Converting non-a/c cab to a/c - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Zumo · 03-17-2002, 03:20 PM

Has anyone done this? Can it be done. I figured I could make the holes in the dash then install the kit. Is there more to it than that?

------------------
Zumo
1968 C10 LWB
Dallas, Texas
My Website

**John Fabris** · 03-18-2002, 02:31 PM

Are you talking about adding factory air conditioning setup?

If so, I have done this, where I replaced the non-Air dash with an Air dash (involves unbolting, cutting spotwelds, and rebolting, rewelding new dash in) and also the holes in the firewall are different. I cut out a section of my firewall and welded in a section of firewall from an air cab.

If you are talking about aftermarket Air conditioning, I would think that there would be miminal modifications needed. Someone that has put in an aftermarket kit could answer that better then me!!

------------------
John Fabris
john.fabris@autodesk.com
1967 C10 SWB FleetSide Web Page
1971 K5 Blazer 2WD (basket case, but give me two year or so.)

Zumo · 03-18-2002, 04:54 PM

Yeah, That's what I was talking about. Looks like it may be easier for me to just get an aftermarket system when the time comes.

**1971Stepside** · 03-18-2002, 05:16 PM

Zumo, I did this on my 71. I found a 72 GMC that had factory air/tilt that I was able to buy for $250. (The rest of the truck was shot) It took some time, but I was able to make the switch. I did not have to modify anything on the firewall of my truck. It changes your heater core all the duct work, vacuum system, and even the glove box! For the dash I simply took a saw and cut the holes for the vents. That was probably one of the easier things to do (I did not remove the dash to do this)

The most difficult piece I had was finding compressor brackets for my small block. The truck I robbed the AC from had a big block and the brackets would not work.

All in all I hooked it all up had it charged and it worked great!

Of course the truck is now down to the frame for a re-do.

Good luck.

My 2 cents is to convert because of the original "look" of it.

------------------
2001 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax, Allison, 4WD, Love it

1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration

Frank_Zeller · 03-18-2002, 05:37 PM

Doing an Old Air System install... 2/3's the way done. Not to bad...see link
http://community.webshots.com/album/33532362gFgMOi

------------------
69 SWB C/10 3-6 drop with air lifts bags in the rear springs. 305 TH350 daily driver

69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd
Austin-Texas
Web Page

Zumo · 03-19-2002, 02:43 PM

1971Stepside:

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Cut the dash.

------------------
Zumo
1968 C10 LWB
Dallas, Texas
My Website

Zumo · 03-19-2002, 02:55 PM

Zeller:

Did you buy a kit? Where did you get the ventes?

chevellestepsider · 03-19-2002, 03:06 PM

I saw a guy use a custom underdash kit but he did it tastefully by putting down a matching carpet colored board just under the dash to hide the motor and stuff and to hold the vents. I liked it. Just gotta figure out how to get a vitnage air system.

**1971Stepside** · 03-19-2002, 03:34 PM

yeah, the holes were pretty ugly at first. I was really not happy with what I had chose to do, but with a little determination I was able to clean them up and with the vents in you couldn't tell is was a shade tree deal at all.

------------------
2001 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax, Allison, 4WD, Love it

1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration

Zumo · 03-19-2002, 04:21 PM

Billet Specialties has billets vents.
www.billetspecialties.com

------------------
Zumo
1968 C10 LWB
Dallas, Texas

[This message has been edited by Zumo (edited March 19, 2002).]

Eddie H. · 03-20-2002, 09:34 PM

Hey Zumo,
If you decide to try and go the factory ac route, I've got a lot of extra parts that you will need, ( evaporater case, control head, air diverter box, cables, compressor, condenser, vent balls, center vent, etc.)
If you live in Dallas, I'm only about 20 miles away in Bedford, email me and maybe I can help you out.

------------------
69 GMC LWB 404/400 daily driver
71 GMC LWB 350/700R4 frame-up restoration in progress

Hutch · 03-20-2002, 10:02 PM

Eddie H.
Bedford is pretty close to home for me.
I am begining to start a frame off restore and would be intrested in any local information you might have for paint and body
I would prefer to work with someone who has an intrest in these trucks.

Zumo, sorry for hitchin a ride on your thread
by the way those ralleys look sweet.
Also old Aire is located in Fort Worth just take the truck over and have them do it for you.

------------------
John Hutchison
Grapevine,Texas
76051
71 1/2 ton swb 307 pg
69 Jaguar XK-E 4.2 Roadster

Eddie H. · 03-20-2002, 10:12 PM

Hi Hutch,
I'm in Grapevine every Day, that's where I work. (Payton Wright Ford) I'm about halfway done with a Frame-Off on my 71 GMC. I've got the rolling chassis and most of the mechanicals done now and getting ready to get the paint and body work done. It took a lot of looking, but I finally found a guy in Ft Worth who specializes in restoration type paint and body work. ( He has a lot of experience with these old trucks)
He's going to be starting on mine in a couple of weeks, I'll let you know how it turns out.

------------------
69 GMC LWB 404/400 daily driver
71 GMC LWB 350/700R4 frame-up restoration in progress

Zumo · 03-20-2002, 10:53 PM

Thanks for the help guys. I'll definatly keep you in mind Eddie. We should meetup some time to check out each others trucks. When there ready of course.

