Tacoma with no A/C

My 2002 Toyota tacoma has no A/C and no its not because it’s broken it’s because its not there at all, from the factory no A/C as the guy i bought it from was from Canada and so is the truck he didn't need it, but where i live id would be nice, any thoughts if there is a full kit to do everything to install one or should i just try and find a parts truck? Or or i in way over my head.

 

you can easily add a custom ac or an oem one, people do it all the time with vintage cars. I live in Los Angeles Ac is mandatory

 

Welcome to TW!

It's doable, but you're gonna have to pull the dash; I'd recommend getting the complete system from a totaled or rusted truck. The dashboard will have to be removed to install the evaporator core.

 

Especially in the valley; I was there for vacation in the summer of 2016 and I took an Uber from Malibu to Hollywood, a 2004 Prius with 240K miles. It was 97 degrees and luckily the A/C in that Prius was ICE COLD!

 

I saw what I believe is your truck's twin at the local dealer in my neck of the woods back in November 2017...

 

No A/C, which is shocking for a 2002 base model truck of any make or model here in Southeast Pennsylvania!

 

Yeah, there are definitely aftermarket kits out there to do it. If you go to a pick n' pull, I'd make sure you get a list together of all the parts you'll need. Download a factory service manual, and that should have all the diagrams and parts that you'll need.

I'd imagine the serpentine belt and all that is different too.

I would bet that if you went with one of those aftermarket kits, being that they aren't 20 years old, you might end up with a cooler a/c in the end.

 

@Taco critter

Do you know anything about installing A/C in a Toyota truck that didn't come with it?

 

OP, do your HVAC controls look like the one above with the blanking plate in place of the A/C button, or is there evidence that there was an A/C button at some point?

 

I, too, have a 2002 base model without AC. Only “option” mine has is 4wd. My dash looks exactly like yours fwiw

 

I’m not saying it’s easy, but all the holes in the firewall and bolt locations in the engine bay should be there for AC components.

 

That's actually not mine; I found it for sale at the local Toyota dealer almost four years ago. I do not have power windows, but one thing I could not do without in a vehicle is A/C, which my truck has!

 

I grew up in Georgia. We didn't have AC in our home until I was in 9th grade, 1972. I didn't have AC in a car until I was 25, 1983.

I'm not saying I'd want to go back, but it wouldn't be worth the expense of adding it to a 20 year old truck to me. You still have the option of 2/60 AC. That's 2 windows down @ 60 mph.

Or do something like this.

 

I’d probably grab a donor truck, they show up on Craigslist all the time with rusted frames. It’ll have the parts and it’ll show you where they all go.

 

Your ahead going to a complete new kit

Unless your real lucky and can find a running parts truck that the AC works

It is not a hard technical job lots of grunt work

 

Welcome to Tacoma World

If you want a factory system buy an identical parts truck with AC. Trying to get everything pulled and reinstalled from a pick n pull would be a nightmare.

That said - is the juice worth the squeeze? This is a big, crappy, labor intensive job, not overly difficult but a lot of work. The windows are free after all.

If you do take it on, post pictures to give the next member the opportunity to say -- "nah, too much work".

 

I read another post by a guy with an older one ('96?) where he didnt have to remove the dash for the evaporator install, and just dropped the glovebox and that stuff out of the way. Can anyone who has ACTUALLY done it chime in? I have a '96 standard cab 5vz I'd like to retrofit as well...

 

I think it depends just what you call the dash.

To me the dash means everything from the floor to the windshield but for the steel reinforcement.

Now for me to change a blower motor I need to remove the right seat and the right door to be able to reach the motor so I venture to say body size plays a role.

Then every time I had the Evaporator coil out the heater core was also removed

I am sure some people are small enough to wiggle in there I am not.

 

I just removed the glove box. But installing a new system it might require the removal of more for ducting.

 

I love that Toyota just put a blank button