A/C conversion questions on 68 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ccsrcr · 02-12-2003, 12:12 AM

I have 68 Non A/C truck. what is the consensus, find a donor truck and convert everything over, or just go with an Old air, or Vintage air setup ?

Andy4639 · 02-12-2003, 03:14 AM

I have done the non air to air cab deal and if I had to do over I would do the aftermarket. You get 30 years of technogly for one and all of the peices you need to do the job and you don't have to cut nothing. You don't spend all the time taking parts off of a 30 year old truck just to find out it don't work anymore. You can have the new kit installed and running by the time you take everything off the old donor truck. My vote is buy new!

Blue68 · 02-12-2003, 12:04 PM

I don't know about cab swapping, but I do know that installing aftermarket is a pretty good deal. You get the new refrigerant. All new parts and technology, including the wiring with relays. It is a more compact solution if you don't mind not having much of a glove box.

There is cutting involved (assuming you want your vents to come out through the dash). And you won't be able to pull in fresh air through the system either. But I don't know if you can do that with a factory a/c. And you don't have to find a condensor since all aftermarket setups come with one.

ccsrcr · 02-12-2003, 12:10 PM

I am with you guys, I think the aftermarket may be the way to go. Not to mention the firewall is much cleaner looking. So which one would you guys recommend. Old air, or vintage air , or ?

Primered_69 · 02-12-2003, 12:16 PM

You know the cost of the aftermarket one is about 1100 for just the parts. Thats a lot of outlay

Plus the firewall is cleaner but it also looks out of balance because of the brake booster.

How much better does the newer set up work?

I can do the used one for 1/4 of the new one using a remanufactured compressor. Is it that much better?

I too am weighing the change.

Hutch · 02-12-2003, 03:01 PM

Trust me the new aftermarket ones are the way to go.
If you are in Fort Worth check out old aire.

http://www.oldairproducts.com/

I totally rebuilt my original unit and switched to 134A and it is marginal at best.
Cost nearly a grand
If I had it to do over again I would go aftermarket.
Just my opinion

There is also another guy that offers kits and installation that is located off 820 and trinity in business park there, A boardmember listed his name about a month back you might be able to search the archives or post the question on the board.

Have fun

02-12-2003, 12:12 AM	#1
ccsrcr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lorton,VA Posts: 201	A/C conversion questions on 68 I have 68 Non A/C truck. what is the consensus, find a donor truck and convert everything over, or just go with an Old air, or Vintage air setup ?

02-12-2003, 03:14 AM	#2
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,945	Factory/Aftermarket AC I have done the non air to air cab deal and if I had to do over I would do the aftermarket. You get 30 years of technogly for one and all of the peices you need to do the job and you don't have to cut nothing. You don't spend all the time taking parts off of a 30 year old truck just to find out it don't work anymore. You can have the new kit installed and running by the time you take everything off the old donor truck. My vote is buy new! __________________ 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.

02-12-2003, 12:04 PM	#3
Blue68 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Frisco, Tx, USA Posts: 606	I don't know about cab swapping, but I do know that installing aftermarket is a pretty good deal. You get the new refrigerant. All new parts and technology, including the wiring with relays. It is a more compact solution if you don't mind not having much of a glove box. There is cutting involved (assuming you want your vents to come out through the dash). And you won't be able to pull in fresh air through the system either. But I don't know if you can do that with a factory a/c. And you don't have to find a condensor since all aftermarket setups come with one. __________________ http://home.comcast.net/~r.landrum/w...tos.html-.html '68 C-10 LWB, '98 Z-71 350 w/accessories (Serpentine), Edelbrock Performer, Edelbrock 1405 (600cfm) carb, GM HEI, CompCam Extreme 4x4 roller cam, Thorley Headers, Carter Electric Fuel Pump, Vintage Air, 700r4, 3.73, disc brakes and power steering upgrades.

02-12-2003, 12:16 PM	#5
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	You know the cost of the aftermarket one is about 1100 for just the parts. Thats a lot of outlay Plus the firewall is cleaner but it also looks out of balance because of the brake booster. How much better does the newer set up work? I can do the used one for 1/4 of the new one using a remanufactured compressor. Is it that much better? I too am weighing the change. __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

02-12-2003, 03:01 PM	#6
Hutch Registered User Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Grapevine, Tx. Posts: 2,142	Trust me the new aftermarket ones are the way to go. If you are in Fort Worth check out old aire. http://www.oldairproducts.com/ I totally rebuilt my original unit and switched to 134A and it is marginal at best. Cost nearly a grand If I had it to do over again I would go aftermarket. Just my opinion There is also another guy that offers kits and installation that is located off 820 and trinity in business park there, A boardmember listed his name about a month back you might be able to search the archives or post the question on the board. Have fun __________________ 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

02-12-2003, 12:10 PM	#4
ccsrcr Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Lorton,VA Posts: 201	I am with you guys, I think the aftermarket may be the way to go. Not to mention the firewall is much cleaner looking. So which one would you guys recommend. Old air, or vintage air , or ?



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