how costly to add A/C to an 89 astro cargo?

kengarchow · Post by **kengarchow** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 10:15 am

there isa van in town i like but it has no A/C
was wondering how hard it would be to add A/C
thanks

Rebel · Post by **Rebel** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 12:10 pm

you'd come out better getting one of the streetrod kit hang under the dash units than trying to round up all the factory parts.

rlsllc · Post by **rlsllc** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 4:50 pm

Just look for a van with A/C. It will cost more (and be more work) to add it than an 89 van is worth. It is A LOT of work, there is a lot of parts changing.

If you're really determined, use the aftermarket system (they are around $1000), and if you can't swing that, find a 1994 or 1995 van for (r134a) everything but the box, and an 85-89 for the box. The dash has to come out to change the box. Do-able, but not really worth the time or effort in my opinion. You don't want the earlier components (before 1994) cause they were designed to work with r12 and aren't suitable for r134a. That's my opinion, others may feel differently.

kengarchow · Post by **kengarchow** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:54 pm

thanks for the info

kengarchow · Post by **kengarchow** » Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:57 pm

since adding A/C to an early astro seems to be cost prohibitive, what are some good alternatives to make it more comfortable in the sumer?
thanks

Kabey's Van · Post by **Kabey's Van** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:03 am

Check out this link. I thought this was an awesome idea, but I think Larry removed it from his van for reasons reasons unknown.
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=2291

ihatemybike · Post by **ihatemybike** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 4:36 am

I'd add a roof vent.

viewtopic.php?f=7&t=4443

1Gary · Post by **1Gary** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:14 am

My 1985 Ole Yellar van has A/C which when I bought it wasn't working and in fact the belt was taken off by the owner before me.I briefly looked into the conversion kits for r134a which was quite a long time ago and was told the kits pricing has dropped a lot.That they where not that expensive any longer.Surely it doesn't account for the costs and work for you to get junk yard parts for your conversion.

As Aaron said you could go the roof vent route,but if you are going that way,maybe a sun roof would be a option you would want to consider.Or one over the driver's side and one over the passenger side.The downside of sun roofs is it seems all of them leak at one point or another and that has to be dealt with.

In my opinion,if the 89 cargo is in decent shape and you like it,buy it to make it into what you want.The people here will help you to get it there.It is kind of what this site is all about.

Cobra · Post by **Cobra** » Mon Jan 04, 2010 6:40 am

I somewhat agree with Gary it's hard to find a vehicle with EVERYTHING you want thats why most people ended up here. If you are very very patient and have a garage it's might be interesting to add AC but i would look for a vehicle that comes with it. It sounds like the same kind of deal as the RWD to AWD conversion it's doable but not worth the time or effort. Roof vent does seem practical, we know how to do it and it works, sunroof sounds interesting haven't seen it done yet but has been a topic of much discussion and research no one brave enough to do it yet AFAIK

just my 2 cents

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how costly to add A/C to an 89 astro cargo?

how costly to add A/C to an 89 astro cargo?

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what are some good alternatives for A/C?

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