Adding AC?

[bigslimdog]

I've been looking for a 3rd Gen 5 speed for a little bit and just came across a 99 with a 2.7L for sale locally. The owner said it was never equipped with air conditioning. Is it possible to add AC? How difficult and how much would it cost to do so?

The owner also mentioned the vehicle has been shipped overseas and back due to their job in the Foreign Service. The vehicle went from NOVA to Vermont to Kazakhstan (for 2 years) and Moscow, Russia (for 4 years) and back to the U.S. Any issues with shipping or driving a vehicle overseas that should make me avoid this one? They said it was maintained at the U.S. Embassies overseas and was only driven 2-3 times a week (has 130k miles on it).

 

[UnderFire]

That's strange/cool, I'm pretty sure all 3rd gens sold here in the US came with A/C standard, I wonder where it originated from or if it was removed by someone at one point, as far as adding it, I have no idea how hard it would be to install it, but I know that you don't see many 3RZ equipped 4Runners in the junkyards around here, and that would be the only source for some of the parts most likely, and it's a toss-up whether or not the Tacoma parts fit.

I'm interested to see what the climate control panel looks like in it, I wonder if it has the A/C button spot blanked out or if it's completely different than an A/C equipped 4Runner.

 

[bigslimdog]

If that's the case hopefully it has the button and wiring for the AC. Would probably make it a lot easier to add AC. Waiting for the seller to get back to me to take a look at it. Maybe it was removed for some reason considering it spent the past 6 years in cold climates where they probably don't have a need for AC. It would seem weird for a vehicle to be equipped with 4wd but not something as simple as AC. The seller said it was originally bought in NOVA.

 

[jeremyc74]

I'm betting the electrical side is already there. The part that would concern me is getting all the stuff under the dash right. Your best bet is probably to find a wrecked donor vehicle that you can take all that stuff from, and see how it's assembled.

As far as it going back and forth overseas, I wouldn't worry about that at all. It's common for military and government employees to take vehicles back and forth. The one I have spend a couple of years in Hawaii, and still has an inspection or tax sticker on it from there that I just leave because it's cool.

Being that it's a global engine I doubt they had any problems getting it serviced.

 

[IBallEngineer]

That's strange/cool, I'm pretty sure all 3rd gens sold here in the US came with A/C standard, I wonder where it originated from or if it was removed by someone at one point, as far as adding it, I have no idea how hard it would be to install it, but I know that you don't see many 3RZ equipped 4Runners in the junkyards around here, and that would be the only source for some of the parts most likely, and it's a toss-up whether or not the Tacoma parts fit.

I'm interested to see what the climate control panel looks like in it, I wonder if it has the A/C button spot blanked out or if it's completely different than an A/C equipped 4Runner.

In the mid 90's I was the Snap-on Tools Rep to Toyota Motor Sales in Torrance, CA. Part of my role was visiting the port new car prep location. I sold them tools to install the running boards on all non-limited 3rd gens. I have to admit I never saw them adding A/C to a 4runner, because I wasn't interested in them then. But they had 5 or 6 lanes of cars being fitted with A/C, all day everyday. So maybe, heh.

 

[bigslimdog]

The owner says it has no power options and no button for AC. Basically just the most stripped down t4r available in 99 with 4wd.

 

[LittleCaesar]

Take a pic of the inside as well as the engine bay and post if you have a chance to. I have only seen a Canadian 2nd gen 4runner without AC.

I know on my Bronco (94 EB) the option to get AC installed by the dealer was still available, heck they even used different components for dealer installed AC than used for the AC installed at the factory (that is Ford for ya).

 

[nissanh]

I am sure, you'll need the compressor, two flexible lines, all aluminum lines, the condenser, evaporator, filter, expansion valve.
You should have an empty compartment where the evaporator should be. Find a 4 cylinder 4runner and pull all the parts. Take pictures while you remove things.

 

[bigslimdog]

Would the AC parts be the same from a v6 3rd gen?

 

[02SE]

Unless he's selling it for a ridiculously low price, I wouldn't bother buying this particular 4Runner. Questionable history, the headache and expense of sorting out the A/C, I'd find another 4Runner.

 

[bigslimdog]

Unless he's selling it for a ridiculously low price, I wouldn't bother buying this particular 4Runner. Questionable history, the headache and expense of sorting out the A/C, I'd find another 4Runner.

That's the direction I'm leaning. I've been looking for a 5 speed but the lack of AC and ANY power options might be a deal breaker. He's asking $4k which is too much. Was hoping to get it around $2,500 but like I said I haven't even seen it.

 

[3rzrunner]

ive seen a few runners here in Canada without A/C most being 2.7's
the spot where the A/C button is just has a little black cap in it if I recall correctly.