My 4Runner did not come with A/C from the factory. I'm planning on doing some roadtripping into the desert in august and think that it might be a good idea to have it. My question is could I swap an A/C unit from a doner 4Runner?
I've removed the A/C and all of it's hardware from my other car, which was pretty simple and easily reversible. Do you think this would be possible without spending too much on it?
Thanks for any input
It would be alot of work and expensive. You've got to swap the blower motor, all the wiring, etc, cooling hoses, climate unit, the AC condenser, ac clutch, new belts, all sorts of stuff. You've also got to pay shops to recharge it for you and all that... ahhhhhhh.
I don't know what's exactly required in the 3rd gen for an AC swap but it's a PITA I can imagine. It's worth it I guess, but then again if your ride is that inequipped, might be worth it just finding another 4Runner. Most 4Runners without AC didn't have power windows, locks, privacy glass, lumbar seats, sunroof, air deflectors, tow packages, etc.
My 4Runner came with nothing, 4cyl, 2wd, but I still had AC, power windows, all that very standard type stuff. Swapping all the stuff like roof rack, tow package, mirrors, door handles, sr5 seats, air deflector, all sorts of stuff, was annoying enough. To deal with AC, power windows/locks, tint, non heated mirrors... etc, I'd have just gotten another 4Runner. It's not worth the time... unless you can find it all for cheap and do it all yourself.
When it comes down to other stuff like power windows and locks, you're looking into all the new switches, new wiring, new door panels, oh god...
Then again, if you don't want most of those, the AC swap is a worthwhile ordeal. Just don't try to option it out if it's got none, that's like buying a brand new 4Runner and choosing all the options you don't want... then swapping it all in later for more than it'd have costed to have just bought it like that in the first place... which reminds me, I've spent way too much on mine. lol
