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Installation of Vintage Air's After market A/C Unit Into an FJ55
By, Lance Williams

When my factory A/C died my FJ55 Land Cruiser became unbearably hot without the rear window down. (You 55 drivers know what I mean.) My receiver/dryer had failed internally, releasing its contents to contaminate the rest of the system and cause my compressor to seize. I would need to replace the compressor, evaporator valve, receiver/dryer and possibly have a couple of custom hoses made to connect to the replacement compressor. In addition to that I would need to have the system cleaned and charged with expensive R12 refrigerant. All this to have a system that still had a bunch of 20 year old parts that might need servicing again soon?

No, repairing the factory system was just out of the question. Besides, the "all new" replacement systems don't cost much more than the above repairs. They also have more vents, better fans and run the new R134a refrigerant that is cheaper and safer for the environment.

In my search for replacement parts I had contacted a Texas company called Vintage Air. It turns out that they make an after market A/C system for the FJ40 Land Cruiser, a close relative to the FJ55. I knew some modifications would be required so I placed my order and two weeks later the fun began.

Let the install begin!