Stock or aftermarket A/C? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

MisterE72 · 07-23-2007, 10:21 PM

I have a 72 Custom Deluxe with an A/C cab, but no A/C. Would it be more cost effective to have the "original" set up put back in the truck or an aftermarket like Vintage Air? Are their other factors I should consider in this decision making process?

Thanks ahead of time for any imput you provide.

tavenner13 · 07-23-2007, 10:23 PM

hey great topic im subscribing to this one

wheels67 · 07-23-2007, 10:43 PM

Im curious about this too. My 67 custom doesnt have air or the vents tho. Would a donor truck be feasable....or a new system.

Waiting for anyones stories.....

timcos · 07-23-2007, 11:09 PM

The vintage air is a lot more compact. Hoever I remember reading that you want the kind of vintage air with the stock/original controls.

Reason is that someone said it was all air or all heat with very little temperature control..like no warm.

Not sure if this is true...but I am subscribed now so I will watch.

I have the exact same Q.,..My A/C is missing the compressor...did not know if I wanted to simply replace the compressor or go with an aftermarket model. I do like the cleaner firewall look.

wheels67 · 07-23-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timcos

The vintage air is a lot more compact. Hoever I remember reading that you want the kind of vintage air with the stock/original controls.

Reason is that someone said it was all air or all heat with very little temperature control..like no warm.

Not sure if this is true...but I am subscribed now so I will watch.

I have the exact same Q.,..My A/C is missing the compressor...did not know if I wanted to simply replace the compressor or go with an aftermarket model. I do like the cleaner firewall look.

That is interesting. I know vintage requires an existing heater setup, but all trucks at least came with that, right?
Thats how the temp control would work for the air also, i think.

Id have to cut some round vents in my dash...cuz mines a virgin for the air baby..

sameyrasmea72 · 07-23-2007, 11:36 PM

I would pick factory over add on anyday. Even if the after market works better, a correctly done factory system works very well and in the end the truck will be much more desirable. There is just no comparison. JMO

**Already Gone** · 07-24-2007, 03:18 AM

I do agree, there is nothing like factory for stuff like A/C etc. !!

I have a question about factory air dashes. I notice on the factory air dashes that the A/C vents on the sides of the dash have an inch or more of metal or plastic on them that the vent part is in.. My question is, is that piece metal or plastic and is it part of the air dash. Hope I explained myself properly. I guess want I want to know is if I add air to my truck I want it to look as factory as possible and if the part I'm talking about is a metal extension of the dash or part of the vent that just sticks out. If its part of the dash then I'd have to find an A/C dash to keep my truck factory looking.

mrein3 · 07-24-2007, 08:04 AM

I'd pick stock. Especially if you already have an AC cab.

I'd also adjust your factory POA to work with R134a and recharge the system with that. Follow this link to adjust your POA:http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...AR_MSGDBTABLE=
Get all new o-rings. Flush the old system. Get a new receiver/dryer. Pull a vacuum. Fill it up with R134a.

**SactoJim** · 07-24-2007, 05:03 PM

My truck had factory air and it worked fine, but an aftermarket setup really cleans up the engine compartment. It's pretty hard to "dress up" a factory AC setup.

mvfd70 · 07-24-2007, 11:26 PM

I've got a non a/c truck and I really dont want to cut into the dash. I've got a factory A/C dash but I don't know if i want to do the work putting it in. So i've THOUGHT about going with something like this http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/getproduct.php?pid=351

Maybe not that one exactly but we'll see.

67ChevyRedneck · 07-26-2007, 03:50 PM

I was consistently getting 13/15 with my truck (city/hwy) before vintage air. I finally got my dash back in and can post back in a month or so to see if my avg. has gone down or not.

barraza · 07-26-2007, 04:54 PM

I have a vintage air system in my camaro, I think the truck system is similar. The vintage air setup works ok, but I do not like that it always uses recirculated air, it is also considerably noiser than a stock type system because the fan is right under the dash instead of outside on the firewall. If I did it again, I would track down factory parts.

