Any recommendations on what type/style of guages to buy?

 

You don't necessarily need gauges to recharge your system...in fact, manifold gauges may get someone in trouble if they don't know what they're doing. Buying an expensive set of gauges might be kinda counterproductive if you don't work on A/C for a living. Hell, I don't own a set of gauges myself. What is it you are trying to do?

 

Well, in that case, most any manifold set you buy from a parts store will suffice, especially like I said, if this isn't gonna be something you do for a living. Tread very carefully when charging from cans with a manifold gauge set. A manifold gauge set will allow you to charge from the high side if you open the wrong valve at the wrong time...bad things result, blowed up cans, frozen extremities, emergency room trips.

The refrigerant pressures themselves don't really indicate much as far as amount in the system goes, yes, they'll give you a general idea of whether or not the system is low. Pressures are best used as a diagnostic aid.

 

GreenLantern,

Here is a link to a gauge-recharge kit I have used on my truck to fill it with r134a since it came from the factory undercharged. Interdynamics kit. On a newer A/C system if it is low and just needs refridgerant buy the straight r134a without the oil, sealant, and miracle hair-growing additives. The additives will just gunk up the system later on if it has to be evacuated and recharged. Also the additives may honk up the shop's A/C refridgerant recovery recycling machine. Here is a good thread about finding the low pressure side on the '04-'05 F150s if you need it: Low Pressure port. Hope this helps.