Want to put A/C in a M925A1... anyone got pictures of their install?

[Farmallmilitary]

Scootertrs did you have a chance to mess with the a/c install over the weekend? I am still trying to figure out how I should install the evap box.

 

[goldneagle]

If it was me I would cut the evap box to fit. A lot of time there is wasted space inside that can be eliminated. If possible cut it in the middle of a void, then overlap the two pieces and either rivet or screw them together. Since it is inside you don't need to weld the pieces together like i did on my toolbox project. Call me if you want me to further explain this.

 

[scootertrs]

I spent the weekend (and a good part of Prez day) installing the remote battery box and the 3 steps (2 cab one retractable-bed) All went great and spent some time studying the evaporator install... I made the following observations...

1. Even with the batteries out, the evaporator will not fit beneath the passenger seat (I do not want to lose that seat)

2. Next step will be the removal of the horns (temporarily) and the heater blower and core setup. Once that is done, I will be better able to address the install. looking at the possibility of partially in the cab and partially outside. I really wished that the intake and outlet were not at opposite ends.

3. Another option we have, once the batteries are relocated is the tool box that sits just below the passenger door... seems to be big enough... ? maybe?

4. Worst case scenario... vintage air sells an evaporator/heater core unit that is a lot more compact and is made to do the kind of nonsense we are attempting... but I am nowhere near giving up yet!

Scootertrs did you have a chance to mess with the a/c install over the weekend? I am still trying to figure out how I should install the evap box.

 

[scootertrs]

I like that idea... Also If we could figure out a way to have the intake and outlet come out on the same end... or at 90 degrees to each other

If it was me I would cut the evap box to fit. A lot of time there is wasted space inside that can be eliminated. If possible cut it in the middle of a void, then overlap the two pieces and either rivet or screw them together. Since it is inside you don't need to weld the pieces together like i did on my toolbox project. Call me if you want me to further explain this.

 

[scootertrs]

BTW, I have not run my M925 any real amount of time to know... how hot does it get inside the engine compartment? If we choose to place the evap/heater in the engine compartment the heat may impact the cooling capacity.

 

[goldneagle]

I like that idea... Also If we could figure out a way to have the intake and outlet come out on the same end... or at 90 degrees to each other

Another idea would be to build a custom box out of heavy sheet-metal and use the innards of the evap in the new custom box. (cheaper than buying a whole new evap)

Funny thing is i am not even installing an A/C unit, but here i am giving advise!

 

[Farmallmilitary]

I didnt even think of the toolbox option but I think that may be harder to do. I was also thinking about having the box half in half out which would be probably the easiest but wouldn't look as good. I will probably end up heating up the middle hump thing with a torch and just bending it enough for the box to slide in then I wouldn't have to cut or weld anything together.

P.S. Once you take the heater out of he truck, cover up the hole. Birds like to climb in there and start making the cab their home. Personal experience.

 

[scootertrs]

Funny thing is i am not even installing an A/C unit, but here i am giving advise![/QUOTE]... That is the beauty of our disease... err... hobby... most of us have never done these things before... but as a team... I feel we can do pretty much anything... Thanks for the help.

Another idea would be to build a custom box out of heavy sheet-metal and use the innards of the evap in the new custom box. (cheaper than buying a whole new evap)

Funny thing is i am not even installing an A/C unit, but here i am giving advise!

 

[scootertrs]

Got a picture of what that looks like (not the birds... the cab and the engine compartment without the heater...)

BTW, I just thought of fiberglass as an alternate fabrication material... basically cutting up the box to fit and using the fiberglass as an interconnector of parts.

I didnt even think of the toolbox option but I think that may be harder to do. I was also thinking about having the box half in half out which would be probably the easiest but wouldn't look as good. I will probably end up heating up the middle hump thing with a torch and just bending it enough for the box to slide in then I wouldn't have to cut or weld anything together.

P.S. Once you take the heater out of he truck, cover up the hole. Birds like to climb in there and start making the cab their home. Personal experience.

 

[goldneagle]

Got a picture of what that looks like (not the birds... the cab and the engine compartment without the heater...)

BTW, I just thought of fiberglass as an alternate fabrication material... basically cutting up the box to fit and using the fiberglass as an interconnector of parts.

Overlap and rivet. Then use aluminum tape to go over the seam if you want air tight.

 

[scootertrs]

Guys, I cannot stress enough how that MK48 battery box kicks butt... even if you do not mount batteries in it. It fits perfectly in the space on top of the tool box behind the passenger side of the M925. All I had to do is remove the Jerry can mount and the bracket with 2 fabric straps that goes right behind it.) As bolt in a mod that adds a lot of space. If you use it as a battery box, you now have the room below the seat as a stash area... and if you make it lock, a pretty secure area. It was pretty much an impulse buy, but worked out great and since the lid slides out, works great.

 

[scootertrs]

The aluminum tape you refer to is that the one nicknamed... monkey snot? used for a/c systems?

Overlap and rivet. Then use aluminum tape to go over the seam if you want air tight.

 

[Farmallmilitary]

Yeah Fiberglass would probably work just fine. That would be pretty easy to work with.

The engine compartement gets pretty warm and the box would be near the exhaust manifold which would heat the box up. It was hot enough that when I went on an excursion in it on New years I had some burritos which I just put on the engine and it heated them up pretty good. Kind of an overkill oven.

 

[goldneagle]

Guys, I cannot stress enough how that MK48 battery box kicks butt... even if you do not mount batteries in it. It fits perfectly in the space on top of the tool box behind the passenger side of the M925. All I had to do is remove the Jerry can mount and the bracket with 2 fabric straps that goes right behind it.) As bolt in a mod that adds a lot of space. If you use it as a battery box, you now have the room below the seat as a stash area... and if you make it lock, a pretty secure area. It was pretty much an impulse buy, but worked out great and since the lid slides out, works great.

How about some pictures. Check out my thread on my M923 modifications. I built 2 tool boxes to take up that space above the large tool box.

 

[scootertrs]

here you go... if you want more pics or details, I can get for you tomorrow. I will check out your mods. Thanks

 

[Farmallmilitary]

Now all you got to do is paint it so it will match the rest of the truck.

 

[scootertrs]

On my To-Do list... did you check out the retractable steps? Even with the tailgate down I could not hike my leg that far...

Now all you got to do is paint it so it will match the rest of the truck.

 

[goldneagle]

How much did that box end up costing?

 

[scootertrs]

If my wife is reading this... $20.00... - for anyone else, $100.00 (a bargain, I think) bff has got some very fair prices...

How much did that box end up costing?

 

[scootertrs]

BTW, just found the pics I took at BBF's place of the a/c'd armored 900 series unit... guess how they mounted the a/c condensor... take a look...

Here are some pictures of the condensor that I installed yesterday. You can hardly even see it behind the grill.
yes there is a port for outside air, I believe that there is a flap that opens the vent but in the pictures goldneagle posted I cant really see it. I'm not positive about all the air ports because I haven't looked at that part in depth but I know there is a outside air vent.

Thanks zev for posting the pictures.