How to: Add Dual Zone ATC to a Tradesman

[STecoD]

I have had single zone ATC for my truck for awhile and wanted to look into doing the mod of converting it over to dual zone ATC. I was looking at the difference in the wiring and the parts to get it done. While the parts aren't that much, the work involved is pretty fun. I would like to thank @Ricks Ram for the help tearing my truck apart and putting it all back together and @Mpgrimm2 for helping with sending me a harness.

The first thing to do is get the freon recovered and then remove the dash of the truck. A side note before you do this on a Crew cab, the vents that are under the carpet should be disconnected before pulling the dash. Else you will not be able to disconnect them with the dash laying over them. A great video series on this is


You have to unplug all the wiring like is said in the videos.


Unbolt the 6 bolts on either side of the dash.

Unbolt the 2 bolts at the front of the dash.

Unplug the battery, obd2 port, hood release, footwell light, parking brake release, both large connectors, and the brake sensor and unbolt the steering column by removing the 4 nuts and then remove the two bolts under the steering wheel. The dash will now pull forward by lifting it up slightly.


You have to remove the freon lines and the heater hoses to get the box out. Unbolt the box to make it easier to get the heater hoses released.

Once you have the old box out with the fan, now would be a good time to install a cabin air filter, you need to pull the wiring off the old box and install on the new plenum box( you can also clean the condenser if it's dirty). You have to add one wire to pin 6 of the grey plug and then tap into the DB/PK wire that goes to pin 12 on the grey plug to make the connections for the new blend motor.


Reinstall the box and the dash.

You will now have to pin the HVAC module plug in pin 3 to pin 6 of the grey plug. Get the A/C recharged. Use Alfa to set to Dual zone ATC. Enjoy playing with it.


Parts I used.
1- HVAC plenum box 68214902AB eBay
1- Blend motor 68089742AA eBay used
1- Blend door connectors 571-1456985-3
2- Blend door pins 571-1393366-1
1- HVAC-Plug pins 571-1123343-1
1/1- Grey plug pins (I32A) 7114-4112-02 and 7116-4112-02

 

[ps2012st]

Wow..that was some monumental undertaking for dual zone A/C. Congrats on your hard work and for documenting here.

 

[mjf6175]

Holy ****........talk about diving right into the deep end of the pool......MAJOR PROPS to you. I would never be able do this to my Ram, my severe case of OCD just would not allow this. I would have to be de-fibrillated half way through this. In fact I almost went there just looking at your pics. CONGRATS on the mod once again...........

 

[Ricks Ram]

Nice write up! A quick note we are doing my Quad Cab next. I already ordered the Dual Zone plenum box for my truck. The part number for my 2014 Quad Cab is. 68048891AF. The plenum box is really not that expensive. I ordered mine from Benny at Allmoparoarts.com and is was under $150. The biggest part of doing the job is taking the truck in to have the freon evacuated from the system so you can take the box out and then refilling it when you are done. Pulling the dash wasn't as hard as one might think. Looking forward to doing mine next.


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[Ghost_RAM]

No, no, no...No. I will not be following you in doing this on mine. Lol

Great write-up StecoD! You guys always do amazing work

 

[Ricks Ram]

Lol! I said the same thing when STecoD hit me up about doing his. The guy has no fear he just goes for it....... I was like of course I'll help you do yours but I'm not doing mine......next thing you know we got his done and I ordered the box for mine! It looks hard but honestly it's not that bad. Besides paying to have your freon evacuated and then refilled it's really not that expensive. It's probably a total of a $175 for the blend door motor, plenum box and the wiring needed. It's a lot cheaper than a lot of mods we actually do just a little bit more involved. Also it works perfectly. We were fortunate because my son-in-law works at a fleet dealership. He evacuated the system for us and then refilled it for no charge because there was no freon used. He just put the freon back in that he took out.

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[Ghost_RAM]

Ok, fine. Just let me know when you two are going to be here and I'll make sure to order the parts.

I am seriously considering this but I have a few other items on the list that need taken care of first. There is one thing I can say is there is nothing that can't be done to our Rams now. At least I can't think of anything.


Edit: Linked to Alfa OP

 

[STecoD]

Holy ****........talk about diving right into the deep end of the pool......MAJOR PROPS to you. I would never be able do this to my Ram, my severe case of OCD just would not allow this. I would have to be de-fibrillated half way through this. In fact I almost went there just looking at your pics. CONGRATS on the mod once again...........

It’s not too bad. Had it evacuated and had the box swapped and still made it to work the same day. Have to keep the daily driver going. Problem I ran into was when I wanted to get it recharged I ran into scheduling issues. Got a little toasty.


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[Remen]

Outstanding! I just finished the single ATC modification using Mpgrimm2’s harnesses and couldn’t be happier. Now I know this upgrade is possible and would bring even more smiles to my face. I’ll need to get started before the heat rises in the Central Valley.

 

[Ricks Ram]

I just got my HVAC box. STecoD and I will be doing mine soon. Total price with shipping $147. It's a pretty big job but definitely doable and not very expensive.

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