i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Interested in your opinions out there - and we've discussed some of the options for a/c install before - but my question is geared primarily toward the interior set up.

While I like "stock" or at least stock-looking a/c vent and knob set-ups, when I look at the stock 66 chev set-up, it does kinda protrude out into the interior a bit - so I asked my self (I said, "self...") do I really like the stock look just because in the back of my mind I know it's stock? I kinda said yes.

In other words, I've seen a few folks do custom set-ups for their dash louvers, etc.

I'll probably be buying a vintage air or old air set-up for the working parts, but when it comes to how the interior will look, I essentially have these options for the interior:

1. Use the plastic louvers in the kit
2. hook the new system to the stock a/c vents (when I find some - there are some on ebay right now, by the way)
3. install a custom looking (yet-stock appearing) setup.

I'm kinda leaning toward #3, but the idea of cutting any "new" holes in my dash makes me cringe...

While I know the basic answer is "it's your truck, do what you want!" - I am interested in your thoughts since you all know and appreciate these trucks much more than the average joe that happens to be in my passenger seat.

This first picture is what I'm thinking of doing - the 2.5" outer louvers are only $14.95 and could easily be plumbed from a stock kit with a little extra piping. To me, it preserves the clean look of the original non-a/c dash (i.e. I'm starting to think that the factory a/c dash is a bit cluttered in the center - maybe just my imagination, but I like my current, clean dash with minimal switches, etc....)

The next 2 pics are of the stock set-up and the final is a typical kit set-up.

I saw an interesting thread on here about "hideaway" vents that rotated out of the way, and that would be a consideration, but I'm not sure I want to do that either. Anyhoo, thanks in advance for your 2 cents!

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

If so they are very well hidden.

I think a combo of the top two pictures would be cool. Both of them being 3 spoke design works for me. I like stuff that people have to question themselves, "Is that stock ? Looks stock".

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

where in the desert are you moving to?

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Does anyone know where I can get some vents like the first pic in this thread?

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Here ya go guys, I know several people that used used the smaller rectangle units vertically they seem to fit the truck better, but its all your own opinion.

http://www.yogisinc.com/index.cfm/pa...at/cat2504.htm

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

The set-up in the first picture you posted is no doubt the cleanist.. very nice.

The stock center vent just doesn't flow (no pun intended) with the flat dash design of the 64-66.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Thats my opinion as well......

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Thanks for all the great input - I tend to agree with your all's thoughts, including the center vent in the first pic not being "quite right".

Slow Build, interesting idea about using a combo, you're right, they do look like similar vents (i.e. the outer custom ones with the factory center ones). I double-checked on the set-up on ebay, it had 5 days left as of yesterday, and now this morning I see it has ended. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWAX:IT I guess the guy sold it outright. So much for that idea, I was gonna bid on it too!

Blown240, I'm moving to Ridgecrest in a few months, you nearby?

Darkhorse, here's a link to the vents in the first pic: http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/ac/dash-vents-77.php (Rich 5150 posted a different link to Yogi's above also - thanks Rich - and good point about vertical vents, that gives me something else to think about!)

Lakeroadster, like I mentioned above, I agree with you and Rich 5150 about that center vent - I was tossin around the idea of rigging up a horizontal vent that would be exposed when I open the ash tray... but that's still in the "hmmmm..." stages for now.

Another option is a hybrid - something like mounting below dash but putting it in a minimal sheetmetal enclosure so it looks "semi-stock". I have seen other members on here build very nice enclosures - but for my personal taste, I wouldn't want to add metal all the way across the bottom of the dash - but it does give me some more ideas. Would be nice to preserve the dash as is.



Thanks all!

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

How about a recessed or flush mount vent in the stock ash tray opening. Then use velcro to attach the ash tray door at shows or events.

Do you really need to cut any opening in the dash? Wouldn't under dash concealed vents and the stock defrost vents be good enough?

