Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bama51 · 03-19-2008, 01:23 AM

LMC sells the A/C and defroster hoses in both an aftermarket and oem version, with the oem version being much more expensive. What's the difference and what would you recommend?

Andy4639 · 03-19-2008, 02:17 AM

The factory ones are a felt canvas type of material where the aftermarket ones are plastic rubbery material. Myself I would go aftermarket. If I had a orignal truck and wanted to keep the look right then orignal.

71 super · 03-19-2008, 04:59 AM

The original ones fit very tight and can be difficult to put on, but once on they will stay but if they tear, they are done, they will completely unravel. The aftermarket ones are plastic and remind me of dryer hose. They look out of place in my opinion but I think they will actually put more heat/ac to the windshield. I guess it all depends on your budget and how you want the truck to look.

roughedup72 · 03-19-2008, 06:38 AM

I got mine from classic american parts and they didn't cost that much if I remember correctly. They fit snug b ut the defrost blows real good and strong now.

jayharrell · 03-19-2008, 06:56 AM

I put the LMC non OEM in last weekend. Very tough plastic. Like a shop vac hose. But still fit pretty nice after a litle trimming to fit lengthand useing a blow dryer to give them some streatch. I have to agree that i was afraid of the felt tearing on me on the OEM style. I haven't run these at all, but as far as instillation, pretty quick.

**Bob B.** · 03-19-2008, 12:45 PM

It's a really fun job no matter what you use. I went with the OEM style and I had to do very little trimming, but give yourself a lot of time. Use a shop manual or one of those 'assembly manuals' and route them exactly as shown.

stope4 · 03-20-2008, 02:26 AM

I vote for oem felt, but then, that's just me. They fit better and don't look cheesy. You can abuse the oem felt ones pretty good before they will tear. I always had a problem with the plastic ones falling off on the drivers side. pretty annoying. I wound up using an electrical tie wrap to keep it on. The plastic ones don't look original, but then again, no one sees this. As a matter of performance, they are more than likely equal. Don't see how they could be any different. Usually when people are replacing this it's because the old ones were messed up and probably contributing to a vent not blowing properly.

jayharrell · 03-20-2008, 02:31 AM

Heres a routing pic. Helps alot. I had trouble getting around the wiper moter untill i looked at this.

bama51 · 03-20-2008, 05:04 PM

Thanks for all the advice. I decided to go aftermarket, as mine is a custom truck anyway, so I didn't care about factory look. I have installed 1 oem style hose before and it was a bear. Hope the plastic ones will be easier to install. Will let you know when I get them in.

sjarrett71 · 03-20-2008, 07:58 PM

I went aftermarket also. Just a lot cheaper and they function the same.

kaycee · 03-20-2008, 10:45 PM

I just did mine last weekend got all the hoses from salvage yard $2 brand new .Yeah look at the routing diagram or you will fight it forever been there done that.

**1970cstblazer** · 03-20-2008, 11:55 PM

I went with the more expensive OEM type hoses. Installation was a breeze, and they don't have that cheap harware store appearance...

03-19-2008, 01:23 AM	#1
bama51 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 140	Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket LMC sells the A/C and defroster hoses in both an aftermarket and oem version, with the oem version being much more expensive. What's the difference and what would you recommend?

03-19-2008, 02:17 AM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket The factory ones are a felt canvas type of material where the aftermarket ones are plastic rubbery material. Myself I would go aftermarket. If I had a orignal truck and wanted to keep the look right then orignal. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

03-19-2008, 04:59 AM	#3
71 super Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Canton North carolina Posts: 3,081	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket The original ones fit very tight and can be difficult to put on, but once on they will stay but if they tear, they are done, they will completely unravel. The aftermarket ones are plastic and remind me of dryer hose. They look out of place in my opinion but I think they will actually put more heat/ac to the windshield. I guess it all depends on your budget and how you want the truck to look.

03-19-2008, 06:38 AM	#4
roughedup72 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: south carolina Posts: 658	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I got mine from classic american parts and they didn't cost that much if I remember correctly. They fit snug b ut the defrost blows real good and strong now. __________________ 1972 chevy cheyenne 10,nothing special at the moment,Its a work in progress, Working on the engine, paint and body,engine, paint and body,now its the suspenion, ahh hell I'm about tired of working on it. Maybe it will be a rat rod.

03-19-2008, 06:56 AM	#5
jayharrell Gettin By on Gettin By Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cedar Creek, Tx Posts: 1,033	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I put the LMC non OEM in last weekend. Very tough plastic. Like a shop vac hose. But still fit pretty nice after a litle trimming to fit lengthand useing a blow dryer to give them some streatch. I have to agree that i was afraid of the felt tearing on me on the OEM style. I haven't run these at all, but as far as instillation, pretty quick.

03-19-2008, 12:45 PM	#6
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,348	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket It's a really fun job no matter what you use. I went with the OEM style and I had to do very little trimming, but give yourself a lot of time. Use a shop manual or one of those 'assembly manuals' and route them exactly as shown. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

03-20-2008, 02:26 AM	#7
stope4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 434	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I vote for oem felt, but then, that's just me. They fit better and don't look cheesy. You can abuse the oem felt ones pretty good before they will tear. I always had a problem with the plastic ones falling off on the drivers side. pretty annoying. I wound up using an electrical tie wrap to keep it on. The plastic ones don't look original, but then again, no one sees this. As a matter of performance, they are more than likely equal. Don't see how they could be any different. Usually when people are replacing this it's because the old ones were messed up and probably contributing to a vent not blowing properly.

03-20-2008, 02:31 AM	#8
jayharrell Gettin By on Gettin By Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cedar Creek, Tx Posts: 1,033	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket Heres a routing pic. Helps alot. I had trouble getting around the wiper moter untill i looked at this. Attached Images

03-20-2008, 05:04 PM	#9
bama51 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Madison, AL Posts: 140	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket Thanks for all the advice. I decided to go aftermarket, as mine is a custom truck anyway, so I didn't care about factory look. I have installed 1 oem style hose before and it was a bear. Hope the plastic ones will be easier to install. Will let you know when I get them in.

03-20-2008, 07:58 PM	#10
sjarrett71 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Rolla, MO Posts: 2,463	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I went aftermarket also. Just a lot cheaper and they function the same. __________________ -Scott-

03-20-2008, 10:45 PM	#11
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,446	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I just did mine last weekend got all the hoses from salvage yard $2 brand new .Yeah look at the routing diagram or you will fight it forever been there done that. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

03-20-2008, 11:55 PM	#12
1970cstblazer All stock and staying that way Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Elkland, PA Posts: 1,682	Re: Question: A/C ducts - oem or aftermarket I went with the more expensive OEM type hoses. Installation was a breeze, and they don't have that cheap harware store appearance... __________________ 1970 K/5 Blazer CST 4WD, Medium Bronze, 93k ACT. miles, 350, 4 speed, rear positraction, 16.5" x 8.25" HD wheel option, tilt, tach, vacuum, AM/FM, manual throttle...Dad ordered and purchased new 4/70. Currently frame off restoration finally getting close to completion.. 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 2WD, DK Blue/White, 90K ACT. miles, 402, TH400, 4.10 open, tilt, tach, vacuum, A/C, AM/FM, manual throttle.. A mostly original paint never rusted Texas survivor... 2017 Sierra 1500 SLT 4WD, Black, 45k miles, 5.3, 6L80E, 3.42 LS, 20" polished wheels, everything but moonroof and 6.2... 2019 Canyon SLT 4WD, White, 62k miles, 3.6, 8L45, 3.23 LS, 18" wheels

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