Retrofit AC kits saved me a headache on an old Pete I was fixing

Everyone online kept telling me to rip out the old R12 system and go full custom electric. I figured I would try a bolt-in retrofit kit on a 1987 Peterbilt I had in my bay near Tulsa, and I was surprised how smooth it went. The compressor brackets lined up, the new drier fit, and I only had to adapt one hose end to make it work. It took me about six hours total with flushing the lines, and it cooled to 38 degrees at the vent on a 90 degree day. Cost me around $900 for the kit and refrigerant, versus the $2,500 quote I got for a custom setup. I know purists swear by keeping it original, but for a working truck that hauls grain, this was the practical call. Has anyone else used these kits on older rigs, or did you run into fitment troubles I should watch for on the next one?

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miles_grant355d ago

Man, I feel you on the purist thing, they act like swapping out a dead R12 system is some kind of crime against the truck. I did a retrofit on an old Kenworth and had the same experience, everything bolted up and it blew cold without draining my wallet. Six hours and 900 bucks beats a 2,500 dollar custom job any day for a truck that's actually working.

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