a car that never had it might be lots more work....

depends if the vehicle was always designed to have AC and the budget ones just have bits missing you can swap out, or if it was a rare choice and they fitted a totally different heater and AC system under the dash

either way you end up without the gas and once the parts are assembled you need to re gas, and depending on the vehicle / complexity of install heater control system, maybe some looms etc. will be needed as could be some software

you might even end up needing to remove the complete dash and or replace it to end up with all the OEM stuff - if you have the donor that works and can take time and pull exactly what you need probably worth doing

it could be 5 hrs or 15hrs of effort

roughly....

AC compressor and mounting bracket (could easily need alternator and PAS relocated on different brackets with new drive belts)
might need the crank pulley for the compressor
AC condenser (sits in front of the rad, could even have a different radiator and mounting brackets for both, and or new slam panel)
Condenser cooling fan, usually has another fan aside from the engine cooling fan and its wiring
Evaporator the bit that goes cold inside the car.... might need the whole dash and heater system
Drier and hoses, some new o rings
heater controls / AC button / vents brackets
wiring looms, trim pieces etc.

 

[darkchild101]

you can retrofit AC to any car... its been a choice aftermarket for many years.... but these simple systems are designed to go on to a std cars setup....

to retrofit the correct OEM AC system to a car that never had it might be lots more work....

depends if the vehicle was always designed to have AC and the budget ones just have bits missing you can swap out, or if it was a rare choice and they fitted a totally different heater and AC system under the dash

either way you end up without the gas and once the parts are assembled you need to re gas, and depending on the vehicle / complexity of install heater control system, maybe some looms etc. will be needed as could be some software

you might even end up needing to remove the complete dash and or replace it to end up with all the OEM stuff - if you have the donor that works and can take time and pull exactly what you need probably worth doing

it could be 5 hrs or 15hrs of effort

roughly....

AC compressor and mounting bracket (could easily need alternator and PAS relocated on different brackets with new drive belts)
might need the crank pulley for the compressor
AC condenser (sits in front of the rad, could even have a different radiator and mounting brackets for both, and or new slam panel)
Condenser cooling fan, usually has another fan aside from the engine cooling fan and its wiring
Evaporator the bit that goes cold inside the car.... might need the whole dash and heater system
Drier and hoses, some new o rings
heater controls / AC button / vents brackets
wiring looms, trim pieces etc.

Thank you sir. Very informative response and I think I will go with after market option

 

[Botus]

it will cost much more and not be as good.... but it will be possible / less effort...