Aircon for 89 D/C SFA

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:33 am

I hope this is posted in the right place!

Can anyone help this newbie?

I have a 89 D/C SFA and want to fit an aircon.

The local aircon guys tell me that you can't get one for this model anymore!

Is this correct? If so, where can I get one from? Any ideas on cost?

I am in the Durban/ PMB area, but would be prepared to travel to get it done if I have to.

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:01 am

Hi Alan

I am also looking for one for my 89 D/C.Very scarce.

Thabogrobler · Post by **Thabogrobler** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:26 am

Yep,

If it does not have one at this stage, you will struggle. The aircon companies does not manufacture the aircon kits for aolder cars anymore - heck thet stop if a car is 3/4 years old!

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:45 am

Bummer! Maybe a few calls around the scrap yards will do the trick? I just worry about second hand....

Don't they know Hiluxes don't die!

Stubs · Post by **Stubs** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:39 pm

Hi guys,

I wouldnt waste your time, it sucks so much power, its heavy, fuel consumption, and if you are on a 4y then forget it, I took mine out and gave it away, I use the old school method and wind the windows down, I have so many holes in my truck that the aircon is useless anyway...

you can maybe try Barnetts in Stikland Capetown, or 4yota spares also in Stikland, Hoppy might have one laying around, wont harm to ask...

cheers
Stubs

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 12:59 pm

Thanks Stubs,

I am phoning around the scrap yards, etc here in Durban.

The guy who is responsible for the retro fitting at Crisp-Air (after their factory fire) is trying to see what he can do for me - I am waiting for his reply. He says the only reason they stopped making the kits for these vehicles was lack of demand and the cost to fit out the new factory for these old models was not justified.

Regarding just using the windows; I am currently doing that, but it is nice having the aircon for those long trips and it does help a bit in the stinking heat in Namibia in Dec! I used to have one in my even older Hilux and whilst it was not super powerful, it did the trick.

Maddoglips · Post by **Maddoglips** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:20 pm

Give me a Chance, I might have a 99% complete unit lying around which I won't be needing.

I'll look this weekend.

Zane 082 660 1011

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 1:53 pm

Thanks Zane!

Post by **JohanM** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:12 pm

Stubs wrote:I wouldnt waste your time, it sucks so much power, its heavy, fuel consumption, and if you are on a 4y then forget it, I took mine out and gave it away, I use the old school method and wind the windows down, I have so many holes in my truck that the aircon is useless anyway...

Stubs not being funny here, But is disagree with your statement!! My 4Y has got it in, since i bought it, and even though it takes very little power , i cannot see it making the vehicle actually really a lot more heavier on fuel. Maybe 0.1 -0.3L/100 km but that is not really noticeable with my engine. Also after doing the EFI many (4) years ago , i tend to drive almost permanently with the aircon on unless im crawling along a 4x4 track off road.

With the carb fitted I think it made the consumption bout 0.5l/100 heavier on the open road which for me is worth the comfort.

Maybe yours never functioned properly with all the holes in the truck.

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 3:54 pm

Johan, I must concur. On my old Hilux, I was happy to pay the small extra cost in fuel for the comfort - even more so now that I have a 5 year old on board!

Of course the aircon would normally be off when in the bush anyway.

Btw: This EFI conversion thing is a new idea to me. First heard about it the other day when I started browsing this forum! I must read up about it - looks interesting. Is it really worth the effort? What about reliability? I would be worried in case it gives trouble deep in the bush!

Post by **Family_Dog** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 6:34 pm

Bulldog has an air-con and also EFI.

Both these 'comforts' are very worthwhile! The A/C, while it does not create an Arctic wind, certainly does cool the cab down just enough to make it bearable. The EFI conversion, on the other hand, really adds WOOMA here at Highveld altitudes, don't know how much difference is experienced down at the coast though.

-F_D

Thabogrobler · Post by **Thabogrobler** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:04 pm

When I buy a new vehichle I have a simple, golden rule: No aircon, no interest!

But whilst you all are scratching around for some SFA aircons, I need one aswell??

Borntofish · Post by **Borntofish** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:07 pm

I have all the parts, except the pulley on the crank. Anybody have one lying around?

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:31 pm

Thanks Family_Dog, I will look into the EFI in the future. Certainly something to think about.

Still trying to find an aircon!

If I find some at the manufacturers, I will post the details here - if there is enough interest, maybe they will run a batch.... you can only hope!

So if anyone is serious about an aircon, post it here, maybe we can rustle up enough interest.

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:42 pm

Borntofish wrote:I have all the parts, except the pulley on the crank. Anybody have one lying around?

