I am planning to convert my AC to R134a. I have the compressor, h valve, receiver dryer, and hoses new from advance auto parts. I have a quart of flush. I plan to remove the condenser so I can do a good job at cleaning the coils. Now for the problem. Dodge TSB 24-01-95 rev a says that '89 to '91 non intercooled trucks are not available for conversion. I don't understand why. Has anyone converted these trucks? Did it work? Also Dodge calls for addition of a high pressure cutout in their conversion procedures for gassers in this year range. Have you used it and where is the best place to get one? A search only shows availability of the cutout for the Ram 50. Thanks for any help.

 

I my self have not done this to a first gen yet. There has to be a way cause the old air condtioning gas is no longer sold. I,m not for sure Sorry

 

If you convert this truck you will get marginal cooling at best, being in the South I can tell you that you will not be happy with it. I have been there done that. The freon 12 is still out there but costs more to obtain. Freeze 12 works great as a direct replacement and I know there are more out there newer than freeze 12. You can obtain a license to buy freon 12 or freeze 12 by taking a short course and test from http://www.macsw.org/certification.php
You can also buy replacement freon from many sources such as
http://www.freeze12.com/
I also have bought freon off ebay at good prices. My A/C system works like new with the replacement freons but like I say it will be pretty poor with 134 as it was not made to run it.

 

I meant to add a question on Freeze 12 in my original post. I have read good reports on it from the Mercedes sites. I have never used it. I opted to use 134 on all my other vehicles; I guess just because 134 seems to be the accepted norm. All that I have read about Freeze 12 makes it seem to be the perfect replacement. Now my question; if freeze 12 is as good as it claims to be, why isn't it sold in all the parts stores? I will post how it works. I have 4 cans on order now.

 

The main reason the conversion doesnt work well on out trucks is the condensor area is a bit too small, any A/C system needs more with 134 than with freon 12. And 134 if you havent noticed has surged in price, it will surpass r12, CA has determined it causes cancer.

Freeze 12 is a drop in, that means no flushing or anything if, the system hasnt been opened. Its performance is very close to r12 so it works very well.

Now one last thing forget about the flush, it evaperates before you can blink if you dont have tools to put it in right. A good quality brake cleaner works as well if not better, spray it in and use pressurized air to evacuate it, it doesnt harm the system.

And if your opening the system always use a new drier and add oil to it, hope this helps you.

 

I still use R-12 on my truck but all of my other vehicles I have changed over to Hot Shot and have had very good results.
I had tried R-134 at one time and did not like the results. R-12 is still available but it is priced out of our reach.
All of the A.C shops where I get parts from only use R-12.
They had a 30# drum at Pep Boys and I ask how much it was and they said $1,200.00 it has been there for about 4 years now.
http://www.icorinternational.com/index.html
I am certified and also have all of the equipment.
Jim

 

I have heard hot shot works well also but I have not used it yet but does look like a good alternative also. Freeze 12 is sold in parts stores but I think it too is being phased out.

 

Most R12 replacement drop ins are some from of hydrocarbon(similar to propane) and are highly flamable which is why there is some contravorsy on their use.

Theoretically if they leaked into an enclosed spece(a garage or the cab of the vehicle) they could pose an explosion hazzard.
They are also NOT compatiable with a lot of recovery machines and thus most A/C shops will not touch an A/C system that has contains it.

I have used a similar product(Duracool) on two of my vehicles('89 Cherokee and '92 Sunbird) with good results.

 

Ihave an unopened 30pound cannister of R12.

 

I know its in truck parts stores it is called red tec 5. You should be able to use it and not have to change anything. it is suppose to work better than 134a and is cheaper.and use less.

 

HA HA HA I work w/ refrigerants every day and I would say that almost all of them are carcinogenetic! (but so is sweet n' low) Be careful! if it don’t blow up your garage (propane types) it will kill you from inhalation! ....134a is already more than freeze 12 and like loch said your condenser is too small....is your compressor out why did you buy a new one? I would say fix any leaks you have and use the direct drop freeze12 and get back to doing something fun like fishing or hunting or getting stuck! Lol

PM me and I might be able to fix you up

 

I appreciate all the replies. I ordered Freeze 12 and am looking for the correct liquid line filter. When I bought the truck the owner told me that the ac had been repaired a year earlier but the clutch was still good so the shop only changed out the compressor. Naturaly the clutch failed right away and the shop wanted to charge him the same thing all over again (no failure of a warranted part). When I checked the charge there was none. Giving the seller the benefit of the doubt he may have well not known that the system leaked. Without knowing the procedure the repair shop used as per flush or not I am willing to go overboard with a flush plus a liquid line filter. I need some hope since using the freeze 12 will void any warenty that I had on the new compressor. Problem is that a charge of R12 will cost more than the sum of the parts, and one look at that little condenser used on this truck will tell you right away that 134a will not work. I do like the fact that freeze 12 works at a lower pressure. That may help.