red_dog007

What kinda of retro fit can be done with these units?

What is the best/cheap route to go?

1989 Jeep Cherokee 4.0L

Unit works fine, just low on R12. Rather convert to r134a if it is feasible.

Turbo X_J

Roll down the windows.

red_dog007

Been over 100 degrees. It is doable because it has been so dry, but usually the humidity is 70+% which is not doable even at 80 degrees.

jronald

134 is 30% less efficient, keep that in mind

Ron

Turbo X_J

Have you checked around for a shop that will repair and recharge your R-12 system? That would be the less expensive route to go.

Destination XJ

Buy the recharge kit, and a r134 to r12 adapter and just add the r134 it works just don't get as cold.



So I have heard

Firestorm500

I have spent thousands of dollars on A/C systems.

Stay with the R-12 in your case. Don't convert!

Mycherokee96

Actually the right way to do this is to buy a Reciever/Dryer and replace the old one. Have the system filled at a shop, who has a machine to do it. The machine removes all the old oil that has been in there with the R12. The reciever dryer is cheap enough. Probably around 50.00. The retro kit about 12.00. DO NOT MIX THE TWO. 12 and 134 have different opperating pressures. That means you just cant put the 134 fittings on the system and fill it.
As far fixing and filling your system...IF you can find 12, it's going to cost you a small fortune. Thats the rule not the exception. If a shop can get it, its 750.00 for 35lbs. as opposed to 350.00 for 134. Here in NY anyway...take it from there. 134 operates at higher pressures. Hence....your only supposed to fill it 80-85%. I fill the systems as per what they take.. Never had a problem and its ice cold....Hope this helps...

Slick761

^^^ what he said. You also want to make sure your other components are in good shape. You have to have it evacuated then they add mineral oil I believe, put on the 134 fittings and fill it.

Firestorm500

Everyone means well when they tell you to convert, but it is cheaper, simpler, and more efficient if the system was R-12 to begin with to stay with R-12.

R-12 is about $55.00 a can retail here. The average system uses about 2 cans.

You will end up working on the converted system more because 134, being more volatile, leaks out of older non-barrier 12 hoses.

In my '87 Cherokee, I tried it both ways. The 12 pulled the cabin temperatures down 15 degrees colder than the 134 did.

I live in the hot, humid South and the converted 134 was not comfortable in that particular Jeep.

Slick761

I found it was up to 80$ a can here. I could have the shop convert and fill it so I don't even have to do any work for the same price as filling it with 12.... I am however looking into this freeze 12 stuff. Might be worth a try.

djb383

I agree with Mycherokee96, I've done 2 r12 to r134 conversions successfully. Flushed the evaps and conds, blow ot with compressed air, replaced most of the other parts with new, added correct amount of new oil and let a pro pull a vacuum/re-charge. Very cold a/c (mid 30 degree vent temps) both times.

thakmfb

It is also dependent on what condition your system is in? A/C compressor is it compressing as it should? This is where a good set of manifold gauges come in handy so you can actually see the operating pressures. Is your expansion valve working properly? Again where a good set of manifold gauges come in handy. Is your condenser and accumulator operating properly? Again a good set of manifold gauges will tell you. Basically just putting fittings on and blastin it with some stuff in a can is not going to just fix it. You have to know what your working with.

Firestorm500

Freeze 12 is 134 with additives to make it compatible with 12.

red_dog007

What do some of you mean that R12 costs $X dollars for a can? I thought that you could not buy this stuff at all.
Only to a shop, and I'd imagine expensive!?

A shop I went to charged me $70 for just 2lbs of r134a. I'd imagine that R12 that hasn't been manufactured for almost 2 decades to be a lot more.


Also, is Freeze 12 a worthy replacement?


Not sure how well the A/C system is doing. If it is like the rest of my Jeep, most likely not worthy for a r134a conversion.
It does get cold, but not much. Just like it needs more freeon.