Anybody added Air Conditioning?

GMCTyphoon · July 25, 2006

I bought my '01 silverado new and got base base base model, except for the functional stuff like limited slip rear end, towing package, etc. I have a bench seat, vinyl floors, manual windows / locks, and no AC. Since I'm seeing more late model silverados in the junkyard now, I was wondering if anybody has tackled adding air conditioning to their truck? Aside from the obvious stuff like a compressor, condenser, accumulator, evaporator, lines, and controls, does anybody know if the truck is pre-wired for AC, or is adding this going to be a complete hackjob and pretty much impossible? I consider myself capable of doing anything, and on paper, this doesn't seem too tough. Thoughts?

dewfpo · July 25, 2006

You may have to get the PCM re-flashed for A/C as well. The ECM has to modify engine speed at idle as it kicks on and off.

DEWFPO

Rolandd · July 27, 2006

I have to wonder how the ECM will respond to the A/C system if it is not flashed. I know that many of these systems need to know when the compressor is on to modify idle settings (basically to keep the idle speed constant under the oscillating load of the comressor cycling). Also, the ECM will turn the compressor off at WOT for maximum power. However, these two things do not seem critical to me. If you cannot get the ECM to compensate for the A/C you might have stalling problems when steering hard at low speed, such as when parallel parking, because the accessory load will exceed the engine's idle power.

I have installed A/C in several vehicles in my past. Make sure that you have access to the doner vehicle until you get the system working. Nothing like having the doner vehicle crushed when you need two forgotten brackets and a sensor with a few feet of wire to make life unhappy. Also, make sure that you tint your windows if they are clear glass--the A/C system will have a hard time keeping up with clear glass in the truck. Expect to do some cutting and drilling, as well as patching. Usually the pipes and other connections through the fire wall are not in the same places between A/C and non-A/C heating systems.

Good luck! Nothing is more satisfying than sitting in traffic knowing you are cool because of all that hard work.

--Roland

99-2door · July 27, 2006

Holy crap...they made 2001s without AC!

pm26 · July 27, 2006

Holy crap...they made 2001s without AC!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I saw a new 2006 Silverado base work truck with the A/C delete option. About 30 years ago, only luxury vehicles like Cadillacs and Lincolns came with the A/C as standard equipment.

99-2door · July 27, 2006

Down here in OK and TX you just don't see them. Nobody would buy a vehicle that doesn't have it. Even the cheapest of cheap trucks have it.

SoCalChris · July 27, 2006

The dealer in Butte sells many work trucks with the AC deleted. It drops about $900 from the price of the vehicle.

Of course, here in Montana, there's only about 1 month out of the year that you really want the A/C, but it is nice to have.

edit: I just took a look at Butte GM's web site, they have several brand new, 2006 Silverados w/o A/C starting at $11,990. I paid $12,990 for mine from them, and it came with A/C.

Butte GM's new trucks

How much was your truck?

16again · July 28, 2006

Believe it or not, down here in South Florida many dealers have a bunch of new Chevy and GMC trucks with A/C delete. When I started looking for my new truck, I thought it was a typo. Why would any dealership in So. Florida delete the A/C????? I really don't care about power windows or fancy radio, but man we need A/C down here.