F-150 LS Air conditioning
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 22
F-150 LS Air conditioning I'm replacing all the A/C system on the 88 F-150 on my LS Swap.
What's the best approach to this once the time comes?
Get all the stuff from a Silverado. Like evap core, condenser, lines etc and make it work?
Or get stuff that was oem to the Ford F-150 and make it work?
I have to replace pretty much the whole system such as evaporator core, accumulator, condenser, etc. Thanks.
What's the best approach to this once the time comes?
Get all the stuff from a Silverado. Like evap core, condenser, lines etc and make it work?
Or get stuff that was oem to the Ford F-150 and make it work?
I have to replace pretty much the whole system such as evaporator core, accumulator, condenser, etc. Thanks.
I'm replacing all the A/C system on the 88 F-150 on my LS Swap.
What's the best approach to this once the time comes?
Get all the stuff from a Silverado. Like evap core, condenser, lines etc and make it work?
Or get stuff that was oem to the Ford F-150 and make it work?
I have to replace pretty much the whole system such as evaporator core, accumulator, condenser, etc. Thanks.
What's the best approach to this once the time comes?
Get all the stuff from a Silverado. Like evap core, condenser, lines etc and make it work?
Or get stuff that was oem to the Ford F-150 and make it work?
I have to replace pretty much the whole system such as evaporator core, accumulator, condenser, etc. Thanks.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 22
For something like this, I'd probably stick with as many of the original Ford parts as I could. You might have to fab up or have a bracket made to mount up the compressor and custom A/C lines will probably have to be made to connect to it. It could still work with a GM A/C compressor I'd think. But the heater core, condenser, and all that stuff should remain OEM.
TECH Resident
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 993
Likes: 173
From: Euless, TX
Keep the F150 system, get the orifice tube for the 95 R134a version of the same truck. Most Fords went from Blue to Red when they transitioned to R134a. Find a microtube parallel flow condenser replacement for your 88. Then have hoses made to mate it to the GM compressor. There is a good chance the LS truck clutch fan will fit right into the Ford shroud as well. Make sure to flush out the evaporator and hard lines well and replace the accumulator with a new R134a compatible unit. Depending on how much of a pain it is to do, probably worth removing the evaporator core to inspect and clean it. The older trucks do not use a cabin filter and the cores get plugged up. Reseal the core to the box with close cell adhesive backed foam insulation. The more air you can get to go through the evaporator core the better the ac will work. I use aluminum duct tape to seal the duct work connections behind the dash. The ac controls are vacuum, need to make sure that vacuum is connected to the vacuum storage coffee can underhood through a check valve.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2022
Posts: 45
Likes: 22
Keep the F150 system, get the orifice tube for the 95 R134a version of the same truck. Most Fords went from Blue to Red when they transitioned to R134a. Find a microtube parallel flow condenser replacement for your 88. Then have hoses made to mate it to the GM compressor. There is a good chance the LS truck clutch fan will fit right into the Ford shroud as well. Make sure to flush out the evaporator and hard lines well and replace the accumulator with a new R134a compatible unit. Depending on how much of a pain it is to do, probably worth removing the evaporator core to inspect and clean it. The older trucks do not use a cabin filter and the cores get plugged up. Reseal the core to the box with close cell adhesive backed foam insulation. The more air you can get to go through the evaporator core the better the ac will work. I use aluminum duct tape to seal the duct work connections behind the dash. The ac controls are vacuum, need to make sure that vacuum is connected to the vacuum storage coffee can underhood through a check valve.
