Suggestions for aftermarket A/C system?

[glock35ipsc]

I plan on putting an aftermarket A/C system in the 68 before it goes to paint, or at least have it set up and ready to install. My requirements (if they can be met):

Factory vents, factory control panel, and nothing but a bulkhead on the firewall in the engine compartment.

I am going to shave and smooth the firewall, so a factory system is out of the question.

I have been told that Vintage Air will not work with a completely smooth firewall.

Hot Rod Air has been recommended, but at this time they do not advertise a kit for our trucks.

Any other thoughts?

Thanks!

[FRENCHBLUE72]

May want to try old aire product's..

[glock35ipsc]

Thanks alot, I'll look them up!

[jorgensensc]

How smooth of a firewall do you want? You can forego using the plastic piece that comes with the Vintage kit if you just want the hoses to come through the firewall and you fill in the old gaps for the heater box. I just did a Vintage Air install and thought it was a breeze to install (took 1 day including removal of the old system). I went with the factory style controller and thefactory vents. It looks great and Really blows cold.

[lock]

Got any pics Jorgensensc?

[Shane]

You are correct .... Hot Rod Air does not offer a kit specifically for OUR trucks. But you can purchase one of their Street Rod kits and it will do all that you stated above.

They are who I plan on using. http://www.hotrodair.com/pg1a.cfm

[adamls]

On any of the 3 big manufacturers, Vintage Air/OldAir/HotRod Air, there will be 4 lines going from the engine compartment to the cab (for AC and Heat, just 2 if you just want AC). Those lines have to be routed through the firewall. HotRod Air has some nice bulkheads and www.gottashow.com has some nice SS lines instead of the black rubber lines. But any system will have to have the 4 lines going through the firewall.

[busterwivell]

I agree with jorgensensc, my Vintage Air system took about 8 hrs total to do, including removal of the old system. I have factory vents and controller. I used the firewall panel from the kit, but I'm sure you can just run the 4 lines thru your smooth firewall if you want to.

[glock35ipsc]

Originally Posted by glock35ipsc

Factory vents, factory control panel, and nothing but a bulkhead on the firewall in the engine compartment.

I am aware of that!

I had been told that the Vintage Air system had a protrusion through the firewall other than the bulkhead. My firewall will be flat; I will have welded all holes shut and will be totally smooth after paint. I want to be able to have it already cut for the bulkhead before I paint it. And I really don't want anything else coming through the firewall other than the bulkhead.

[69sixpackbee]

Check out airtique. http://www.air-tique.com/That is the system I put in. I went with the "King Kool" one. Bigger evaporator than the "other guys" You can make a smooth firewall with that one. Just run the heater and refrigerant lines to a bulkhead connector assy. on the firewall. You can get a real hi-lustre polish on that bad boy and it will look great! The TXV (expansion valve) is on the evaporator inside the truck so ther is no hardware on the outside. I have some pics if you want to see my install.
Later

[glock35ipsc]

Yeah, some pics would be great! Post em here, or send me a PM. Thanks!

[69sixpackbee]

Send me an email and I will send them back. I have just a few pics but you can get the idea.
bud.weaver@ectinfo.com

[68gmcdually]

My kit for my truck is coming from T.B.I. (Terry Brown Industries), they have a kit for our trucks, complete with the "correct" air vents. They have quite a selection of quality products.