I am a windows down fresh air guy though... but then again it never really gets all that hot up here.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Lakeroadster - yep, I'm starting to think the ash tray might be a good idea. And like you, I'd really rather not install a/c at all (I don't like what it does to the engine compartment either...) but the place I'm moving is hot. Like Africa hot. In Jul-Sep, it's miserable to drive a car WITH a/c, let alone without. I've lived there a few times before, so I know what I'm in for. So, not installing a/c would be me #1 choice - but circumstances may dictate the need. On the other hand, I know I'm only gonna be there about 3 years, and the next place I move to won't be the desert, so maybe, mabye I should just leave the window rolled down and breath in the 115 deg air and enjoy it for 3 years and then when I move again I won't be doing it with holes in my dash or $1K in a/c installed for nothing if I move north! (Lord knows I could spend that $1K elsewhere. On the truck of course, but elsewhere - disk brakes, etc etc)

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Maybe buy an inverter, install an ice machine in the bed and duct that cold air in through the removed back window?

Just kidding....

I agree with adding it if the temp's are going to be that hot!

So you got a day job going on down there in the heat for a fixed period of time? Where you headed, Phoenix?

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I`m like you Jocko, I resisted the tempt for air, I have other areas it would be better spent.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

HA! You might be onto something there with the ice in the back of the truck.... On my way to china lake, ca - only reason I know it'll be for 3 years is because it's mil orders. Seems like an eternity because most of my recent stints have been 12-18 months in once place, so looking fwd to being "semi-settled" for a few years. After that, who knows! That's why maybe I'd be better off holding off on the a/c til I move to a 'final' spot - if I eventually settle in North Dakota, I might feel like I wasted my $ on a/c!

I've lived there before though (china lake, that is), and had a 65 impala ss (with original a/c that didn't work) and i seem to recall it was pretty miserable (the heat, that is) - enough so that you never saw many of the old car nuts, including myself, out on the road in the dead of summer unless they had an a/c kit in their cars. And I don't want to sweat out my nice seat cover, if ya know what I mean.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

It's got to be phoenix or vegas. Either way let us know what you figure out and how the unit works. I'm about to buy one myself.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Yep. Along with the potential for interior mods (but I think I have some ideas for workarounds from the discussions above), I'm also concerned about "modernizing" the engine compartment. While there are ways to hide some of the stuff, I can't really hide the compressor... I've got an old offy dual quad intake with dual wcfbs that I'm rebuilding and gonna install on the 283 in my truck this summer hopefully. When it's all said and done, it should look like I swapped in a few year earlier vette engine in the truck (or at least that's the plan). And a fat little sanden a/c compressor just won't look quite right hangin there next to a purdy little glass bowl fuel filter if you know what I mean!

But who knows. If it's too hot to drive it in the summer, I've kinda defeated the whole purpose - i.e. to drive it!

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I live in OC, but I work in Blythe, Salton City, La Quinta, and Indio.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Maybe get one of those Nascar cool suits? Just not the Jeff Gordon one... :lol:

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Jocko, I bought my 2.5inch vents from nostalgicairparts.com 14.99 Im going to fab in two into the ash tray area and then 1 on each side of the dash

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Now that's a good idea!! Ha - I'm only in Lemoore for a few months, I just moved out from 18 months Maryland, DC for 12 months before that, so THERE'S a temp comparison I'd like to see! Maybe I'll just drive naked. That should also keep me from getting any tickets, if I get pulled over...

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by jocko (Post 4497361) ..... Maybe I'll just drive naked...

:eek: Uhmm if you're worried about getting sweat on your seat you might want to rethink that driving naked idea...:jdp:

:haha:

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

thanks towersddg9 - that is a good idea - that would look like the outer panels on the very fist pic I posted, but make for a much nicer - and somewhat stock looking - center set of vents. GREAT idea. The 2.5 round vents kinda emulate the big center factory balls, so it will look nice in the center of the dash. I am interested to see how it turns out for you. I thought Nostalgia Air had a nice selection of vent options, etc - posted above. They have a lot of cool stuff. Is the last picture you posted just of what you've done to the firewall? Is that little circular hole in the top of the dash just your defrost vent I assume? (my truck's in storage right now for a few more weeks, so I can't go look at it to answer my own question...)

The wheels are a turnin... what about a diverter valve in the piping to the defrost vents that let one run a/c when desired and defrost when desired!? Probably wouldn't cool the interior down very quickly since it wouldn't be blowin me in the face. Maybe I need to just reconsider Lakeroadster's ice in the bed approach...