When I redo my truck air, I am going to use a new sanden compressor, and the rest of the factory system with an adjusted POA valve for 134

Zonaman · 07-26-2007, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I was consistently getting 13/15 with my truck (city/hwy) before vintage air. I finally got my dash back in and can post back in a month or so to see if my avg. has gone down or not.

I'll bet it's 12-14. That's about my range after the Old Air system I installed. Of course that doesn't include hauling the boat to Roosevelt Lake. It's out of overdrive, alot heavier, and lots of mountains then so it's single digits on the uphill leg!

I'll put in my vote for the aftermarket system. I like the adjustable thermostat on the evaporator on the Old Air setup.

matthufham · 07-26-2007, 05:23 PM

i found vintage air cheaper because with my AC 72, i needed new everything, and vintage air offered that for less. i reused my controls, but everything else is new. i ripped an o ring today trying to tighten my fittings to get the compressor vacuumed so i can't say much about the temp control, the heater however works good. the rest of the system installed ok, probably as easy as original would of been.

one downfall, the vintage air kit cuts the inside of your glovebox in half. so you can't store a whole lot of crap in there anymore.

07-23-2007, 10:21 PM	#1
MisterE72 Keep Your Nose Clean Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: California Posts: 496	Stock or aftermarket A/C? I have a 72 Custom Deluxe with an A/C cab, but no A/C. Would it be more cost effective to have the "original" set up put back in the truck or an aftermarket like Vintage Air? Are their other factors I should consider in this decision making process? Thanks ahead of time for any imput you provide.

07-23-2007, 10:23 PM	#2
tavenner13 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tyler, Texas Posts: 559	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? hey great topic im subscribing to this one

07-23-2007, 10:43 PM	#3
wheels67 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: southern Utah Posts: 103	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? Im curious about this too. My 67 custom doesnt have air or the vents tho. Would a donor truck be feasable....or a new system. Waiting for anyones stories.....

07-23-2007, 11:09 PM	#4
timcos Chief Honcho In Charge Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bentonville AR Posts: 970	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? The vintage air is a lot more compact. Hoever I remember reading that you want the kind of vintage air with the stock/original controls. Reason is that someone said it was all air or all heat with very little temperature control..like no warm. Not sure if this is true...but I am subscribed now so I will watch. I have the exact same Q.,..My A/C is missing the compressor...did not know if I wanted to simply replace the compressor or go with an aftermarket model. I do like the cleaner firewall look. __________________ 1992 1500 4x4 Shortbed 1984 Ford F250 Supercab Longbed 6.9L Diesel 1972 K10 Cheyenne Super Fleetside Short Bed - 350 - A/C 1971 VW SuperBeetle 1960 Wife 1984 Son 1986 Son 1989 Son Previous Trucks 1967 C10 SWB (1980-1981) 1971 C10 LWB (1998-2004)

07-23-2007, 11:36 PM	#6
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I would pick factory over add on anyday. Even if the after market works better, a correctly done factory system works very well and in the end the truck will be much more desirable. There is just no comparison. JMO __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd Last edited by sameyrasmea72; 07-23-2007 at 11:37 PM.

