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How to drive a jeep with no a/c in summer?

12K views 64 replies 46 participants last post by  Shaneo7 
#1 ·
Hi i'm a new owner of a 1993 jeep yj 4.0 and I know it's winter right now, but I wanna know how you guys are able to tolerate the heat in the summer. My jeep has no a/c and I live in Arizona so 110 is the average in the summer during the days.. What should I do to be able to drive in this heat? Haha
 
#3 ·
I drive an 1 hour and 15 min one way to work everyday for 16 years.13 of those years without a/c.I live in MD.It is seasonal out here but in the summer it gets plenty hot.The humidity is what kills and there is plenty of it.Been driving the Honda for 10 years.Bought it w/o A/C.Plain jane work vehicle.Guess you get used to it.
 
#6 ·
Usually I take the top and doors off and just use a bikini top from late April til around early September. Drink plenty of fluids and don't wear shirts that need to stay dry while you drive. When I get to work or wherever I'm headed I put my shirt on, so it doesn't get sweaty.
This summer I left my top on, and just took my doors off. It wasn't too bad, I felt like I got just as much air while moving, and I had a lot more shade.
 
#8 ·
Sunscreen, baseball hat, bikini top, and Nice icey bev's are my go-to's. Oh and dont drive in your work clothes. They get sweaty n smell. On the freeway its not bad but the stop -n-go is what gets ya. A cig-lighter fan from Autozone might help cool your sweat down lol. Gotta love the PHX haha
 
#10 ·
If driving with out a bikini top don't wear shorts and defanatly not holey pants (ask me I know). And try not to stop in slow drive threws and if you do try to stop in one with shade
 
#14 ·
ACs are over rated. the only reason i would have liked to have one in my jeep would be to turn it into oba. just take the top and doors off and get a bikini top. i deleted the AC system in my car a long time ago and couldnt be happier
 
#16 ·
Dude, you live in CT.

Try living in AZ, or the sub tropics of Fl and then say that.

I have to laugh at you guys that say you do not need AC, or that you are a wimp with AC. Not one of you live in a area that is extremely hot. A few days a year of hot weather does not count.

AZ weather gets to 120 in the shade. Driving in 110 to 120 heat is worse as the 110 heat is blowing at you, and not cooling you. Try turning your oven to 110 and feel how hot it is. Place a fan in the oven and turn it onto your face. Now tell me you do not need AC

For sub tropics FL weather. Walk into a steam room which is pretty close to our summer weather. Then tell me you do not need AC.
 
#20 ·
I like the addition to this post! It doesn't get 120* here but temps will see 110* with severe rolling blackouts so there isn't any A/C even at home. It's hot! I've spent some considerable time in AZ and that's also hot. Also for some reason every military base in the world (except Ft Lewis) is built with the intent of killing the soldiers with hot and/or humid weather and possibly boredom.

Being hot stinks! Luckily, January is still in its infancy and that bastard Punxsutawny Phil better see lots more winter in his stupid little forecast when that time comes.
 
#42 ·
That is exactly what I did when I had my YJ. I even had an aftermarket a/c system. It was not that great and didn't keep up with southern humidity. I picked up one of those battery powered fans at the drug store (for stop lights). Got some inquisitive looks, I'm assuming they were checking out the Jeep.
 
#48 ·
Agreed. People think it doesn't get AC worthy up here either.
I have one, but it doesn't work. The fan on it helps a bit though.

Windsor gets 90F+ days at least 69 times per summer, and the highest humidity in the country thanks to the Great Lakes, and the most smog days thanks to some friendly factories down river in Detroit.

panaceabeachbum I notice most of the folks who think ac in a jeep is a waste live in the north, you should try Florida summers at 105 and 80 percent humidity for a couple of months.
You're saying its 187*F where you live, for a couple months?
 
#22 ·
I have ac it's great but when it's turned on the gas hand wants to race to the bottom of the tank and kill by already horrible mpg
 
#23 ·
I just put the top down and remove the doors and enjoy it. However the hottest it gets here in summer is around 90*, but it does get quite humid too. I was able to score a new in box aftermarket heat/ac unit on ebay for a little over 300 bucks a couple years ago. Brand new condensor, compressor, universal lines, hoses, under dash unit, etc. I bought it for my muscle car but it would work in a jeep too.
 
#27 ·
Drove my CJ with no AC for 10+ years in Louisiana heat and humidity. Bikini top is a MUST to keep the sun off of your head. Top down all summer, pull the drain plugs when it rains, carry a towel to wipe the sweat occasionally lol
 
#29 ·
I purchased a factory takeout for my CJ on ebay. Paid $200 and it had everything to install. I live in Georgia and it reaches high 90's to low 100's plus humidity. I have only used it a few times because my Jeep is a weekend driver and most of the time the top is off but it is nice to know it is there.
 
#30 ·
HAMRICK1024 said:
I purchased a factory takeout for my CJ on ebay. Paid $200 and it had everything to install. I live in Georgia and it reaches high 90's to low 100's plus humidity. I have only used it a few times because my Jeep is a weekend driver and most of the time the top is off but it is nice to know it is there.
Where'd you find R-12 to put in it? Or was it retrofitted for R-134a? I live in Alabama and would like to have AC eventually but I don't know how feasibly it is to take a old ac system out of a YJ or ch and make it compatible with today's refrigerant requirements.
 
#31 ·
HAMRICK1024 said:
I purchased a factory takeout for my CJ on ebay. Paid $200 and it had everything to install. I live in Georgia and it reaches high 90's to low 100's plus humidity. I have only used it a few times because my Jeep is a weekend driver and most of the time the top is off but it is nice to know it is there.
Where'd you find R-12 to put in it? Or was it retrofitted for R-134a? I live in Alabama and would like to have AC eventually but I don't know how feasibly it is to take a old ac system out of a YJ or cj and make it compatible with today's refrigerant requirements.
 
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