Swapping A/C from a 2003 into a 1999 TJ

[Bammo68]

Bit of a different one here. Mate has a 2003 TJ factory fitted with air that has a failed compressor - something seized in it and stopped him getting home. He has lost all faith in the A/C and directed his mechanic to remove the entire A/C system. He's now done that and has removed all the components, including the heater core in the dash - his mechanic said the plumbing for the A/C and the heater is combined so he pulled it all out.

Meanwhile, I have a 99 with no A/C so a swap is on the cards. So my questions to the brains trust are these:

1) Will the interior components of the 2003 and 1999 systems swap 1:1? By interior, I mean the heater core, control panel and anything else that sits behind/in the dash.

2) Given I have to have the compressor replaced/rebuilt any recommendations on brand

3) I know the '99 A/C is a bit different to the '03 and I am expecting to need to source new or modify some brackets etc but its a hell of lot easier and cheaper to do that than to order an entire new kit. Anyone got any personal experience with shoehorning a later model A/C into an earlier model TJ engine bay?

 

[mrblaine]

Bit of a different one here. Mate has a 2003 TJ factory fitted with air that has a failed compressor - something seized in it and stopped him getting home. He has lost all faith in the A/C and directed his mechanic to remove the entire A/C system. He's now done that and has removed all the components, including the heater core in the dash - his mechanic said the plumbing for the A/C and the heater is combined so he pulled it all out.

Meanwhile, I have a 99 with no A/C so a swap is on the cards. So my questions to the brains trust are these:

1) Will the interior components of the 2003 and 1999 systems swap 1:1? By interior, I mean the heater core, control panel and anything else that sits behind/in the dash.

2) Given I have to have the compressor replaced/rebuilt any recommendations on brand

3) I know the '99 A/C is a bit different to the '03 and I am expecting to need to source new or modify some brackets etc but its a hell of lot easier and cheaper to do that than to order an entire new kit. Anyone got any personal experience with shoehorning a later model A/C into an earlier model TJ engine bay?

I'll have to dig into it some but I believe that there is only a few possible interchangeable parts. The condenser, maybe the dryer, and that's about it.
The HVAC box should bolt up to the firewall though.

The reason is the 99 AC compressor is on the right side of the motor up high, the 03 is on the left side down low.

Rock Auto should help some. Look up the various components in either one and then click on the blue part number which brings up a buyer's guide which lists what other years are compatible.

 

[Irun]

Take a look here. These folks know Jeep A/C systems and have been very helpful during several installs and refreshes I've done. The only thing I remember looking similar between a 1999 and 2003 was the accumulator/drier, but they list those as 97-98, 99-02, and 03-06. Everything else I remember was different. Compressor, hard lines, soft lines, condenser etc.

https://jeepair.com/
FWIW, I've installed two of their systems into friends Jeeps that were no A/C. The systems were very good and the service and support excellent.

 

[Bammo68]

Thanks guys, I was going to order a new kit straight up from Jeepair but a) they dont have the 99 kits in stock and b) freight to Aus is eye watering. I might pass on this swap, if it was just a bracket or two it would have been OK but it sounds like a lot more work than that.