Removing A/C?

Ive been a visitor on the forums now for a couple months and finally decided to join after recently buying a slightly wrecked 1999 tacoma V6 3.4 off of my buddy. 250k. Snagged it for $1k. I knew i would have some questions after the purchase and have heard this is the place to visit. So here comes the first of many im sure. Thanks for any help.

Drivers side/middle took a hit from a black cow at night Ripped out the core support, fenders, hood, radiator etc. Now starting to put it back together and im not wanting to replace the A/C as the condenser and some tubing got a bit smashed and beat up. Can i just cap the A/C off with a nut? Should i remove all of it? Will it screw anything up if the A/C gets turned on with loose tubing and no condenser? Any advice is much appreciated!

 

Remove the belt from the AC pump. It's not needed for the truck to run. That way it won't accidentally go on.

 

May as well pull the compressor off as well as the smashed condenser.

Do you have plans to maybe get the AC working in the future at all??

If so cap off the evaporator coil to try and keep at least some dirt out.

 

Wow, you have done some great work on that thing so far. I wish I shared your talent!

 

doesn't the defrost tap into the A/C?

 

yes, you need the a/c for the defrost to work correctly or it will be pretty unsafe to drive at times unless your hand wiping the windshield constantly as you drive.

you should replace the condenser and drier along with any lines that were messed up, salvage yards will provide all of it and you just need to buy the receiver drier new along with the O-rings for any connections made.

 

you must fix the a/c so you have proper working defrost or the truck will be very unsafe to drive in some conditions. its not as easy as you think trying to drive while constantly wiping the windshield clear trying to see. straight untreated heated air doesn't remove moisture so it doesn't work to defrost anything.

go to salvage yards for everything you need to save money and then buy a new receiver drier and O-rings for any connections.

 

plenty of people drive trucks with no AC, and they survive. My first Toyota pickup had no AC, and I never died from the defrost not working properly. I did eventually sell the truck and buy a new Tacoma with AC because I was tired of driving around sweating.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Peak-PKC0J5-1...d=1453828396&sr=8-2&keywords=window+defroster

 

Another thought, if that truck is a 4x4 . . . .
Leave the compressor on, and use it as a source of compressed air, for an on-board-air system. Thats what I did to my 1984 4runner, after the A/C system failed. Worked great for years.

 

My AC needs fixed the Clutch needs changed in fact till your post I forgot all about it I have not noticed any more steamed windows then before.

Maybe climate plays into it more most all my vehicles did not have AC

 

I'd like to hear more on this

 

For a lot more info, read this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oba-on-board-air-mega-thread-bs.299523/

 

Thanks for all of the replies. I live in southern Oregon so have the defrost is pretty important. I could care less about the A/C. So it looks like its going to get a fixing. Im hoping i just need the condenser radiator and another piece of piping after going through the carnage. I really appreciate all the help guys. Im sure i will have more questions in the future!

 

never hurts, and always helps to ask

 

Thanks for the Amazon special defroster though frizzman. I almost thought about it

 

you might be able to put

Rain-X AF21212 Anti-Fog - 7 fl oz.

rainx on the inside of your windshield

 

Straight hot air has worked for me for decades in various cars without AC. It might remove condensation faster if the air is dried by the AC system but it still works fine otherwise.