The impossible is very much possible
 

My truck cab was a non-A/C and leaving in phoenix without A/C so I decided to make it a A/C cab
It took me about 6 hours to get it done

Looks great and you can not even tell that dash was changed other than the color

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More pics

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Old dash already out

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No dash

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Firewall pads installed

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Prep new old dash

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Dash installed

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Dash installed 2

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Dash installed 3

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Dash natal led 4

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Very nice job! Are you going to do the fire wall section also? Are you going to do a factory ac system?

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Factory all the way with the exception of the compressor and POA valve
What firewall are you talking about? The factory ac will fit in the original location just need to cut a little were the outside box goes

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Nice work on changing the dash out. Just curious what is the advantage of changing the whole dash out. I just cut the holes for the a/c vents in my original dash took about an hour. Am I missing something? I'm going with vintage air.

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I think he is talking about the differences in the firewall between A/C and non-A/C as shown in the picture below.... Looks like quite a bit of difference to me. Plus the flapper in the cowl vent area, plus the kick panel vent, and under dash and engine compartment wiring looms. Also the core support has to be drilled for the condenser lines. Just so everyone reading this thread knows that retrofitting a factory system is not a walk in the park. Good job on the dash conversion. Another way to do it is to cut across the slotted holes and leave the top part if a person does not want to remove the windshield.

LockDoc

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I would cover up all the firewall AC holes and go Vintage Air (they include the plate). Works so great and the firewall looks better.

Do what you want but I went back to factory AC on my first restro and regretted it.

Either way you can now have the factory vents!

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Good job there.. ive been thjnking about doing this myself. This puts a lil fire under me to get it done!

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I have never done this but would it be easier to cut the dash through the holes that are covered by the dash pad then unbolt the sides. Rather than down by the windshield?

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You may have just rained on his parade...my brother considered this swap years ago.

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Ill try to answe everybody's question and comments in one message

Kennuck the advantage of having original equipment is that it looks original, works great, and you WILL have fresh air option, and also truck resale of course.

LOckDoc. I am aware of the challenge and parts needed for this retro, I have all of them and they will be installed just like factory.
About cutting the dash in the slotted part of the dash?? I think that will be just a short cut and a hack job, I'm doing things right, I don't think I would like to buy a vehicle and then find out it was hacked in parts that I don't see? Ill prefer to spend the extra time and get it done right.

Colgad cutting the slotted parts is the easiest way but if you wanted done right ill prefer to spend the extra time, is the same cutting just in different part of the dash.

Wideside72. Thanks and no worries

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Nice work! I'll be curious as to how you handle the firewall. Also about why not just cut the holes in the old dash.

From what I know now, I'd cut the holes and use Vintage air, but if you can get this all working ala stock you're a master craftsman.

Are you going to do the cowl vent and fresh air/recirc functionality?

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I will cut the right holes and patch what's ot needed on the firewall
The reason of not cutting the dash is because I like things done right and also I really like the look of the orogonal vents.
Yes I will have a 100% original features on the A/C working including the recirculating and fresh air.
All be original and fictional, only part not original is going the be the compressor (original too heavy and too much load for the engine) and the POA valve cause I'm using 134a freon.

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I assume you meant functional and not fictional!

Are you sure about your choice of compressor? Seems almost a shame to do all the really hard work to make it stock and then use a modern compressor.

Sure they're heavy and not that efficient, but it's a small cab, not an Escalade ESV you're trying to cool.

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Yes I ment to write functional, damn autocorrect!!!
I just found this aluminum compressor, is physically the same.
And you have the choice to use 12 or 134 with it

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You also need to upgrade to a parallel flow condensor if you are converting to R 134. The OEM designed for R 12 is not efficient enough and you will not get cold air once you are in 90 degree plus temperatures.

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My '72 would blow 36* air in 100* weather. The only thing I did was adjust the POA valve a smidge for the R134a.