How to Retrofit Air Conditioning in a Toyota Tacoma

Bring your truck to a mechanic to recover the R12 refrigerant from the air conditioning system. A license and special equipment are needed to do this. Because R12 refrigerant is expensive, many mechanics will do the job for free.

Locate the Low Pressure Side service port for the air conditioning system. You can find it near the firewall. Remove the blue or black cap marked L. Wipe off the port with a towel. You only need to retrofit the system if you see a screw-type connector valve. If you see a quick connect valve, the system already is R134 compatible.

Clean the connector with a towel. This allows the retrofit connector to adhere to the valve. Put the long retrofit adapter from your retrofit kit onto the port. Screw it on and tighten it with an adjustable wrench.

Look for the High Pressure Side service port along the air conditioning lines that lead away from the compressor. Remove the red cap and wipe off the port.

Wipe off the valve. Put the short retrofit connector onto the valve. Tighten it using an adjustable wrench. Cover the new connector with the cap provided in the retrofit kit.

Fill out the necessary information on the retrofit sticker using a permanent marker. You have to stick this to the inside of the hood where it can be seen easily by anyone who works on your vehicle.

Recharge the air conditioning system. See the related eHow titled "How to Recharge Air Conditioning with Freon in a Toyota Tacoma."