Aftermarket A/C who to use?

[pat565]

Can I use a aftermarket A/C, like Old Air, without mods to my firewall?

My cab is back from paint, and now I'm thinking about adding the A/C.

So much for planning ahead!


Pat

[Pkh66]

Vintage air hands down. Bolts in to firewall, easy install and will freeze you out. I even like the utilization of the factory controls for non air trucks works very well. Best add to my truck so far.
Posted via Mobile Device

[big_al_71]

I went with Classic auto air we installed it three years ago and in the miami heat it blows 38 degrees all day long zero issues and it also uses the factory non air controls.

[domeier]

I'm just finishing the Old Air install. I wouldn't recommend it.

[71meangreenc10]

Is your cab an AC cab now?

Smitty

[FL71C10]

Al,

Is that the company it Tampa?

Originally Posted by big_al_71

I went with Classic auto air we installed it three years ago and in the miami heat it blows 38 degrees all day long zero issues and it also uses the factory non air controls.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Been very happy with my Vintage Air kit. Just make sure to have good cooling for the engine, i had to step up to a 4 row radiator to keep my truck cool in traffic.

[NC67Chev]

Originally Posted by domeier

I'm just finishing the Old Air install. I wouldn't recommend it.

I haven't installed a/c yet, but I'm curious about your Old Air experience. Anything specific you don't care for?

[pat565]

Originally Posted by 71meangreenc10

Is your cab an AC cab now?

Smitty

Non Air cab

[domeier]

Originally Posted by NC67Chev

I haven't installed a/c yet, but I'm curious about your Old Air experience. Anything specific you don't care for?

1) The in-cab module that contains the blower, heater and evaporator cores is pretty cheesy and cheap. It's made of thin ABS plastic, and I'm dreading the day some passenger accidentally kicks it.

2) The amount of heat the unit provides seems to be about 50% of what my original Chevy heater put out, and the defrost is just pitiful. Have to drive with the wing vents open to keep from fogging the windshield. It's okay for California, but it wouldn't fly in a real winter.

I haven't charged it with r134, so can't comment on the air con yet. If it turns out anywhere near as underwhelming as the heater, I'll rip the whole thing out and put my stock heater back in.

Their customer service people treated me good, so I don't mean to bash up on 'em up too hard... but it's a system that I'd say belongs better in some torched-up custom hot rod than a daily driving vehicle. When I spend heavy cash to upgrade my Chevy truck, I expect the replacement system to be of about the same quality as the thing I'm replacing. This thing is basically a cheap toy.

Hope I'm not being too subtle!

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by FL71C10

Al,

Is that the company it Tampa?

yes!!!

[gearys 5600]

I have used Vintage Air in a few different old cars & trucks that I have built with no issues on any of them. I will not use anything else.

[jtp67-72]

Originally Posted by domeier

1) The in-cab module that contains the blower, heater and evaporator cores is pretty cheesy and cheap. It's made of thin ABS plastic, and I'm dreading the day some passenger accidentally kicks it.

2) The amount of heat the unit provides seems to be about 50% of what my original Chevy heater put out, and the defrost is just pitiful. Have to drive with the wing vents open to keep from fogging the windshield. It's okay for California, but it wouldn't fly in a real winter.

I haven't charged it with r134, so can't comment on the air con yet. If it turns out anywhere near as underwhelming as the heater, I'll rip the whole thing out and put my stock heater back in.

Their customer service people treated me good, so I don't mean to bash up on 'em up too hard... but it's a system that I'd say belongs better in some torched-up custom hot rod than a daily driving vehicle. When I spend heavy cash to upgrade my Chevy truck, I expect the replacement system to be of about the same quality as the thing I'm replacing. This thing is basically a cheap toy.

Hope I'm not being too subtle!

If u haven't charged system yet, that's why defrost is fogging--air is dehumidifyed by compressor engaged in defrost mode--won't help air flow though......jim

[domeier]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

If u haven't charged system yet, that's why defrost is fogging--air is dehumidifyed by compressor engaged in defrost mode--won't help air flow though......jim

Right, but not on the no-ac trucks. My old no-ac defroster worked pretty good; the new one bites. And now that you mention it, I think the Old Air control for engaging the compressor is the cold side of the temp lever. It won't run the compressor if you have heat selected... if I remember right. Have to look at that tomorrow.

