Gang - wonder if others have the same issue. I've owned several pre 98 F150's both I6 and 302 versions, both manual and auto transmission, 2 and 4wd.
They all seem to have the same issue. When you turn on the AC and the compressor kicks in, it seems like you loose a wad of horsepower. I've actually
turned off the AC to get the power back for a pass or merge operation, or so the cruise control could make the next hill. Can't really use 5th gear in hilly country
and AC on at the same time.
I've had other vehicles and not experienced so much AC load. I've had a couple Nissan cars, 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder, AC works well, and hardly notice compressor load when it's on.

Did Ford just use an inefficient compressor? Maybe the pulley is sized poorly?

 

The older AC compressors are not as efficient as the newer ones and require more hp to turn them. Some vehicles will turn off the compressors at full throttle for this reason. Check the wiring on yours to see if this is supposed to happen.

 

Sounds like more at work there than just the A/C. My 96 XL 4.9 doesn't seem to be affected by the A/C being on, and I live in hilly country. I also don't remember any of those problems with the 85 5.0 that I bought new.

 

My 91 Bronco EB 5.0 will almost fall on its face when the compressor kicks on. Mine has been converted to the newer refrigerant and the entire system changed out. After replacing everything, it was the same story power wise. Seems to me the guy that did the AC change over told me it takes 10HP away from the engine. When you only have a factory rating of only 150 HP to begin with, 10 HP is a bunch. I've gotten accustomed to it and use the OD lockout a lot on the Texas Hillcountry hiways. I still get decent gas mileage as long as 60 mph is max. The flying brick was designed for a max speed limit of the day of 55 mph. If I live long enough, I see a 7.4 (460) sitting where that puny POS 5.0 engine now sits. Bet it won't kill the power then.

 

Mine still has the original style compressor I think. Rather than convert it at great expense, or get it refilled with unobtainium, I got wind of some propane stuff that's available.
I filled it up with that and it cools just fine, pressures correct and everything. http://www.duracool.com/Duracool/refrigerants.html

 

A 95 should use R134a which is available at wally world for about $5/can.

 

If you read the MSDS sheet you learn the duracool is flamabile. It would be wise to put some caution flamabile stickers near the H And L referigant ports. As well as leak test to be 100% sure there are no leaks in the system. A single ark from a bad plug wire makes a great ignition source.
I in no way think I know it all but do have class 1-2-3 CFC and HVAC TECH Lincences .

 

A good cleaning of the condenser ( in front of the radiator), and making sure the fan clutch and shroud are in good condition may help. The more the condenser cools the referigant the easier the compressors job is.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll put that on my to do list. About the refrigerant, the system has maybe a couple pounds? A gallon of octane weighs 6 pounds? My gas tank holds 14 gallons.
So, in my humble opinion, the additional risk of flammable refrigerant is trivial. I suspect the concerns are intentionally overblown by Dupont and their lobbyists. It is my understanding that the rest of the world uses this stuff, but it is illegal in the US for a licensed HVAC guy to put it in a system. Since I'm not licensed, and it's in my own vehicle, I'll assume the trivial risk.