What better time than this old time winter to hunker down in the shop, wood stove going, and work on an A/C installation. After my first summer with a M916A1 and frequent envious glances at the descriptions of the $ unobtainable A2 and A3 versions with A/C, I started to look at the options.
Checked with Freightliner on the long list of parts needed for the conversion, the used t/o options, and the interesting straight DC powered units. All were possible ways to go, but without a lucky find of used units serious $ were involved. While thinking all this over along came a SS classified post from Tony(tbanks) of recent production Red Dot A/C kits for the M915A2. Knowing that the A2 version of the M915 was the Freightliner/Detroit 60 equipped line haul version of the M916A1, I jumped.
The kit was designed for the armored cabs and since it was a field installation it came with everything - tools to cut the hoses, protective wrap for lines, oil in the compressor, even wire ties to finish the job.
The freightliner is a quieter cab than my 5 ton, where the ear muffs are within reach, but with the temperature extremes and full throttle hills I decided to strip out the cab inside and reinsulate. Removed the cab liner and the factory open cell foam and put in a three part layering of anti-vibration strips, composite insulation and then closed cell foam. With the lining out it was easy to adapt the evaporator mounting bracket to the non-armored cab and then install the ceiling unit after finishing the insulation.
The evaporator unit contains the fan speed controls, thermostat, and cool air ducts.
Checked with Freightliner on the long list of parts needed for the conversion, the used t/o options, and the interesting straight DC powered units. All were possible ways to go, but without a lucky find of used units serious $ were involved. While thinking all this over along came a SS classified post from Tony(tbanks) of recent production Red Dot A/C kits for the M915A2. Knowing that the A2 version of the M915 was the Freightliner/Detroit 60 equipped line haul version of the M916A1, I jumped.
The kit was designed for the armored cabs and since it was a field installation it came with everything - tools to cut the hoses, protective wrap for lines, oil in the compressor, even wire ties to finish the job.
The freightliner is a quieter cab than my 5 ton, where the ear muffs are within reach, but with the temperature extremes and full throttle hills I decided to strip out the cab inside and reinsulate. Removed the cab liner and the factory open cell foam and put in a three part layering of anti-vibration strips, composite insulation and then closed cell foam. With the lining out it was easy to adapt the evaporator mounting bracket to the non-armored cab and then install the ceiling unit after finishing the insulation.
The evaporator unit contains the fan speed controls, thermostat, and cool air ducts.
wondering when will I get used again. We should see alot more of your tank or scout car this coming summer! 