------------------
Zumo
1968 C10 LWB
Dallas, Texas
My Website

03-17-2002, 03:20 PM	#1
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Converting non-a/c cab to a/c Has anyone done this? Can it be done. I figured I could make the holes in the dash then install the kit. Is there more to it than that? ------------------ Zumo 1968 C10 LWB Dallas, Texas My Website __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

03-18-2002, 02:31 PM	#2
John Fabris TOTY 2006 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Magalia CA USA Posts: 2,270	Are you talking about adding factory air conditioning setup? If so, I have done this, where I replaced the non-Air dash with an Air dash (involves unbolting, cutting spotwelds, and rebolting, rewelding new dash in) and also the holes in the firewall are different. I cut out a section of my firewall and welded in a section of firewall from an air cab. If you are talking about aftermarket Air conditioning, I would think that there would be miminal modifications needed. Someone that has put in an aftermarket kit could answer that better then me!! ------------------ John Fabris john.fabris@autodesk.com 1967 C10 SWB FleetSide Web Page 1971 K5 Blazer 2WD (basket case, but give me two year or so.) __________________ John Fabris 67 C10 SWB

03-18-2002, 04:54 PM	#3
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Yeah, That's what I was talking about. Looks like it may be easier for me to just get an aftermarket system when the time comes. __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

03-18-2002, 05:16 PM	#4
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	Zumo, I did this on my 71. I found a 72 GMC that had factory air/tilt that I was able to buy for $250. (The rest of the truck was shot) It took some time, but I was able to make the switch. I did not have to modify anything on the firewall of my truck. It changes your heater core all the duct work, vacuum system, and even the glove box! For the dash I simply took a saw and cut the holes for the vents. That was probably one of the easier things to do (I did not remove the dash to do this) The most difficult piece I had was finding compressor brackets for my small block. The truck I robbed the AC from had a big block and the brackets would not work. All in all I hooked it all up had it charged and it worked great! Of course the truck is now down to the frame for a re-do. Good luck. My 2 cents is to convert because of the original "look" of it. ------------------ 2001 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax, Allison, 4WD, Love it 1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

03-18-2002, 05:37 PM	#5
Frank_Zeller Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 796	Doing an Old Air System install... 2/3's the way done. Not to bad...see link http://community.webshots.com/album/33532362gFgMOi ------------------ 69 SWB C/10 3-6 drop with air lifts bags in the rear springs. 305 TH350 daily driver 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd Austin-Texas Web Page __________________ 69 SWB C/10 5-6 drop 700R4 69 Firebird Convert 455 4 spd 70 Torino GT Convert Austin-Texas

03-19-2002, 02:43 PM	#6
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	1971Stepside: Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Cut the dash. ------------------ Zumo 1968 C10 LWB Dallas, Texas My Website __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

03-19-2002, 02:55 PM	#7
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Zeller: Did you buy a kit? Where did you get the ventes? __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

03-19-2002, 03:06 PM	#8
chevellestepsider Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Chatom, Al, U.S. Posts: 5	I saw a guy use a custom underdash kit but he did it tastefully by putting down a matching carpet colored board just under the dash to hide the motor and stuff and to hold the vents. I liked it. Just gotta figure out how to get a vitnage air system.

03-19-2002, 03:34 PM	#9
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	yeah, the holes were pretty ugly at first. I was really not happy with what I had chose to do, but with a little determination I was able to clean them up and with the vents in you couldn't tell is was a shade tree deal at all. ------------------ 2001 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab Duramax, Allison, 4WD, Love it 1971 Chevrolet 1/2 ton 2WD Short/Step Side. In process of frame off restoration __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

03-19-2002, 04:21 PM	#10
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Billet Specialties has billets vents. www.billetspecialties.com ------------------ Zumo 1968 C10 LWB Dallas, Texas [This message has been edited by Zumo (edited March 19, 2002).] __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

03-20-2002, 09:34 PM	#11
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	Hey Zumo, If you decide to try and go the factory ac route, I've got a lot of extra parts that you will need, ( evaporater case, control head, air diverter box, cables, compressor, condenser, vent balls, center vent, etc.) If you live in Dallas, I'm only about 20 miles away in Bedford, email me and maybe I can help you out. ------------------ 69 GMC LWB 404/400 daily driver 71 GMC LWB 350/700R4 frame-up restoration in progress __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

03-20-2002, 10:02 PM	#12
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	Eddie H. Bedford is pretty close to home for me. I am begining to start a frame off restore and would be intrested in any local information you might have for paint and body I would prefer to work with someone who has an intrest in these trucks. Zumo, sorry for hitchin a ride on your thread by the way those ralleys look sweet. Also old Aire is located in Fort Worth just take the truck over and have them do it for you. ------------------ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 76051 71 1/2 ton swb 307 pg 69 Jaguar XK-E 4.2 Roadster __________________ John Hutchison Grapevine,Texas 68 1/2 t swb 68 Mustang 69 Jaguar 71 1/2 t swb 88 Supra CompTs6m 93 Escort GT 2005 Corolla XRS

03-20-2002, 10:12 PM	#13
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	Hi Hutch, I'm in Grapevine every Day, that's where I work. (Payton Wright Ford) I'm about halfway done with a Frame-Off on my 71 GMC. I've got the rolling chassis and most of the mechanicals done now and getting ready to get the paint and body work done. It took a lot of looking, but I finally found a guy in Ft Worth who specializes in restoration type paint and body work. ( He has a lot of experience with these old trucks) He's going to be starting on mine in a couple of weeks, I'll let you know how it turns out. ------------------ 69 GMC LWB 404/400 daily driver 71 GMC LWB 350/700R4 frame-up restoration in progress __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

03-20-2002, 10:53 PM	#14
Zumo Hot Rods For Life Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Waxahachie, TX Posts: 3,305	Thanks for the help guys. I'll definatly keep you in mind Eddie. We should meetup some time to check out each others trucks. When there ready of course. ------------------ Zumo 1968 C10 LWB Dallas, Texas My Website __________________ 1968 C10 LWB **SOLD* Andy Viva Los Bicicletas! Los Muertos Custom Bicycles

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