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Good point. Scratch that idea.... so to speak.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Just happened to run across this thought I would share it...
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...ht_5077wt_1167

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

HMM. Exact same price they ask for on their website. Guess they are just advedrtising on ebay also. Nothin wrong with that!
http://www.classicautoair.com/64_66_..._Chevy_AC.html

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I like the combo of the three spoke side vents and the stock ac vent in the middle. I am interested to see how towersddg9's setup comes out though. I have never really seen the need for an ashtray in any of my vehicles... they end up just getting stuffed with straw wrappers. I personally love the look of the stock ac vent and knew the first time I saw one it had to be on my truck! I can see others point how it doesn't "flow" but it looked so damn cool I didn't care haha! Good luck and I hope to see some cool progress as I will be faced with this same decision in the future. :thumbs:

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

On second thought... this might be just what you need! No cutting the dash and it would be removable just in case you move back to cooler climates!
http://billdietrich.byethost8.com/CarAC.jpg

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Vintage air has control knobs that look like the factory air knobs. I'll be using their knobs, their evaporator, and the factory center vents.
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Anyone have an idea what the original removable dash vent is worth?

thanks !

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

there was one listed on ebay last week for $50 (for the vent, the air box behind it and the control levers). That was a steal in my book, but it got pulled from ebay with 4 days+ remaining, so I never got the chance to bid. I am guessing someone made an offer he couldn't refuse. Note $50 was the starting bid - no idea what it would have gone up to - I believe the vents are normally worth anywhere from $50 up to several hundred $. But I've been looking for some time with no luck, so will probably have to do the a/c mod with below dash vents (if I choose to not hack my dash) and then upgrade later if I ever happen to stumble onto the factory a/c vent for sale.

Tfish - for some reason I can't see the picture you are posting - but I'm assuming it's the vintage air under-dash old-school looking unit?? Or something like it. If so, I do like those, but then I saw one installed in a 64-66 cab and noted just how far they stick out into the pax compartment and decided i didn't want to go that route - just personal pref. But they do have a nice old school mid-60's look to them. Anyhoo, the search continues! Thanks for all the posts gents, great info and great questions. And I think we spawned a few more threads on the subj in the process. I'm still mulling the hidden a/c vent behind a dummy ash tray door, I kinda like that suggestion!!!

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I had a guy locally offer me $40 for this piece, haven't gotten back to him yet. Its not perfect. Has some holes by the bow tie. Is that a good price based on its condition? thanks for the help. Its been sitting in a box forever that I was gonna use for wall art in my shop, just thought it looked cool, thats why I didn't trash it when I ripped my truck apart. :)

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

can you tell if it is aluminum or is it some kind of pot metal? I may be interested in it, could I get some more pics please?

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I paid $120 for mine on eBay, a little more than I wanted to pay but it is in near mint condition. They are hard to find especially on eBay since you have to try and figure out the keywords the seller may have used. Best suggestion is to keep looking religiously and try searching under any and all variations (c-10, c10, 64, 1964, chevy, Chevrolet, etc), that's how I found mine.

Jocko, I'll have to try posting it again... Not the underdash kit but something a few will get a good laugh out of!
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

It's all plastic including the side vents, the center vent is the only metal part aside from back mounting screws
Posted via Mobile Device

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

side note: make sure your radiator is in excellent shape; I spent 4 years down the road from there in Victorville and every old Chevy I owned went to the radiator shop at some point

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Fixed the picture... :lol:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/gallery/data/1249/CarAC.jpg

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

AH! Thanks. My bad, that's NOT the vintage air unit I was talkin about....

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Yeah I know the unit you're talking about and am not a fan either. They are way too bulky and protrude into the cabin area. I'm sure those were cool back in the day as an add-on option but with today technology and tons of aftermarket products for our vehicles there's no reason to settle for something like that.

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

That one is a classic!!

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

Hey Jocko, saw this on Ebay today and thought about your quest for in-cab coolness. :lol:

Prett slick. You could do this and allow the dash to remain factory stock, yet still get the job done for air. I personally think the extension to the dash makes it look better by giving it more vertical height.

Here's the link to Ebay... nice truck, dig that new billet "retro look" steering wheel too. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...18#post4517718

Re: i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question
 

I went through last summer in the Imperial Valley fairly well without a/c in my truck. Given the option of driving my truck without a/c or riding my motorcycle, the truck was way more comfortable. We had temps that averaged about 115. I would have liked to have had a/c last summer and I'm not relishing the thought of this upcoming summer, but it's livable. A cloth seat cover is a must as well a blind for the windshield (the steering wheel gets extremely hot!).

Long sleeves and keeping hydrated really helped alot too!