[domeier]

One more thing: The heat and air-con vents are shared underdash units, so when you're running heat, it blows at your belly with nothing going to the floor. I wish I'd noticed this *before* I plunked my money down.

[jtp67-72]

Originally Posted by domeier

Right, but not on the no-ac trucks. My old no-ac defroster worked pretty good; the new one bites. And now that you mention it, I think the Old Air control for engaging the compressor is the cold side of the temp lever. It won't run the compressor if you have heat selected... if I remember right. Have to look at that tomorrow.

my vintage air runs comp. on defrost like most cars made today--not familar with Old Air---hope u get it figured out................jim

[domeier]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

my vintage air runs comp. on defrost like most cars made today--not familar with Old Air---hope u get it figured out................jim

Thanks for the encouragement. I'm really disgusted right now. I hadn't even thought about compressor-on defrost until you brought it up. I think what I'll do is junk the Old Air compressor switch on the temp lever and mount a separate switch so I can run the compressor for defrost.

Man, the thing just wasn't thought out very well. Kicking myself!

[Scottshotrods]

VINTAGE AIR 100% they are a direct bolt for your year truck on 67-72 and the new genIV you cannot go wrong with it.It will freeze you in the summer and make you sweat in the cold winters.The best this thing about this we have some killer deals on these kits and we have sold several dozens of these kits to members on this site.

Does that sound like sales pitch Yes it does we want to take care of all members on this site.You are all chevy guys and gals

Justin

[pat565]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

VINTAGE AIR 100% they are a direct bolt for your year truck on 67-72 and the new genIV you cannot go wrong with it.It will freeze you in the summer and make you sweat in the cold winters.The best this thing about this we have some killer deals on these kits and we have sold several dozens of these kits to members on this site.

Does that sound like sales pitch Yes it does we want to take care of all members on this site.You are all chevy guys and gals

Justin

Send me a quote then!

[Scottshotrods]

What motor are you running in yur truck ?

Is your truck a factory air truck ? yes or no

Do you have a factory controller for the air or heat

Are you running v-belts or serpitine belt

Let me know on these I will send you a p/m with the prices

Justin

[Pkh66]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

VINTAGE AIR 100% they are a direct bolt for your year truck on 67-72 and the new genIV you cannot go wrong with it.It will freeze you in the summer and make you sweat in the cold winters.The best this thing about this we have some killer deals on these kits and we have sold several dozens of these kits to members on this site.

Does that sound like sales pitch Yes it does we want to take care of all members on this site.You are all chevy guys and gals

Justin

Agreed, 100%. People are amazed how cold it is and I live in Dallas where it was over 100 degrees for 2 months. I don't even need tinted windows it's so cold inside.
Posted via Mobile Device

[Pkh66]

Originally Posted by jtp67-72

my vintage air runs comp. on defrost like most cars made today--not familar with Old Air---hope u get it figured out................jim

Mine does as well. Found that out today with the heat on. Awesome system. Have one in my chevelle too! Both non ac car controls and really like the control system.
Posted via Mobile Device

[jtp67-72]

Very COOL units!!!............jim

[pat565]

Originally Posted by Scottshotrods

What motor are you running in yur truck ?

Is your truck a factory air truck ? yes or no

Do you have a factory controller for the air or heat

Are you running v-belts or serpitine belt

Let me know on these I will send you a p/m with the prices

Justin

5.3 L33 LS from a 2005 silverado

Not a factory air cab

Factory controller for heat, yes I have

Serpintine belt. I have the LS engine in the frame with the factory LS brackets and compressor still on the engine.

[Scottshotrods]

Originally Posted by pat565

5.3 L33 LS from a 2005 silverado

Not a factory air cab

Factory controller for heat, yes I have

Serpintine belt. I have the LS engine in the frame with the factory LS brackets and compressor still on the engine.

P/m sent this morning

Justin