AC And Heater Hose Question

[gag1025]

I am installing my Gen II Vintage Air system in my truck. I do not want to use the rubber hoses that came with the truck. I prefer to use SS or Nickle braided hoses. I talked to Justin at Scott's Hot Rods about using their Gotta Show system where they send you the kits (AC and Heater) you choose. You then mock up the hose length and fittings and send them back and they will crimp them for you. I also saw on the Vintage Air site that you can buy the hose by the foot as well as each compression fitting ans make the hose up yourself. This looks like the way to go because if and when you have a hose to blow out it is a matter of reusing the fittings (with a new insert) and new hoses instead of having to order another expensive crimped on hose assembly. I have never used braided SS hose and compression fittings. I would like your opinion on this. Thanks in advance for all input.

[Speedbumpauto]

I used the VA braided stuff with stainless fittings. Kind of scary to use if you're used to the Earls fittings, but the heater hose ones haven't leaked. Haven't charged the AC yet.

[parkwood]

Used the Gotta Show hoses on a car once and all i can say was they weren't hard to use but cost a ton... if i remember right for heat and a/c it was about $500..

[gag1025]

Vintage Air has a compression clamp system using Aeroquip fittings. Anyone used these with SS braided nylon hoses on the AC and heater systems? My question is how do they compare to the crimped on SS hoses in terms of not leaking.

[Speedbumpauto]

That's what I used. It felt a little funky to me going together compared to the Earls, etc., but the cooling system doesn't leak. Don't know about the AC yet. Also it isn't very flexible, so you have to plan your radius's well. Does look pretty but it do cost!

[gag1025]

Thanks Speedbumpauto. I guess anytime you do something new you like to hear from people who have already done it. Especially those that have been successful. Those people more than likely did it the right way. Hopefully I will hear more success stories.

[gag1025]

My solution is to have under the dash solid tubing lines made up by a place close to me with the correct screw fittings on the end (the VA ones have rubber hose ends on them) so that they will mate up with the Gotta Show SS fittings. When we do this I will send photos. I will also order the specific fittings and correct length of braided SS Teflon hose in the 3 sizes needed instead of the kit which will save me some money and there will be nothing left over as waste. I will order them from Justin at Scott's Hot Rods as well because he is one of us on our message board. I am sure Aeroquip compression fittings work well but since I have never used them on AC lines I am a little afraid of them leaking. I would like to hear from a lot of people who have used them over the years. They are neat and reusable so that is a big plus.