First off, I have a 2008 V8 Limited with 168k miles.

I bought this truck 2 years ago, knowing I would have to put an AC system in it. So I took it to a shop and they did a full AC system replacement - $1150.

18 months later (4 months ago) the AC started not cooling as well during low speeds/idle. After researching, I decided it may be the fan clutch and I replaced it myself with an Aisin unit. Didn’t seem to help the AC, but the truck definitely ran stronger.

Randomly one day, the AC stopped working entirely, turns out the AC Compressor failed. I called the original shop, of course the 12 month warranty already expired and I learned they used import direct parts. Dang it.

So I pay a different shop 2 months ago to install a new Denso AC Compressor. Things worked great when I picked it up.

Now over the past week, it is very hot here in Texas 100+ and my AC is struggling to get really cold. I would call it maybe a 6/10 on how cool it gets with 10 being ice cold.

I took it back to the shop that replaced the AC Compressor recently. They hooked it up to the snap on AC machine, it read 100% full on refrigerant and they did a UV test and found no leaks.

So now I’m close to 2k into the AC, and in these hot summer days it is only close to ice cold when I am driving on the highway.

I’d love to hear your opinion/experiences with your V8’s AC system on hot day.

Thank you!

Saw your post about potentially adding an aux fan to the condenser and it sounded like a great idea.

Like you, I also spent big money fixing the AC in my 4th gen. New relay, new evaporator, new expansion valve, and I think a few other things here and there while they were in there. Then had the charge checked twice afterwards because I thought the cooling was pretty mediocre compared to my older 3rd gen 4Runner.

Also like you, I went and searched for ways to cool the truck down a little more. I ended up wrapping the AC cold line with rubber ducting and that possibly made a difference but I couldn't tell much. The biggest difference for me was getting the whole truck tinted with ceramic tint. I did 20% over the factory tint in the rear, 35% on the side windows, and 80% (clear pretty much) over the whole windshield. This made a pretty big difference honestly. This is the 3rd vehicle I've done ceramic tint on and it's always helped the AC to cool better.

After all that I'd say it's adequate. It's gotten into the mid 90's here already and it takes longer to get to that ice cold temp I'm used to in my 3rd gen, but it does eventually get to that cold temp and it will adequately cool the truck down if it's moving. If I just crank the truck up and blast the AC it's mediocre compared to other vehicles, for mine I really have to hop in and start moving if I want it to cool down.

Thanks for your reply. I’m sorry to hear yours is the same, but those tips are great! I am surprised the tint helps that much but I am happy to hear that. Yes, I also had a 3rd gen which I sold (terrible decision) - the AC on that thing was top notch ice cold, all the time.

It seems like a mixed bag, I’ve heard some V8 owners that have great AC, some don’t like us. Definitely frustrating but I am hoping to get this AC condenser fan idea in motion sometime soon. Thanks for your help.

If anyone else wants to chime in, feel free!

My '04 V8 has 132,000+ on it. The A/C is original and so far I've not had any problems. We get up into the 90s in summer and I've been in D.C. when it was 100+. Parking in the shade makes a big difference. When your truck has been sitting in the sun, everything inside is extremely hot and it takes a long time for the A/C to cool it down.

I wish there was a dual A/C unit like our 99 Sienna has. There's a separate evaporator, oversized compressor and separate controls. An added benefit is we keep that one in the garage. (wife's vehicle). That is also original A/C

Do you use a sun shield on the front window? Not only does it help keep the car cooler, it keeps your seat in the shade so you're not sitting on a burning hot seat. It makes a difference.

I have a V6 so can’t help with V8-specific questions, but I will second the tint suggestion. I haven’t had anything but the front driver/passenger windows done, but even that makes a discernible difference. I learned this in my old Xterra when I had the fronts done to match the rest, really just for aesthetics, and I found it made a big difference. So I would highly recommend getting at least the front side windows darkened.

I took my truck back to the original shop, they did multiple flushes of the refrigerant system which seemed to fix the issue. I canÂ’t get it below 45 degrees but considering I have no front window tint, it is holding up relatively well now on 100 degrees days.

They told me the limiting factor now is most likely the cheap import direct expansion valve which is located deep in the dash. The shop told me they have done 100s of 4Runner ACs and never touch the original expansion valve because they are rock solid from the factory and rarely need replacing. So the original should have been kept in. Perhaps knowing this will help somebody else cut down on the hours required for an AC replacement by avoiding the extra hours to take out the dash..

If you're blowing 45°F at the vents full blast with relatively okay outside temperature (i.e. 65~75°F) that's about as ideal as it gets.

Aftermarket parts strike again, ugh.