Aftermarket Air Conditioning Choices

[72truckman]

With all the companies now producing kits, (Vintage Air, Old Air, Hot Rod Air, etc.) which company sells the best electronically controlled unit. My firewall is already shaved and i only want t use a bulkhead fitting to get the lines through, so does that rule out the sure fit fits that have that big block off plate? I have heard good things about Old Air... what do you think?

[vegaschevy]

Originally Posted by 72truckman

With all the companies now producing kits, (Vintage Air, Old Air, Hot Rod Air, etc.) which company sells the best electronically controlled unit. My firewall is already shaved and i only want t use a bulkhead fitting to get the lines through, so does that rule out the sure fit fits that have that big block off plate? I have heard good things about Old Air... what do you think?

Ill be watching this thread. I had not seen old air until last week I saw it with the nice billet bullk head unit. very clean looking set up and it seems as though I might be leaning that way. I would like to see others ideas as well.

DO you know if the old air set up still uses the factory controller? or does it come with their own that looks factory?

[72truckman]

Originally Posted by vegaschevy

Ill be watching this thread. I had not seen old air until last week I saw it with the nice billet bullk head unit. very clean looking set up and it seems as though I might be leaning that way. I would like to see others ideas as well.

DO you know if the old air set up still uses the factory controller? or does it come with their own that looks factory?

I know with Old Air an Vintage Air you can either use a factory ac/heater controller or the electronic switch that is a $250 option.

[72truckman]

The biggest difference in Vintage air and Old AIr that i see is that i the direct fit kits Vintage air is still using cable operated units while old air is using fully electric.

[my67chevytruck]

Vintage air, or old air are the only two i would consider.......

[killer71]

vintage & old air....used both and they are good quality. The last two units i've bought have been the electronic vintage air (magnum)!

[cparman]

Only one choice for me Classic Auto Air in Tampa Fl. Great product, and service after the sale!

[72truckman]

Originally Posted by cparman

Only one choice for me Classic Auto Air in Tampa Fl. Great product, and service after the sale!

That kit sounds good, but is cable operated. Should i want to run Electronic?
http://www.classicautoair.com/?q=67_..._Chevy_AC.html

[cparman]

I am also a fan of the KISS method of modernizing our trucks. I just finished installing a/c in a 57 TBIRD. cable operated, simple to use, and looks factory// sort of // The electronic switching stuff is great, but just one more thing to diagnose when you have a problem.

Originally Posted by 72truckman

That kit sounds good, but is cable operated. Should i want to run Electronic?
http://www.classicautoair.com/?q=67_..._Chevy_AC.html

[ChevLoRay]

I'm watching this, too. I have the factory A/C unit removed from my truck. When I started considering what all I'd have to replace to reinstall it, I decided that an aftermarket unit might not be a bad option. I have some serious work to do on my firewall, so that is also driving the option phase of the HVAC issue. However, I do also have a pair of OEM HVAC controllers, both used of course, but in good shape. Maybe I just need to get on with the process and sell some stuff and get it out of the garage. God knows I need the space.

[68 short step]

i can vouch for VA and CAA, for a 'neater' fitting unit and better looking control panel, IMO, id go with the VA GENIV magnum.....

[passthebuck]

I'm interested in this question as well 72truckman. I've seen a few companies getting great propps on here, but which one the THE company to go with?

[big mike71]

I would check with Big Al 71 to see what he has and how he ran his hoses. It's the cleanest looking setup I've seen on here.

[72truckman]

one of you computer brains should figure out how to put up a POLL of the major companies products!!!!

[Mondo]

Mine came with Vintage Air & original controls. The A/C works great but in the winter when I turn on the heat and slide the temp control over the cab fogs up. I have to run the A/C and just slide the temp lever over to hot. The result is dry warm air; not hot air. The fan speed is a little high on the lowest position too.
Don't know how much of this is the installer or the design.

[JP2120]

Originally Posted by Mondo

Mine came with Vintage Air & original controls. The A/C works great but in the winter when I turn on the heat and slide the temp control over the cab fogs up. I have to run the A/C and just slide the temp lever over to hot. The result is dry warm air; not hot air. The fan speed is a little high on the lowest position too.
Don't know how much of this is the installer or the design.

