a/c new or old?

[mothertrucker424]

i am retoring my truck but not to factory spec. but it wasn't equipped with A/C and i would like to get it should i buy a aftermarket kit or go through and pull all parts from junk trucks? (i'd buy some parts new like comp., condensor, lines, and evap.) but pull vents and brackets and would i need to pull the box out too or are they the same?? i got lots of questions what is ya'lls opinion

[70GMCer]

You'll be happier and better off buying the new systems they have out now.

[Andy4639]

If you aren't worried about it looking factory I would go with a aftermarket unit. Saves time and money in the long run. Myself I wanted a factory looking system to begin with, and now I have a mix of stuff.

[mothertrucker424]

ok so is vintage air the company to go with or is there a better one

[72freak]

You will probably be happier with a newer system and on the inside they look stock. Best of both worlds Under the hood will be the only non stock looking items. You want good AC.....especially in Fl.

Vintage would be my forst choice!!

[mothertrucker424]

i have talked to them a few shows looks good

[mothertrucker424]

were is best place to buy??

[mrein3]

I respectfully disagree with everybody on this one.
If you have the stuff on a junk truck already, there is no way it will be cheaper to dole out $1000+ dollars on an aftermarket system.

Using old parts you need:
A new receiver dryer. about $30.
New o-rings for your old system. about $10.
Adjust your POA. Free. http://www.autoacforum.com/messagevi...AR_MSGDBTABLE=

Now with the $960 you saved by not buying a new system, buy an evacuation pump. You can use it on your truck and to do future service on all the vehicles you own new or old. About $200 - $300.

After all this, you have, in my humble opinion, a better operating system. All the newer cars I have with the cycle on/off compressors don't come close to the performance I'm getting out of my old GM POA style systems.

NOTE I didn't add the price of refrigerant. That cost is the same no mater what system you go with.

One more note. I don't know what it is like where you live but up here in the snow belt, Wal*Mart moves the R134a refrigerant to the clearance rack this time of year and can be had for $3.50 per can.

[mothertrucker424]

i got evac. mach. and freon but no parts truck i can get parts and your saying original A/C was top notch compared to new aftermarket i could probally get all parts for 500 not sure

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by mothertrucker424

i got evac. mach. and freon but no parts truck i can get parts and your saying original A/C was top notch compared to new aftermarket i could probally get all parts for 500 not sure

Do you have R12? If so that small space you're cooling, your truck cab, R12 will freeze you out.

$500 is a little steep for a full used set-up. Remember too that if you have a non-A/C cab you have firewall mods to do in addition to front of the dash mods. I've done this mod. It isn't hard but it takes some time. The picture below has been posted here before and is what I used to modify my factory non-AC truck. Note that the yellow and red overlapping holes actually are the same hole. The picture isn't perfect but gives you an idea of what you have to modify. You need to add that backwards "L" looking piece and cut some for the yellow AC opening in addition to the extra hole for the heater core and the cowl flapper valve. There are dimples on the non AC cab to guide you for all holes you need to make.

When I did this mod I posted pictures but a just did a quick search and couldn't find it.

If you're looking at $500 and all those mods, you need to start thinking aftermarket - depending on if you have more time or more money.

[see ten]

I've got Vintage Air surefit systems on both of my trucks. I've also helped install them on a couple other guys rides. It's the only way to go in my opinion. I wasn't concerned with mine appearing factory and I just felt buying used parts was just to hit or miss. Yep, dead on an $1100 hit on the wallet but I can start one in the morning and have it cooling by the evening. I have to figure that that's worth something. I've spent all summer trying to get the factory A/C on a Camaro working. Yeah I've spent way less on it but it's been a real headache getting it going. If you know of someone who has a factory A/C truck that everything is good on and all the parts are there, by all means buy it if you feel it's a bargain. I seriously doubt I would ever try to repair one. As a matter of fact, I'm helping a buddy with a project where we just ripped out all the factory A/C parts and threw them away. We didn't feel it was worth the trouble to see what was missing/defective. Had it been all there and functional we would have left it I'm sure.

[72BlckButy]

with see ten. With the new systems, you can't go wrong.

[Andy4639]

This is the company I ordered mine from. Very helpful and friendly. They even sent way more stuff than I needed but wanted to make sure I had all the right connections for the job.

http://www.classicautoair.com/Carofmonth.asp

[b&a72]

I also agree with see ten I just purchased a cab that had all of the factory ac items and I ripped it all out and I am purchasing the vintage air kit, also the looks of a shaved firewall as opposed to the big bulky box on there is better looking IMHO. Knowing everything is new and not having to fix junk is also priceless on a complete restore.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Here's what's involved in the install for a vintage air system. It ended up costing me about $1,500, ($1150 for system, $70 for system charge, $200 new 4 core radiator, $60 to rebuild A/C controller.)

http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=249479

It'll freeze you in the middle of summer. Mine worked well in even 110 degree carolina weather.

[70cst]

In my 70cst I am rebuilding the factory ac system verses purchasing the Vintage air. Why? Because I wanted to keep my truck looking the way that it left the factory. With that said...if the factory look wasn't an issue than I would have gone with Vintage air. I am not sure what the cost differrence will be but for me it was important to keep my 70cst as close to original as possible with the exception of mechanical improvements such as the brakes, 2:-4" drop etc. No matter what direction that you go...if its your decision it will be the right decision. Good Luck .

[cdowns]

i'd go with new just for the fact that the old costs more in MPG to run the system so the cost of the system comes down alot with a daily driver type of vehicle

[Hart_Rod]

*** Definitely NEW!! ***

Quicker and easier and I bet you save money in the long run. JMHO.

R/

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by mrein3

Do you have R12? If so that small space you're cooling, your truck cab, R12 will freeze you out...

Yikes! Isn't R12 like around $40.00 per pound?

The Delco compressor on the orginal system weighed in at about 40lbs as I recall and chewed an awful lot of horsepower compared to modern choices.

And the small cab! Is it just me or does the fact the windows are so close together allow more of a greenhouse type of effect than say, a sedan?
In any case the 67-72's have insulative properties of a tuna can!

Anyhow, my choice would be an Old Air system.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd go with new just for the fact that the old costs more in MPG to run the system so the cost of the system comes down alot with a daily driver type of vehicle

I can never tell if your being a smart ass or not, but with my VA kit I only saw a loss of 1/2 mpg with it running

[cdowns]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

I can never tell if your being a smart ass or not, but with my VA kit I only saw a loss of 1/2 mpg with it running

when i had my factory air the cost was closer to 2mpg on the highway more around town

[70cst]

Originally Posted by cdowns

i'd go with new just for the fact that the old costs more in MPG to run the system so the cost of the system comes down alot with a daily driver type of vehicle

Thats a good point...whether you loose 1/2mpg or 2 mpg it's something to digest. But living in the midwest I would guess there are fewer days where we used the ac verses the open windows. We do get our hot/humid days but just not as many as down south. I think?

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by cdowns

when i had my factory air the cost was closer to 2mpg on the highway more around town

Ok, so that time you were serious

Thanks for the info. Glad I went with VA then! A 1.5 mpg difference saved me $180 this year

[72freak]

Originally Posted by mothertrucker424

were is best place to buy??

$960 on ebay