A/C parts, what's different in "To 4/91" and "From 4/91"?

[runderwo]

All the A/C parts for the 91 Explorer, like hoses, blower motor, etc call out two different part numbers. One is marked "To 4/91" and another "From 4/91". Was there some kind of significant change at April 1991?

I'm kind of puzzled what to do because my A/C compressor, dryer, etc are replacements installed in 2001, so which parts do I use? I have a leaking compressor hose that needs to be replaced but don't know which part to buy.

 

[Reejerey]

if there are 2 different parts listed then I would assume there was a change in the system of some sort. Just check the build date of your x on the door sticker, if its before april of 91 then use the early part, if its after use the later part.

 

[runderwo]

The problem is that the compressor and accumulator I have installed is clearly a later part than the truck... so do the other parts go with the truck or with the compressor?

 

[marragtop]

Do you currently have the old R12 system, or was it upgraded to R134 when the compressor was done?

 

[runderwo]

Upgraded with the FS10 compressor (marked R-12 and R-134a) and a R-134a compatible accumulator (marked XH-7). I am guessing it originally had the "Black death" FX15.

 

[Carguy3J]

Umm, if you're not sure which one you need, and can't figure it out with pictures at the parts store, then order both, and return the wrong one. It shouldn't be a problem; especially if they know what's going on before you order the parts.

 

[runderwo]

On the hoses it looks like it's a difference in hose routing. The "Before 4/91" parts route the hoses behind the intake while the "From 4/91" parts route them in front. Still don't know what the difference in blower motor is.

 

[tigercat]

ealy model uses freon and late model uses r134 so it probaby different hose material

 

[Anime]

Explorers manufactured in 1990 to 4/91 might have used an A/C system more similar to the Bronco II or Ranger of the time, and in April '91 they switched production over to newer stuff.

It's usually not a factor anymore, as a lot of A/C parts are now only available in the 93-94 version, with even the '91-92 stuff having to use the 93-94 parts.

If everything was replaced in 2001, it's likely they used all the parts and hoses for a 93-94, although 91-92 stuff may still have been available at the time.

There really isn't that much difference other than the hose routing, and it seems the parts are compatible with each other, even though '94 was the first year for R134a, but even the factory system from '94 seems like it was just an R-12 system adapted for R134a.

 

[tuckman]

I took the hoses that come off of the compressor from a 93 and put them on a 92 (different routing), then took a compressor from a 95 aerostar. The compressors on the 92 and 93 Ex's both had the black washers installed on them but the 95 aerostar had the green washers and a tag that says 134a only. I will tell you how it ends up in a week or so after I get it all recharged.

I hate to hi-jack but...
Unless somebody had a compelling reason that I should use the compressor from the 93 ex over the 95 aerostar, I will stick with this setup.

 

[runderwo]

I think the only problem you are going to have is that you need to use green o-rings if you are using R-134a (lube with mineral oil). The old hoses should work since the old mineral oil soaked into the hoses from the R-12 system kind of acts like a barrier.