Aftermarket AC Input
 

Been looking at AC systems for the truck, considering Vintage Air, Old Air and Restomod Air.

Looking for input regarding their installation and part selection. Looking at past threads, some mention a different condenser for one vendor while other input has been AC works great but Heat suffers.

If anyone has any input regarding their use and part selection, it would be appreciated.

Looking to 'oversize' a unit that will fit to provide cold AC but also heats the cab rather quickly. Using a 5.3l Vortec engine and Entropy radiator.

Thanks

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Vintage AC is the way to go, I have it in several vehicles and am very happy with it.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

I have Old Air Products, they are ok, I have had it for about 14 years and it works fine. VA is the way to go now.

I live about 5 miles from OAP by the way...

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Why do you say VA is the only way to go now? I was "thinking" about going with an Old Air unit as I like their slide control panel used in the dash in the stock area.

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I just put an Old Air system in my truck, with some modifications. The one thing I did not like about the Old Air system was the lack of floor heat. I simply took the stock floor/defrost splitter box and welded in a round tube (piece of custom bent exhaust pipe) which fits into the Old Air defrost outlet. So now just like stock I have a lever down by the floor the selects defrost-floor heat-or blend. I also put the ac vents in the dash instead of under it.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

For those that used the Vintage Air units, were there any issues with mounting the condenser?

I like the Restomod controls they offer but am unsure if they are interchangeable with other vendors... waiting for a return call to find out.

Thanks for the input so far, anyone else have an opinion?

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Just had this "Maxi II" installed in my 66 with '96 vortec and carb. It is overkill in both heat and cool, floor and mid dash, and defrost--electronic controls allow for perfect blend of floor, mid-dash, and defrost mix: when perfect, turn blower switch to max left to lock the setting. Owner of company[SOUTHERN RODS, GREER, S.C.] has a co.-truck, a '66 rat rod, with one installed in his truck, so I was able to test the performance before buying.

My installer says he has installed VA'S, which he praised also; has now installed 2 Maxi-II's and he says this Maxi-II installs just as well and he loves the electronic mix of def., floor, and mid-dash offered by Maxi-II. Says price favors the Maxi-II, also.

Telephone help/advice/suggestions is above average too. They know their stuff!

Hope you enjoy your selection.
Sam

>> Part No. I used: 090-00597K <<

>> http://www.southernrods.com/a-c-and-...ern-air-1.html <<

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

I did the vintage air route in my 61. The system is straightforward and the installation can be done as a two or three day project. Documentation was good and the whole thing went in without too many major issues...

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

while we are talking about the different AC's....Sounds like the VA's, OAP's, and the Maxi II's all work well in pickups. But has anyone installed these in a Burb/Panel. Do they have the power to keep the driver cool with more volume to cool? I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have to put in a rear AC to keep the entire panel cool but I'm wondering if these units can keep me comfortable driving by themselves.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

On those Maxi II it obviously replaced the original heater entirely? And I already have an 87 350 with factory AC compressor on it, any suggestions on a kit that I don't need that part on?

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

I used a VA Surefit in my 65, I'm very happy. The ability to control/blend the temp with the electronic controls is nice.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

I think the main issue you are going to face is the size of the compressor. When I was installing my VA system, they sent me the compressor that I thought I needed only to find out it wouldn't fit for a front-mount bracket set up. I remember calling the guy at VA and he told me a pickup would work well with the "Peanut" compressor but that if I had a bigger cab (like you do) I would have had to run the bigger compressor as the smaller one may not be able to keep up. The Peanut compressor is not as long and will sit in front of the block.

With that said, I don't know if a single unit will cool an entire cab like yours but I would think it would be pretty close...I'd suggest you call VA and ask them.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Yes, it does completely do away with your oe heater. My '66, with a '96 v-8 vortec, had an approx. 81-87 van front alum. accessory bracket with the factory pancake comp. on the pass. side. I don't think you can save any/much by asking them to delete the adapter and comp. from the kit in order to keep your present comp--I asked and was discouraged from even considering that. BTW: their adapter to fit the Sanborn into your pancake brkts. is so simple that one could copy it in short time; so saving that could not amount to much at all. Comp. savings may or may not be significant, depending on cost of additional fittings/adapters.

I do honestly believe that if you have equip. to crimp and bend hoses, and you have the parts to adapt rear ports of pancake comp. to rest of their kit(drier, condenser, interior 'box fittings'), that you could actually save a bit of $. But my installer said he would have to charge me more labor PLUS it would be going backwards in time by ending up with what he termed an "old-school pancake comp."...............So, I bit the bullet and let him do what he obviously knew best and had done on exact duplicates of my setup. Hopefully I can sell my pancake for a few $'s to recover enough to buy a cheap breakfast!:lol:

Call 'em up and ask specific ?'s--they are there for just that, know their stuff, and are not smarties with our dumb-sounding ?'s. They like to sell!!!

Luck to you.
Sam

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Will be using Vintage Air in my 66.

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Thanks for the information, sounds like if I decide to add one down the line I will just buy an entire kit and go from there.

Re: Aftermarket AC Input
 

Sorry I missed your question.

No floor heat.
cumbersome controls ( even with the factory heater control)
Fan has gone out ( bearings) 3 times, not easy to repair

I will give them this, they are very accommodating, I have been to their shop and they have examples to show how things go together\apart etc and they will answer any question.

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Anyone install a http://www.restomodair.com/ system? Looks pretty slick.

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I used to work at an A/C shop many years ago. The original Mark IV Monitor under dash unit was made out of real metal, with real chrome plating on the front. Pic:
http://www.autoacforum.com/forumimages/DSCN4014.JPG

Anyway, my truck would need a V8 radiator, better fan and a fan shroud, plus I'd hafta build some brackets for the compressor, but it could be done.
Maybe when I get tired of sweating while driving.
Even have 5 or 6 cans of R-12 stashed. :lol:

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Ha, that's not quite what I had in mind but I do like the chrome :)

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Vintage Air 4 sure fit

and you can use your factory heater switches and my vents and it will all look factory

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I did the Vintage Air in mine from a vendor here on the forum. Absolutely love it. Integrated with the factory switches, so other than the vents it looks stock. Much more control and adjustment than the factory system. Feels great

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I have an Old Air Products system in my 66. A good unit for the most part. I liked that the control panel goes where the factory heater controls in the dash are, so it looks kind of stock and doesn't have its own control panel mounted somewhere. I wish the slow speed on the fan blew slower, it blows hard on low and is too much air and noise in that position. I noticed that all the manufacturers don't draw the air from outside, and is recirculated in the cab. That is fine, until you turn the defroster on and the windshield fogs up. Kind of a safety hazard.

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I am working on mine now, here are some pics of controls and center vents and condenser, sorry about sideways pics, I will update the farther I get along

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I would also consider using a sound deadner like Fat Mat. it will help insulate the cab also.

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I will get va in mine maybe next year.