@ Borntofish: Do you mean you want a pulley or are wanting to get rid of your aircon parts?

Borntofish · Post by **Borntofish** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:43 pm

I am looking for that pulley, they seem to be just as scarce as the aircon parts.

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 8:46 pm

Pity - you got my hopes up there...

I suppose you could always get an engineering firm to make you one - at least the part that bolts on to the existing one.

jontheron · Post by **jontheron** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:17 pm

what about an electric aircon that wont suck power from the motor ???????

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:22 pm

jontheron wrote:what about an electric aircon that wont suck power from the motor ???????

Never heard of such a beast? I assume that the power would still need to come from the engine anyway to charge the batteries and the alternator would just put the strain on the engine plus the added loss for the conversion from the alternator to the battery, then to the aircon?? I think the power loss/ cost would actually be more...

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:46 pm

Alan
I am defenitely interested in an aircon for my bakkie.Please keep us update.

jontheron · Post by **jontheron** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 9:54 pm

all the new hybrids run electric aircon usuly a 110 v system at about 5000 btu so u need a power converter but they draw alot less power fron the motor compaired to the standerd aircon its like a viscus fann vs an electric fan

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:24 pm

jontheron wrote:all the new hybrids run electric aircon usuly a 110 v system at about 5000 btu so u need a power converter but they draw alot less power fron the motor compaired to the standerd aircon its like a viscus fann vs an electric fan

Sounds interesting - where can I see/get one? I am still dubious, but will check anything out!

jontheron · Post by **jontheron** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 10:32 pm

a prius aircon compressor

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Tue Oct 16, 2012 11:11 pm

Thanks, looks expensive! Will check it out.

Borntofish · Post by **Borntofish** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 6:27 am

Found the manufacturer. It is a Denso product.

http://www.globaldensoproducts.com/hvc/ ... essor.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:11 am

Looks very nice. Anyone have any experience with these or any comments?

Jaco Versfeld · Post by **Jaco Versfeld** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 8:27 am

Hi There,

I would also be interested in an aircon for Mufasa (4y). At the moment I still need the crank pulley (Mufasa has a power steering, so the pulley needs to be between the alternator pulley and the power steering pulley), and a condensor. I have a pump, a bracket (haven't checked whether the bracket fits), the external radiator and the internal (cabin) radiator. What else do I need - some piping...

Ultimate4x4 (in Pretoria) do have a couple of internal (cabin) radiators in stock...

Ultimate4x4 has generic pulleys for aircons, but I haven't checked if this do fit between the alternator pulley and the power steering pulley.

Thanks,
J

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Wed Oct 17, 2012 10:16 am

I just got off the line with the manufacturers and they said that if there was enough demand, they would consider doing a small run of SFA aircon kits. Bad news is that they would need at least 50 seriously interested (read committed) people to make it a viable proposition. So if there is to be any hope of getting these things back in the stores, we would have to rustle up quite a lot of people - lets see what happens here!

The chap I spoke to is trying to sort out a kit for me and there is also the possibility that he can modify a universal kit to fit the Hilux - will keep you posted.

Regarding the crankshaft pulley, I may be able to get hold of the engineering drawing to make them up on demand, otherwise any good engineering shop should be able to do it. That is the least of the problems!

Just a note for anyone interested, these pulleys are notorious for coming loose on the end of the crankshaft, shearing the pin (or whatever it is called) and spinning around on the end of the crankshaft wrecking the crankshaft in the process! Make sure yours is torqued properly! I even put some stud lock on my old one to help make sure this never catches me out. It happened to my brother in law in Tanzania and it was not pretty!

Apparently the original pulley was never designed to have the extra pulleys bolted on to it and the load on the triple pulley is too much. I don't think it helps when you use the crankshaft pulley nut to rotate the engine when doing work on the engine!

Check your crankshaft pulley torque!

Willied · Post by **Willied** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:04 pm

Any update on this? I am looking for the evaporator and will pay for it.. :)

The condenser can be bought from Bosch and so can a compressor.. Would like to go the electrical route to be able to place the unit elsewhere in the bonnet.

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:28 pm

No answer from the manufacturer yet. I did chase him yesterday and he assured me he hadn't forgotten about me, but it would take a little time to find all the bits.

I will chase him up again on Monday.

Willied wrote: The condenser can be bought from Bosch and so can a compressor...

Are you referring to the standard compressor or the fancy electrical one? Any idea how much?

Does anyone have any further info on the electrical one - like cost, efficiency, would it actually work, etc... ??

