i'm moving to the desert... so, back to an a/c question

[Tfish]

Originally Posted by Tfish

On second thought... this might be just what you need! No cutting the dash and it would be removable just in case you move back to cooler climates!

Fixed the picture...

[61_FL_Apache]

Originally Posted by Tfish

Fixed the picture...

That one is a classic!!

[lakeroadster]

Hey Jocko, saw this on Ebay today and thought about your quest for in-cab coolness.

Prett slick. You could do this and allow the dash to remain factory stock, yet still get the job done for air. I personally think the extension to the dash makes it look better by giving it more vertical height.

Here's the link to Ebay... nice truck, dig that new billet "retro look" steering wheel too. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...18#post4517718

[Martin64]

I went through last summer in the Imperial Valley fairly well without a/c in my truck. Given the option of driving my truck without a/c or riding my motorcycle, the truck was way more comfortable. We had temps that averaged about 115. I would have liked to have had a/c last summer and I'm not relishing the thought of this upcoming summer, but it's livable. A cloth seat cover is a must as well a blind for the windshield (the steering wheel gets extremely hot!).

Long sleeves and keeping hydrated really helped alot too!

[rbar]

Vintage air has control knobs that look like the factory air knobs. I'll be using their knobs, their evaporator, and the factory center vents.
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[jocko]

there was one listed on ebay last week for $50 (for the vent, the air box behind it and the control levers). That was a steal in my book, but it got pulled from ebay with 4 days+ remaining, so I never got the chance to bid. I am guessing someone made an offer he couldn't refuse. Note $50 was the starting bid - no idea what it would have gone up to - I believe the vents are normally worth anywhere from $50 up to several hundred $. But I've been looking for some time with no luck, so will probably have to do the a/c mod with below dash vents (if I choose to not hack my dash) and then upgrade later if I ever happen to stumble onto the factory a/c vent for sale.

Tfish - for some reason I can't see the picture you are posting - but I'm assuming it's the vintage air under-dash old-school looking unit?? Or something like it. If so, I do like those, but then I saw one installed in a 64-66 cab and noted just how far they stick out into the pax compartment and decided i didn't want to go that route - just personal pref. But they do have a nice old school mid-60's look to them. Anyhoo, the search continues! Thanks for all the posts gents, great info and great questions. And I think we spawned a few more threads on the subj in the process. I'm still mulling the hidden a/c vent behind a dummy ash tray door, I kinda like that suggestion!!!

[65stepside]

I had a guy locally offer me $40 for this piece, haven't gotten back to him yet. Its not perfect. Has some holes by the bow tie. Is that a good price based on its condition? thanks for the help. Its been sitting in a box forever that I was gonna use for wall art in my shop, just thought it looked cool, thats why I didn't trash it when I ripped my truck apart.

[Clyde65]

can you tell if it is aluminum or is it some kind of pot metal? I may be interested in it, could I get some more pics please?

[Tfish]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

can you tell if it is aluminum or is it some kind of pot metal? I may be interested in it, could I get some more pics please?

It's all plastic including the side vents, the center vent is the only metal part aside from back mounting screws
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[jocko]

AH! Thanks. My bad, that's NOT the vintage air unit I was talkin about....

[Tfish]

Originally Posted by jocko

AH! Thanks. My bad, that's NOT the vintage air unit I was talkin about....

Yeah I know the unit you're talking about and am not a fan either. They are way too bulky and protrude into the cabin area. I'm sure those were cool back in the day as an add-on option but with today technology and tons of aftermarket products for our vehicles there's no reason to settle for something like that.

[jocko]

Thanks LakeRoadster and Martin - I do like the red truck set up, I might be able to get my creative itch scratched by fabbing something up. Thanks for posting that, gives me some ideas. Imperal valley and Indian Wells valley are very similar - and you're right, the only thing hotter than the non-a/c truck is a motorcycle. Being in the military, we pretty much have to wear an armor suit to be legal (i.e. if we want to be covered by military medical insurance if we get in an accident) - so they've succeeded in discouraging many from every buying one and many of those that had them sold them for this very reason. I hung onto mine, will retire someday and then I can ride how I want I guess. Then again, I don't want to make hamburger out of myself if I wreck, so will probably retire to a slightly cooler climate... or not. Anyhoo. Will be nice to jump in an a/c truck to cool off. Unfortunately, a/c is project #3. #1/2 are trans and disk brakes, respectively! Summer's comin though, maybe I should do a/c first.

[Slow Build]

Originally Posted by jocko

Thanks LakeRoadster and Martin - I do like the red truck set up, I might be able to get my creative itch scratched by fabbing something up.

Does anybody know if that lower panel is available ready built (with or without AC vents). I like the way it looks and it hides more of the under dash area. I'm hoping somebody fabricates these for our trucks.

[Slow Build]

How about a passenger right ear cooler. Doubt it works too well but no cutting and it's removable.