07-24-2007, 03:18 AM	#7
Already Gone 70+ ( Old Skool Club ) Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan ,Canada Posts: 9,109	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I do agree, there is nothing like factory for stuff like A/C etc. !! I have a question about factory air dashes. I notice on the factory air dashes that the A/C vents on the sides of the dash have an inch or more of metal or plastic on them that the vent part is in.. My question is, is that piece metal or plastic and is it part of the air dash. Hope I explained myself properly. I guess want I want to know is if I add air to my truck I want it to look as factory as possible and if the part I'm talking about is a metal extension of the dash or part of the vent that just sticks out. If its part of the dash then I'd have to find an A/C dash to keep my truck factory looking. __________________ 1972 C10 Custom/Deluxe 613 Highlander 406/700R4 1999 White Tahoe LS 4x2 with Z56 Police Package 1992 K1500 GMC Suburban Members I have personally met: MusicMan70 - HeavyD - ChewyChevy67 - StingRay -71SWB4x4 - 67 Burb - DeadheadNM - too much stuff - bc65 - das601 " Circumsatances Do Not Change Responsibility " " The Sky is not the Limit, Your Mind is." Marilyn Monroe .. RIP Charlie Watts 1941 - 2021 Last edited by Already Gone; 07-24-2007 at 03:19 AM.

07-24-2007, 08:04 AM	#8
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I'd pick stock. Especially if you already have an AC cab. I'd also adjust your factory POA to work with R134a and recharge the system with that. Follow this link to adjust your POA:http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...AR_MSGDBTABLE= Get all new o-rings. Flush the old system. Get a new receiver/dryer. Pull a vacuum. Fill it up with R134a. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN

07-24-2007, 05:03 PM	#9
SactoJim Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 1,970	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? My truck had factory air and it worked fine, but an aftermarket setup really cleans up the engine compartment. It's pretty hard to "dress up" a factory AC setup. __________________ 72 Cheyenne SWB Fleet Nut & bolt frame off in progress...99.9999% - supercharged 383 - 4 wheel discs - relocated fuel tank - My Build Thread

07-24-2007, 11:26 PM	#10
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I've got a non a/c truck and I really dont want to cut into the dash. I've got a factory A/C dash but I don't know if i want to do the work putting it in. So i've THOUGHT about going with something like this http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/getproduct.php?pid=351 Maybe not that one exactly but we'll see. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL

07-26-2007, 03:50 PM	#11
67ChevyRedneck Hittin E-Z Street on Mud Tires Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 23,090	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I was consistently getting 13/15 with my truck (city/hwy) before vintage air. I finally got my dash back in and can post back in a month or so to see if my avg. has gone down or not. __________________ Jesse James 1967 C10 SWB Stepside: 350/700R4/3.73 1965 Ford Mustang: 289/T5-5spd/3.25 Trac-Loc 1968 Pontiac Firebird: Project Fire Chicken! 2015 Silverado Double Cab 5.3L Z71 2001 Jeep Wrangler Sport 4.0L 5spd 2020 Chevrolet Equinox Premium 2.0L Turbo 2011 Mustang V6 ~ Wife's ride American Born, Country by the Grace of God 1967 CST Shop Truck Rebuild! My 1967 C-10 Build Thread My Vintage Air A/C Install Project "On a Dime" Trying my hand at Home Renovation! 1965 Mustang Modifications!

07-26-2007, 04:54 PM	#12
barraza Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: N. Alabama Posts: 131	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? I have a vintage air system in my camaro, I think the truck system is similar. The vintage air setup works ok, but I do not like that it always uses recirculated air, it is also considerably noiser than a stock type system because the fan is right under the dash instead of outside on the firewall. If I did it again, I would track down factory parts. When I redo my truck air, I am going to use a new sanden compressor, and the rest of the factory system with an adjusted POA valve for 134

07-26-2007, 05:23 PM	#14
matthufham Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Carl Junction, Missouri Posts: 2,061	Re: Stock or aftermarket A/C? i found vintage air cheaper because with my AC 72, i needed new everything, and vintage air offered that for less. i reused my controls, but everything else is new. i ripped an o ring today trying to tighten my fittings to get the compressor vacuumed so i can't say much about the temp control, the heater however works good. the rest of the system installed ok, probably as easy as original would of been. one downfall, the vintage air kit cuts the inside of your glovebox in half. so you can't store a whole lot of crap in there anymore. Last edited by matthufham; 07-26-2007 at 05:26 PM.



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