Originally Posted by mthomas58 (Post 3816968)

Couple of progress pics. Evaporator leak confirmed - check out the oil in the evap box. Good news and bad news on the box removal. Good - found three clips in the bottom of the smugglers box. Bad - found a crack in the lower left hand corner of the box that surely was leaking air and used gorilla glue to patch.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205065427.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205065473.jpg

Desert duty unit was a bit of a fitment teaser trying to line up the brackets, spacers and bolts which were too short creating yet another run to Home Depot. Also had to remove the crash bar for easier access.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205065685.jpg

Test fit pic of one of the rear fender units. These babies are money! Incredibly well designed.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205065925.jpg

Originally Posted by mthomas58 (Post 3817768)

Some more pics from todays adventures.

Griffiths Kuehl kit comes with a evap baffle to direct all air flow through the coil.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102323.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102465.jpg

To wrap the box I used one layer of 1/8" closed cell dynamat foam followed by a layer of 1/8" foam with foil from home depot and a roll of aluminium foil duct tape. This added a full 1/4" and made for a snug fit going back in the smugglers box.....any larger and it would not have gone back in.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102516.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102567.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102784.jpg

Here is the condenser unit mounted in front of the rear tire. I had to move the upper mounting bar that bolts to the Seat belt retractor mounting point to raise the entire unit up so it did not rest on the torsion bar cover. Oh, and here's the best part. After removing the seat belt retracter, we could not get it to extend...tried to unlock the mechanism with no luck....in a last ditch effort we ( we = Paul "carnutzzz") popped the cover off and the spring came flying out....fortunately no one got hurt!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1205102880.jpg

Originally Posted by billroth (Post 3817859)

Is there a crack in the fender, above the condensor, in the last photo?

Originally Posted by mtbguy (Post 3818708)

I bought all of the components of the Rennaire system individually, as I did not originally plan on doing the whole kit.

Does anyone know if there is a difference in the evaporator orifice for R134 Vs. R12? I don't remember being given a choice when ordering from our sponsor, but could have been an oversight on my part. I'd rather find out now before I install it and use it.

I plan on using R12, so it could be a problem if it was designed for R134.
Thanks

Originally Posted by carnutzzz (Post 3819483)

I knew I was going to get blamed for the seat belt mechanism "incident".

Hey- when it comes to labor ya get what you pay for!

Originally Posted by mthomas58 (Post 3819564)

No worries - apparently all "we" had to do was re-install and it will function in the proper orientation......so they say. dcautomotive is shipping one today for $75. I've also ordered a new Robinair vacuum pump and gauge set to complete the project 100% DIY. Equipment rental charge when we do your system will be, uh $75!:D

Originally Posted by JFairman (Post 3815622)

I think it's best to buy your own 2 stage vacuum pump.
A real good new Robinaire 4 CFM 2 stage pump can be had for around $225 shipped.
I bought this one and it's excellent http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/shop/ROB-15434.html

You'll need it more than once and you'll know it's in good working shape with clean fresh oil in it if you buy it new.
Nice manifold gauges are usually around $60 on up. Harbor Freight has some for about $40 that should work well.
Always unscrew the yellow hose from the manifold gauge enough to purge the air out of it before filling the system so you're not putting some air back in when charging. It's obvious when the air has been replaced with R134 at the fitting, then tighten it back up and start charging the system with the R134 bottle right side up so gas is going in and not liqued (unless you really know what you're doing) or you may hurt the AC compressor.

And a good vacuum pump is about the same price as paying a shop to do a quickie consumer level 15 minute evacuation and R134 charge here in S. Florida.
You can buy R134 in 30 pound bottles for around $100.
Thats enough refrigerent for about 10 fills depending on the car your doing, so you can do your other cars or friends too.

No shop around here will ever do it right... it takes way too long, oil has to be changed frequently in the vacuum pump (they don't), and they need to do it quick and move on to the next car to make money.

You have to do it yourself to have it done right these days.

Originally Posted by mtbguy (Post 3817107)

Hi there- It looks like its going to be a COOL summer for you!

Im in ATL also and just started my project - using with the entire Rennaire system and Pro-cooler. I will add the interior Kuehl vent kit .

two questions:
1)I see you are switching to 134, but sticking with the r12 Denso compressor, is that a problem?
2) are you going to add a low pressure cut-off switch (I'm debating if I need one- I'm staying with r12)


also- any luck with a local vacuum pump rental place? I thought about trying those specialty tool rental places instead of just HomeDepot/Autozone.

Thanks

Originally Posted by mtbguy (Post 3820900)

Thanks Mark- if you are interested in renting it out for a day or two when you are finished it may help recoup the cost- I don't know what part of town you're in but I would be happy to help subsidize the cost. I have a set of Snap-on A/c manifold gauges if you need them.

My system is going to be the complete Rennaire kit with Desert Duty condenser, except that I ordered the "Jim Sims pro-cooler" to try instead of the pricier option from Rennaire. I'm hoping to get a good leak free system (and using the Nylog goo) and will try and stick with R12.

I removed the front factory condenser this weekend- do you think all of the DD condensers are shipped with bolts too short, or will I need longer ones also?

Thanks

Rick