I have a 97 Ram 4x4 and have been told that there are conversion kits that will take it from using the R-12 to the R-134 freon. Does anyone know if it is possible, available, and worth the time and effort? Also, do I have to take it to a mechanic, or can I do it? Thanks.

 

A 1997 Ram should already be a R134A vehicle, right from the factory.

 

If it is not already 134, autozone, or any auto parts store has a conversion kit for like $50.

 

It HAS to be R-134a from the factory, otherwise Dodge violated federal law.

 

What year did they do the switch? I know it was around there, but when.

 

1994ish.

 

yeah that sounds about right.

 

A '97 will already be 134a. The changeover occurred in either '90 or '91; my '93 Caravan is 134a, but my last 5th Ave, an '88, was R12. Not sure of the exact year.

 

The laws established by the Montreal Accord required that all 1995 and newer vehicles be sold with R134a. Some manufacturers did it earlier in conjunction with with the introduction of newly designed models. For example: Some of the BMW models in 1993 were still R12 and some of the newly designated models of the same year were sold with R134a. Sorry, I don't know the exact year that the Dodge trucks changed; but, in any case, your '97 should have been sold with the R134a system.

 

There should be decal around the shrader valve for the air conditoning that indicates what type of freon you have in the system