Rear a/c removal

[Dan17ExpLtd]

Has anyone done it? There are several reasons I am looking into it.
1. Never anyone back there so it won't ever be used
2. I've heard it is a common cause of a/c failure
3. Most importantly, it will make for a great place to mount amplifiers!!!

A search didn't turn anything recent up on the subject. Please link me if I missed something.

 

[reserved50]

remove the panels back there and head to an a/c shop and have them drain the system and cap it off. I would disconnect the wiring first and see if any errors occur on your control panel. Make sure you cap any open holes to the outside if you want to keep exhaust gas from entering the vehicle. I guess you have to cap the holes left unless you want to pass out from the fumes.

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

Thanks. I'm hoping there is a way to turn the rear a/c option off in Forscan. Is rear a/c standard in all models of Explorer?

 

[Kikinz24]

You can turn off the rear ac in forscan it really doesn't do much. If you don't turn the switch on it the compressor wont turn on as for removing lines it's alot more work than you would think also . They run the entire length of the vehicle from both the heater core hoses for heat and AC lines up to the compressor. Most PIUS do not have rear ac. Mine didn't I added it with a unit from a 14 xlt. If you are just concerned with it working or not with forscan you can easily turn the rear option off and the lower section becomes blank. Do you have a 8" mft radio or the 4.2" with the physical buttons on the bottom

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

Turning the rear option off is what I was looking for. I would hate having dead controls. Not too worried about exhaust since I would run the power cable through where the a/c lines are going now and will be covering pretty much all of the floor and all of the areas around the wheel wells with sound deadening.

 

[blwnsmoke]

You can turn off the rear ac in forscan it really doesn't do much. If you don't turn the switch on it the compressor wont turn on as for removing lines it's alot more work than you would think also . They run the entire length of the vehicle from both the heater core hoses for heat and AC lines up to the compressor. Most PIUS do not have rear ac. Mine didn't I added it with a unit from a 14 xlt. If you are just concerned with it working or not with forscan you can easily turn the rear option off and the lower section becomes blank. Do you have a 8" mft radio or the 4.2" with the physical buttons on the bottom

If he is just removing them, he can just drain and cut the lines in pieces to remove it easily. Only reason it is so difficult is because you have to install it as 1 piece.

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

You can turn off the rear ac in forscan it really doesn't do much. If you don't turn the switch on it the compressor wont turn on as for removing lines it's alot more work than you would think also . They run the entire length of the vehicle from both the heater core hoses for heat and AC lines up to the compressor. Most PIUS do not have rear ac. Mine didn't I added it with a unit from a 14 xlt. If you are just concerned with it working or not with forscan you can easily turn the rear option off and the lower section becomes blank. Do you have a 8" mft radio or the 4.2" with the physical buttons on the bottom

I have the 8" touchscreen.

 

[Kikinz24]

I would just disable it in forscan turn the rear option off I wouldn't try removing the lines. You have to drop the rear cradle and gas tank to get them out. Plus the way they are plumbed. also if you sell you can revert back to stock. As for mounting an amp and sub the passenger side is where the factory one is to go and there are soft plugs you can move to route the wiring they there

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

I would just disable it in forscan turn the rear option off I wouldn't try removing the lines. You have to drop the rear cradle and gas tank to get them out. Plus the way they are plumbed. also if you sell you can revert back to stock. As for mounting an amp and sub the passenger side is where the factory one is to go and there are soft plugs you can move to route the wiring they there

The filler tube for the gas tank takes up enough room to force me over to the drivers side. I'm not worried about resale so the lines can just be cut and removed in pieces. If I can't get to it in a few places so be it. There will be three (possibly four) amps and two DSPs. The sub is going in the spare tire well.

 

[KayGee]

If you never have anyone in the back, why not just convert to 2 row seating (like PIU/remove 3rd row) and use the entire spare tire wheel and under the load floor for sub with amps and wiring mounted on top, just under the load floor? There should be plenty of room under a custom load floor for the sub and amps/controllers. It would be similar to how the PIU can house a full size spare and a radio tray under the rear load floor.

Keeps the rear air intact, far less work and it's somewhat easily reversible to 3rd row as long as you save the parts and don't get too carried away with the mods.

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

If you never have anyone in the back, why not just convert to 2 row seating (like PIU/remove 3rd row) and use the entire spare tire wheel and under the load floor for sub with amps and wiring mounted on top, just under the load floor? There should be plenty of room under a custom load floor for the sub and amps/controllers. It would be similar to how the PIU can house a full size spare and a radio tray under the rear load floor.

Keeps the rear air intact, far less work and it's somewhat easily reversible to 3rd row as long as you save the parts and don't get too carried away with the mods.

I've already pulled the 3rd row and added the interceptor brace. The entire well and then some will be used for subs plus I'm looking for some under floor storage. I don't mind the extra work as I enjoy this type of thing and I really want the rear air gone because, as I stated above, I have heard it causes problems down the road.

On a side note that interceptor brace made a noticeable difference in handling when compared with the 3rd row seat being in. Really tightened things up in the rear end.

 

[VCFP153]

I've already pulled the 3rd row and added the interceptor brace. The entire well and then some will be used for subs plus I'm looking for some under floor storage. I don't mind the extra work as I enjoy this type of thing and I really want the rear air gone because, as I stated above, I have heard it causes problems down the road.

On a side note that interceptor brace made a noticeable difference in handling when compared with the 3rd row seat being in. Really tightened things up in the rear end.

Sweet Saint Ursula, just how many decibels are you hoping for?

 

[Dan17ExpLtd]

Sweet Saint Ursula, just how many decibels are you hoping for?

It's more about amplifying and eq'ing each speaker for the best possible sound. I don't really listen to it very loud but it should be able to produce decent SPL.

 

[lolford]

You can turn off the rear ac in forscan it really doesn't do much. If you don't turn the switch on it the compressor wont turn on as for removing lines it's alot more work than you would think also . They run the entire length of the vehicle from both the heater core hoses for heat and AC lines up to the compressor. Most PIUS do not have rear ac. Mine didn't I added it with a unit from a 14 xlt. If you are just concerned with it working or not with forscan you can easily turn the rear option off and the lower section becomes blank. Do you have a 8" mft radio or the 4.2" with the physical buttons on the bottom

How hard was adding the rear lines and equipment?

 

[peterk9]

How hard was adding the rear lines and equipment?

FYI, the member you quoted was last seen here on July 13, 2022.

Peter