Dealer Installed A/C

[PadreFreddie]

It took me a while to find a V-6, two door, manual with no A/C. Living in Vero Beach, FL, affords me the chance to have the doors off all the time so I never saw the need for A/C. Then again, I work overseas and I'm only at home three times a year for just a month each time. I say all this to say that some people want a Wrangler in its basic form. IMO is not worth the effort, money or time, chancing the dealer doing a half ass job since adding A/C to a Wrangler it's probably the one thing that the average Jeep tech doesn't do often.

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[Riderkjo]

Why would you buy a vehicle without air conditioning if you live in Houston? I’m asking seriously. I did that in 1991 because it was a super stripped down car and I was dirt poor at the time. They agreed to do dealer installed AC for $500 and I had problems with it the entire time I owned that car.

My wife picked it out because it was the cheapest Wrangler on the lot, without noticing that it doesn't have AC. It was worked into the sale because they couldn't stand to look at us by the second day of negotiating. The vehicle has vents/blower, all of the controls and heat, but there's no dryer/conditioned air.

 

[DaltonGang]

I made a deal with the stealership a few weeks ago and purchased an '18 JL Sport, manual transmission and power nothing. The vehicle didn't come with A/C, so we managed to work it into the sale because we need it 11 months of the year in SE Texas. After 'waiting my turn' to drop it off and going back and forth about parts availability, the dealer told me to bring it in and the mechanic should have everything taken care of in 7-10 days (there was an issue with the rear defroster connector being broken).
Does it really take 7-10 days to solder a connector and install a compressor/Freon? The dealer has had the vehicle for 6 business days already and It's been a hassle to get any straight answers from the salesman, "managers", and parts department...

Bayway Chrysler in Pasadena. There aren't many that don't already have AC.

This is the dealership I bought mine at. They are a very nice and easy dealership to deal with.
But, ordering a vehicle, in Houston, without A/C is crazy. I'm glad they are installing it. Buuuut, hopefully you wont have mechanical issues, or warranty issues in the future.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I'm surprised they took on a dealer installation of A/C. The number of parts, just under the dash, that are different is not insignificant. If they are doing it, Jeep must have a retrofit kit for dealers. I can't imagine they would do it one part at a time. Looking at the separate parts retail prices, it would cost eleventy million dollars.

 

[brazos]

I’m curious how a Houston dealership ended up with ANY new vehicle without A/C on the lot. Gotta be a story behind that.

 

[Riderkjo]

One of the managers told me that I had to 'wait in line' because the AC specialist already had another AC install in progress, so I'm not the only dummy there. It seems like everybody but the salesman introduces themselves as some type of manager... Just an observation.

 

[D60]

It took me a while to find a V-6, two door, manual with no A/C. Living in Vero Beach, FL, affords me the chance to have the doors off all the time so I never saw the need for A/C. Then again, I work overseas and I'm only at home three times a year for just a month each time. I say all this to say that some people want a Wrangler in its basic form. IMO is not worth the effort, money or time, chancing the dealer doing a half ass job since adding A/C to a Wrangler it's probably the one thing that the average Jeep tech doesn't do often.

Does it use a different belt or is there just an idler where the compressor should be? Now, if you could find a way to get a York in that spot.....THAT would be beyond cool!

 

[Riderkjo]

Does it use a different belt or is there just an idler where the compressor should be? Now, if you could find a way to get a York in that spot.....THAT would be beyond cool!

The salesman told me that there's an idler in place of the compressor until it's installed, but he couldn't tell me what the little dial to the left of the interior light dimmer does. At least he was able to connect the wife's phone to Bluetooth.

 

[cbrenthus]

Didn't even realize you could get a new Wrangler without A/C - but I only priced Unlimited and not 2 doors. Looks like the 2 door base sport doesn't have A/C, and its a $1295 option. However, the 4 door includes it (must be part of the $3500 upcharge). I do think its nice that Jeep offers an old school option with no A/C and not power anything for people that want one!

 

[JeepCares]

I made a deal with the stealership a few weeks ago and purchased an '18 JL Sport, manual transmission and power nothing. The vehicle didn't come with A/C, so we managed to work it into the sale because we need it 11 months of the year in SE Texas. After 'waiting my turn' to drop it off and going back and forth about parts availability, the dealer told me to bring it in and the mechanic should have everything taken care of in 7-10 days (there was an issue with the rear defroster connector being broken).
Does it really take 7-10 days to solder a connector and install a compressor/Freon? The dealer has had the vehicle for 6 business days already and It's been a hassle to get any straight answers from the salesman, "managers", and parts department...

Hi Riderkjo,
If you need any additional assistance while your JL is at the dealership, please send our team a private message and we would be happy to look into this for you!
Alex
Jeep Social Care Specialist

 

[flot]

I installed factory A/C in a YJ once, it was about a weekend "advanced" DIY job but was less involved than you might imagine since all of the wiring harnesses were in place and the computer saw the new sensors as they were plugged in. (Even included a brand new AC unit faceplate with the "snowflake" button) I suspect a JL would be somewhat more complex on the electronics side (probably require a computer update for missing options) but the basic parts are the same. New serpentine belt, possibly a new idler pulley, refrigerant lines, hang the compressor and then condenser in front of the radiator and of course dropping the dash and installing an evaporator core and blend door in the airbox.

It IS the kind of thing any good tech could do - however, it'll definitely accelerate the squeeks and rattles that come with taking all sorts of things apart.

I wouldn't worry about the long term viability too much, but would wonder if you'll have any warranty coverage of the A/C down the road (you might, as a dealer installed option) and would keep an eye on it.

I had the local Pep Boy's evac and charge the system for me, IIRC they made me pay in advance because they swore there was no way it was ever going to work, and the tech came out to meet me when I picked it up, he was so surprised it blew cold air.

 

[Riderkjo]

Since somebody requested updates, here you go.
I contacted the dealer for an update on my vehicle and they told me that they're still waiting on parts. When I dropped off my vehicle on 5/4, I was told that the parts are in stock and I should have it back by Friday, 5/17. So, it looks like their loaner car is going to have a lot of miles.

 

[JimLee]

So, it looks like their loaner car is going to have a lot of miles.

Drive it like you stole it.

 

[fat_head]

I didn't know you could buy a car, any car, without AC anymore. Figured it would be about as optional as spark plugs these days.

 

[noloc45]

You can get a Wrangler, or any car, without AC? What configuration is that on the site? Thats sucky but still interesting.

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