I have commercial grade gauges and a vacuum pump that I have from my career.
Just get a used set from a retiree on Craigslist. As far as the gas goes, I buy the 30 lb jugs since I have a license. I use adapters from my standard gauges to the automotive style. Maybe the retiree has them for sale, too. And maybe he will take you to the supply house and let you pay for a jug of freeze gas. When it comes to recovering the old gas, well since they invented 134a to be environmentally friendly, I recover it naturally and organically.

 

I agree with Mike professional grade is the way to go if you do this kinda work often.

I've got the cheap China gauges and vacuum pump from Amazon. It's worked great so far using it on my truck once with the 4.3L and once with the 6.0L and once on a friends vehicle. The small R-134a cans have changed to self sealing cans that eliminate freon from leaking after the tap is removed. The older can taps make it hard to get the freon out of the redesigned cans and into the system. Be sure to get the new style tap to avoid this issue. I swapped to the FJC 6029 tap for the self sealing cans.

 

Thanks for the info, which one did you go with?

 

My guess is most of the china kits with the pump and manifold sets are about the same.

I bought with an old account from Amazon that I can't access anymore to link. I pulled the A/C stuff off the shelf to get the part numbers. Then thought since I'm the forum pic ***** why not post a few photos lol

Gauge Set





Vacuum Pump (be sure to order a bottle of pump oil because the supplied oil is only good for a few uses because of the moisture it draws out of the system. I bought a quart of Robinair 13203.

Pump is now part number FJC 6909






R-134a tap for self sealing freon cans

 

You can rent the vacumm pump and gauges from Orielly's auto part for free. I did this two years ago when I had to replace my AC condensor. They are known for cracking on these newer trucks. I watched a youtube video on how to fill it and did it my self.

 

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...p+rental&pos=0

https://www.oreillyauto.com/detail/c...p+rental&pos=8

 

The first time sure. I have an venturi style vacuum pump from Harbor Freight and mid tier gauge set from Amazon. With five cars in my family Fleet, I use them a lot. Worth having your own.

 

I don't disagree with you. If I had to do it all the time I would have one too. I can't stand paying that much for a job that's really not that hard.