2013 Base Tacoma has AC leak somewhere in cabin area.

That's the only thing I got out of your post. So you went through all this work and spent money on parts and then didn't vacuum the system prior to recharge...so you've wasted your time and money.

You now have moisture in your AC lines which corrode all the aluminum parts and cause early failure, cause the system to decrease in efficiency very quickly meaning less cold air and the moisture can freeze in the winter (depending on your location) and at best cause a blockage but at worst rupture the system.

If you don't have the proper tools, don't do the work yourself. I would take your truck to a shop and let them evacuate the system, vacuum it and then recharge it. Probably less than $200.

 

I've been thinking about this, and I think what I'll do is wait and see if I took care of the leaks, and if so, this is all I need to do to complete the job. If not, I'm pulling the dashboard anyway.

Which leads me to my next question.

At what point in the process of removing my dashboard does the vehicle become inoperable mechanically?

 

Your not really gona be able to drive it at any point during a dash job.
See below for some examples of what it entails.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/interior-firewall-carpet-removal-help.781103/

 

Bought this vacuum pump five years ago. Had to buy the correct adapter for R134A gauges. Currently $70.

$69 ZENY 3.5CFM Single-Stage 5 Pa Rotary Vane Economy Vacuum Pump 3 CFM 1/4HP Air Conditioner Refrigerant HVAC Air Tool R410a 1/4" Flare Inlet Port, Blue

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B012CFTYX4?ie=UTF8

 

Also, I'd like to add that typically Auto parts stores will have all the tools on their rental program that you'd need for your AC work, to include the vacuum pump and the AC manifold kit. Usually you just put a down payment on the equipment but when you return it the following day, you'll get your money refunded. The only thing that they wont have would be a scale to weigh the quantity of refrigerant you're putting back into your system. I bought one of those cheap kitchen scales specifically for this, I think I spent somewhere around 20$.

-J

 

NOTE: The receiver / Dryer is built in to the Condenser Assembly on a Tacoma. So you would need to replace the entire Condenser / Receiver / Dryer Assembly and pull a good vacuum for a proper repair.

https://parts.longotoyota.com/oem-parts/toyota-condenser-8846004211

 

Did not know that about the receiver/dryer. Is that for all Tacomas? Old school says to always replace the receiver/dryer whenever you open the system. Hopefully I won't have to do that any time soon.

 

Almost all vehicles are like this now, you can technically replace the desiccant bag and filter but by the time you pull the condenser out to do so you may as well replace the whole thing.

 

In my link you can see it is only 260 bucks. Pretty good insurance policy.

 

You can get them even cheaper on the Zon, but be careful a few of mine were shipped at damaged even though the box looked fine.

$99 Denso 477-0839 A/C Condenser

Denso 477-0839 A/C Condenser

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-ac-condenser-replacement-tips.495755/page-3#post-25809820

 

It's just not clear that you can't reattach the steering wheel when the rest of the dash is missing.

edit: my phone did weird things with quotes.

 

Sorry, but if you refilled your system without pulling a vacuum (did you really do that!?) that ship has sailed. You need to replace the filter dryer... and hence the condenser.

 

*I* did it. Is it really too late now? Is the rust going to start that fast?

 

It's not that simple, when you pull a dash you are unplugging alot of wiring and modules not to mention all the structural support for everything so no you can't just put the steering column back in and drive the truck with no dash.

The problem is the oil in an A/C system is hydroscopic meaning it absorbs moisture from it's environment, when it absorbs enough moisture it becomes acidic and it's lubrication properties are reduced. That and removing air from the system is why you are supposed to always pull a vacuum on a refrigeration system before charging it.

That being said I have seen systems where people didn't pull a vacuum on and had no issues other than reduced cooling capability due to the air in the system, but I would never reccomend charging an empty system without first pulling a vacuum on it.

 

Not me. I didn't do or need any A/C work, the thread starter did. I was just commenting on the receiver/dryer being part of the condenser. I never noticed that.

 

That does sound kinda bad. I wonder if this will cause a failure one component at a time or if I'll find that everything needs to be replaced all at once.