I didn't even know such a thing existed until jontheron's post the other day.

Post by **pietpetoors** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:53 pm

I do not know anything about aircons, but is there a difference between the way a car aircon works and a home aircon?
Look at these electric pumps, they use it for trucks and campers
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/48916 ... 8_72v.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Fri Oct 19, 2012 8:59 pm

Now that looks interesting. Never thought to look at how truck drivers aircon their vehicles. I just assumed they did it the same way as in cars.

So it looks like there may be something in the electric way after all, but I do doubt as to how compact and out of sight it would be.

Also repairs would probably be a nightmare.

Willied · Post by **Willied** » Sat Oct 20, 2012 8:21 am

Alan, no.. sadly bosch only sells mechanical compressors as far as I know.. And buying anything from Toyota will be to costly I would think.

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 4:49 am

Hi Alan

Would you be interested if i can get an aircon bracket for your 4y motor (R450.00)?

Post by **Mud Dog** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 5:22 pm

The refrigeration / air-con principle remains the same, whether the compressor is driven by an electric motor or the vehicle motor.

My thinking is that the electrical system is less energy efficient ..... motor driving alternator / alternator charging battery / battery and alternator driving compressor ...... too many 'links' and energy is lost in between, whereas less is lost with a direct fan-belt drive. How much friction /energy loss is there on a fan belt .... minimal. The nice thing about an electrically driven unit is that if you have a dual battery system, you can run it for a while when you are parked without the motor running. My only question then would be, how long do you have before the battery is run down .... can't imagine it would be too long.

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 11:10 am

I know it has been a while, but I thought I would post an update for anyone who is interested.

I managed to get an aircon for my bakkie! My mechanic bought my old bakkie and didn't want the aircon, so I got it for free! Only cost R1500 to move it over to my "new" 89 Hilux - yay!!

In my searching, I did find someone who said he had 2 brand new Dunair kits lying around!

Probably the only 2 in the whole country!!

The chap is Firoz of Thunder Sound in Jacobs Durban. His cell is: 082 786 3937 and I think his landline number is: 031 465 4635.

Firoz quoted me R7500 fully fitted. I didn't bargain or anything as I had already got myself sorted out.

The last time I spoke to him was at the end of Jan 2013, so he will probably still have the kits if anyone is interested. I have never dealt with him other than a quick phone call so I can't vouch for him at all. Good luck!

Hope this helps someone!!

Post back here if this helped you.

Botterbul · Post by **Botterbul** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:59 am

Hi Guys

I also had a problem getting a aircon for my 1990 SFA. After a long search I made contact with Manny from Motor Air in Boksburg. He build one from scratch. Done a great job, neat and tidy. Comes at a price, but nobody would do it. Can't really feel a loss in power. Would say it's worth every cent. What I would like to do is replace the old fan as the standard one doesn't blow very strong. Any suggestions would be appreaciated.

Botterbul

ink · Post by **ink** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:31 am

Hi sorry for barging in here, I'm an certified aircon technichian and my feeling on the elect vehicle air con is that the technology is in its beginning stage, even luxery german vehicle still comes out with an mechanical pump/compressor. And yes the prinsaple on an domestic and vehicle air con is the same.....any one that can manage to get an second hand aircon for their lux and is near gauteng and need it be installed or. Even an old system to be fixed or service are more than welcome to cantact me Jaques 0824102758......I sorted my lux aircon and it works exelent, have an 2.8 diesel so don't veel the diff in power los and so on

ink · Post by **ink** » Wed Mar 13, 2013 9:34 am

I think I must disign an. 12volt elect air con for vehicles same prinsipe as an 12volt fridge, will make an lot of cash with all the gr8 old luxxes

Willied · Post by **Willied** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:20 am

Jacques, if you say your aircon works great.. what did you do to the "slow" blowing fan?

Ahari · Post by **Ahari** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 8:32 am

I am also keen to hear any suggestions for improving the fan efficiency!

dustbuster · Post by **dustbuster** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 10:57 am

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9483" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The Legend · Post by **The Legend** » Thu Mar 14, 2013 5:05 pm

dustbuster wrote:viewtopic.php?f=3&t=9483

Still want,s to know exactly which year model Corolla interior fan will fits the SFA.The ones i could get hold of was too big.So the search continious.

ThysdJ · Post by **ThysdJ** » Fri Mar 15, 2013 9:14 am

Rather try one of these..

I did and it works!!

ink · Post by **ink** » Sun Apr 07, 2013 10:57 am

The fans speed works with resistance, either reduce the resistance or get anhigher rpm motor.