I have a 1998 F-150 and would like to know if the truck is set up for air conditioning. In my HVAC control panel I dont have an A/C option on the dials, but it appears there are components in the engine compartment that go to an A/C system. There is a small evaporator or condensor coil set right in front of the radiator on the drivers side. Is this part of the A/C? My truck was purchased used with a 4.6L V8. Its a base model. Did they set-up for A/C on all models?

 

That small coil in front of your radiator is the cooler for your power steering fluid. All trucks have this.

The component of the a/c that's in front of the radiator is called a condensor (or is it condenser?) and it covers the whole front of the radiator. Its function is to turn hot high pressure refrigerant gas from the a/c compressor into a cool liquid at the capillary end of the unit. This liquid then goes to the evaporator coil inside the truck where it turns from a liquid to a gas when it absorbs the heat from inside the truck. This gas then goes to the compressor where it is compressed into a hot gas and the cycle starts all over again.

I'm sure the wiring harness is already there for the a/c system, but I don't think any of the refrigerant related parts are there.

 

Since you believe only wire harnesses are present for A/C hook-up, what would a ball-park figure be for adding A/C to the truck. Would it be a PITA since its a truck and placement of components or would it be just as the same as a car?

 

I have no idea how much you'd be talking about. I'm guessing a call to your local Ford dealer is a good place to start calling for a price quote.

I'm only guessing about the wiring harness since our trucks always seem to have wiring for options that aren't installed.