I am going to purchase a mid 90s ranger soon that has an inline 4 and
5 speed. All of those type have no AC in my area. How and where can I get the AC assembly? I can do the install, but I would like to know what it might cost to get all of the bits and pieces. I understand that it involves a compressor, evaporator, condensor, valve, hoses, wiring, and possibly a different climate box. Also, would it be possible to wire up the unit to turn on and off with a push botton and relay?
No offense (and this is coming from someone who owned a vehicle with an aftermarket A/C system and struggled to make it work properly for years), but I would strongly advise you to overcome that love for the inline 4, 5 speed Ranger, and buy something of similar performance and vintage, for $1000 more perhaps, with factory A/C. Unless this vehicle you are buying is completely set up for A/C and just missing some components, you will be looking at a long, expensive project with dubious results. Replacing the air plenum is a bitch, even if it's just with an identical one. New pulleys may be needed on the crankshaft and water pump to run the compressor. The fan may be too small to support A/C and need replacement. If and when you managed to put all the parts in place, you will still need a pro to evacuate the system, check for leaks, charge and test it. Then the engine management computer, probably totally oblivious to your new A/C, will not know to bump the idle RPM, or worse, to disengage the A/C clutch when the engine is under heavy load. The latter may be a big problem, especially for that 4-banger. Not sure how you'd deal with that -- probably by replacing the PCM box with one that came from an A/C-equipped Ranger, but how will it get all those missing input and output connections? A new main engine harness perhaps? Fun, fun...
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Happy Traveler is correct. You do *NOT* want to put an A/C unit with all the accessories in this. With all the labor and getting the parts, it would almost be cheaper to buy a new Ford Ranger. You can get a brand new one, bottom of the rung Ranger for $13,000 list with incentives. Of course, you're probably talking $17,000 with what they have on the lot, after discounts. But it will a heck of lot easier.
Unless you already have a doner truck and are willing to install used parts, the project will cost about as much as a mid 90's Ranger with factory air installed. It is not a worthwhile project when you can so easily buy the vehicles already equipped for less money even if you have to go south to buy one. Almost everything here in the SE US has factory air. I also suspect you will not be happy with the power of the 4cyl once the air is added for the same reasons mentioned by Happy and Jeff.
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