Removing rear AC?

[fishEH]

Has anybody done this and successfully retained their front AC?
I found this thread but sadly there was no resolution....
http://www.discoweb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=87923&referrerid=13769

Can I just cap off the lines to the back, tear out the rear AC stuff, and be on my way? Does anything in the rear AC system need jumpering to trick the front system into working???

I ask because I'm leaning towards putting down my trail truck and doing a build on my daily driver, which has rear AC which I can't foresee wanting/needing.

 

[1920SF]

Can't speak to removal & retaining-but I've found rear AC is very nice for cooling down the truck faster than just a front AC disco alone. May not matter much in your climate, but the difference here in lovely NoVA is noticeable. I wanted to remove it to get more space back but ended up leaving in there to keep the kiddos happy.
r-
Ray

 

[Buddy]

After accidentally drilling through my rear A/C line and evacuating the whole system into the back of the truck. I decided to just bypass the rear A/C rather than fix it. All I had to do was get the 2 metal lines off a front A/C only truck and replace mine. Took about 30 minutes including recharging the system. Then you can just remove the rear as you see fit.

When you get the lines make sure to get the complete set. The junction in the high pressure line (I think it was the high pressure one) is different in the two models.

 

[Buddy]

Just looked at the other thread. I did not have any issue with a pressure switch I just hooked up the lines charged the system and turned on the A/C. I did make sure that both rear A/C buttons the one in the overhead and console were both turned off. I'm not sure what would happen if one of the switches was turned on.

 

[fishEH]

Thank you, sounds easy enough.

 

[latarheel]

I have a '96 D1 SD with front A/c and thinking of adding the rear unit if that's even possible. The front a/c struggles to cool the backseat and my headliner needs replacing so if the harness and mounting components are there, is this doable or advisable?

 

[Buddy]

I have a '96 D1 SD with front A/c and thinking of adding the rear unit if that's even possible. The front a/c struggles to cool the backseat and my headliner needs replacing so if the harness and mounting components are there, is this doable or advisable?

It might be doable but it' won't be easy. Even if the factory wire harness includes the plugs for it. You'll need the extra button in your front control panel, the back seat control panel, all the lines from the front to the back and then the rear unit. Pulling stuff out was easy because I just cut the lines at every bend and pulled them out. But having to run all those cooling lines without kinking one is going to be a pain with the body on and the gas tank in. Sure it's possible but you'll probably end up cursing a whole lot.

I would probably buy a truck with rear AC before I'd try and install it.

 

[sedat]

the hoses are routed fuckall too. I'd say the easiest way is to lift the body off the chassis to fit rear a/c lines.

 

[jymmiejamz]

I ask because I'm leaning towards putting down my trail truck and doing a build on my daily driver, which has rear AC which I can't foresee wanting/needing.

Unless you have an issue with it, why would you want to get rid of it? Its not like you're going to gain 20+ hp or mpg...

 

[TOM R]

the rear a/c is great when it works, but they ran the lines all stupid and they rub through where they go through the rear wheel wells squeezed between the sring perch and body, i replaced the line on mine but if it goes again will probly bypass it and remove the unit for more cargo space

 

[jymmiejamz]

the rear a/c is great when it works, but they ran the lines all stupid and they rub through where they go through the rear wheel wells squeezed between the sring perch and body, i replaced the line on mine but if it goes again will probly bypass it and remove the unit for more cargo space

Have you considered wrapping that section of the line with some kind of insulation or even a rubber hose? Defenders have issues where the line to the condenser rubs against the fender causing a leak. The simple fix is just putting a piece of rubber hose over the line in that section.

 

[bigcheif]

I know with the 90 degree temps we are having, i wish I had rear a/c !

 

[fishEH]

I have a '96 D1 SD with front A/c and thinking of adding the rear unit if that's even possible. The front a/c struggles to cool the backseat and my headliner needs replacing so if the harness and mounting components are there, is this doable or advisable?

Wanna trade? My '96 with rear air for yours? Haha.

 

[Maximumwarp]

Is this process the same for a D2? Replace the lines with components from a non-rear-air truck? I just found a large hole worn in one of my lines by the braided hose on my rear shock.

 

[Maximumwarp]

To answer my own question: yes, that's the cleanest way to do it. I talked to Joel yesterday and he's going to send me the lines that run from the evaporator, behind the manifold and booster, and up to the junctions on the front lines, sans tees for the rear lines.