Look under your dash and there should be a T-Stat knob that you can rotate. Its located on top of the Heater box assembly. In the winter you rotate it all the way counterclockwise and in the summer you rotate it all the way clockwise. I have Vintage air in mine. It is a Sure-Fit Kit.
Duke

[ERASER5]

Originally Posted by Mondo

Mine came with Vintage Air & original controls. The A/C works great but in the winter when I turn on the heat and slide the temp control over the cab fogs up. I have to run the A/C and just slide the temp lever over to hot. The result is dry warm air; not hot air. The fan speed is a little high on the lowest position too.
Don't know how much of this is the installer or the design.

It is the design. Most of these A/C /Heater systems only recirculate the air with no outside air option. The OEMs always use outside air for heating. On the cars that have a separate recirc/fresh air switch, the manual will tell you to NEVER use recirc during heat or defrost mode. Max A/C is also a recirc mode.

I am not dissing Vintage or Old Air, or any other company, the facts are just the facts. 90% of the people who install these system have a lot of money in their rides. Driving them in the northern winter would be unheard of, so for them, the problem never arises. Not having and outside air intake is why guys can shave the cowl, smooth everything on the firewall, fill the air vents and all the other mods that make their trucks or cars look fantastic and still have cold air flowing, just not the best heaters. Someday maybe I can too.

[JP2120]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

It is the design. Most of these A/C /Heater systems only recirculate the air with no outside air option. The OEMs always use outside air for heating. On the cars that have a separate recirc/fresh air switch, the manual will tell you to NEVER use recirc during heat or defrost mode. Max A/C is also a recirc mode.

I am not dissing Vintage or Old Air, or any other company, the facts are just the facts. 90% of the people who install these system have a lot of money in their rides. Driving them in the northern winter would be unheard of, so for them, the problem never arises. Not having and outside air intake is why guys can shave the cowl, smooth everything on the firewall, fill the air vents and all the other mods that make their trucks or cars look fantastic and still have cold air flowing, just not the best heaters. Someday maybe I can too.

Very Good Point !

[big_al_71]

Thanks mike!!!!


I used classic auto air and could not be happier in this miami hot weather it works like a champ....
We ran all our lines thru the insinde of the fender, if you would like some picts let me know and I will be happy to post the for you.

[passthebuck]

This is the info we all need! Keep the tips & the quirks comming!

[72truckman]

So, at this point we have: Vintage Air, Old Air, Classic Auto Air, Hot ROd Air... any consensus on the best one?

[JP2120]

Vintage Air is right down the road from me so I tend to lean towards them a bit due to that fact. I will however say that out of the dozen or so kits I have installed from them I have been totally satisfied and so have my customers. They have been around for quite some time and have an R&D Dept. that is very knowledgeable. They take there time to explain things and even call back the next day to see if everything worked out. They shipped me the wrong dash vents once in a kit and next day aired the correct ones at no charge. Thats the kind of service I look for and its the kind that keeps me loyal to them as well. This is just my 2 cents and i am sure the others are ok also but I will never change systems.

A sure-Fit kit from Vintage is 1125.00 with a Polished Comp. It has everything you need except for the control panel. Anew factory one is about 145.00 at the dealer or they will sell you one for 199.00. I like the cable operated system because I don't want to have to trouble shoot electrical problems should they arise.

Good Luck
Duke

[oldcarfart]

Originally Posted by 72truckman

So, at this point we have: Vintage Air, Old Air, Classic Auto Air, Hot ROd Air... any consensus on the best one?

don't forget southern air in greer, sc

[passthebuck]

JP2120, I've heard of this problem before but thats the first time I've heard of a fix for it. It's of concern to me due to the potential for cold here.

[JP2120]

Originally Posted by passthebuck

JP2120, I've heard of this problem before but thats the first time I've heard of a fix for it. It's of concern to me due to the potential for cold here.

Call Vintage Monday at 1-800-862-6658 and they can explain it to you in better detail. I remember one of my customers had the same problem and that is how they overcame it.
Duke