Air conditioning systems

[Wootdog]

Which system do you folks have? Which takes up the less amount of room inside the cab? I want a flush mount in the engine compartment. And I would like to use the factory controls or something around that size. My whole dash has been filled in so the controls would be in the console I am going to build. Any inputs would be appreciated. Kerry

[Wootdog]

And of course the price for everything if you know it. Thanks again. Kerry

[ChevyDude]

Vintage Air was the winner in the last post about AC, If I'm not mistaken Old Air was the close runner up.

[stickshift_or_walk]

Wootdog,

I'm in the process of installing an Old Air system in the '69. I bought mine from Tim Christian, but each package is different so you'd best call him for a price. I do know it was substantially cheaper than going directly to Old Air.

The kit provides flat block-off plates for the engine-side firewall, with nothing protruding from the area except the 4 lines to the inside unit. It's a much neater install than factory, especially under the hood.

I'm also pleased with the under-dash unit, which is also smaller than original. The plastic glove box is a great replacement, too.

Although it was a non-A/C cab, we are using a factory A/C control panel. Old Air can provide either setup. To move the control to a center console, extending the wires shouldn't be any problem, but the control cables may be kinda tricky. I don't know if Old Air or Vintage air provide any setups with non-mechanical controls.

Of course, this doesn't say squat about how it cools. Check with me next July for that one...

I can post some semi-installed pics later this week if that would help.

SSOW

[Wootdog]

Pics would be great. Thanks, Kerry

[mocwon]

Kerry,

Here are the pictures of the mocked up AC/heater control panel you asked about. Hope this helps. Greg

[Wootdog]

That will give me some more ideas. Kerry

[stickshift_or_walk]

Here's a few pics that may be relevant to the thread. (Attn: Wootdog, Grendel).

First, a shot of the engine-side firewall with the OA blockoff plates. You can also see from the paint pattern the outline of the old box. Next time it's warm enough, we'll kill the rest of the green. The big wire loom coming through the firewall is audio wiring - not part of the system.



The next pic shows the OA unit (heater and A/C combined) attached to the interior firewall. Again, ignore the wires on the right side - not part of the system. You're looking mostly through the glovebox hole.



Here's a shot of the side and center vents and other various parts. We opted for the non-factory side vents and the center vent under the dash.



This is the plastic replacement glovebox. Definitely an improvement over stock.



The pressure hoses, dryer canister, and A4 compressor adapter plate are still in the box.



We're using a factory A/C control panel, and OA has parts to convert it or the stock heater control to work the new unit.



This last pic shows the OA contact switch we added to the rear of the A/C control panel. It fastens with the two hex head screws.



So far, we've been pleased with the quality of the setup and the instructions are good, but could use more pics.

Hope this helps your decision.

SSOW

[Wootdog]

That is very imformative. Kerry

[ChevyDude]

Anyone have a similar pictures and set up of Vintage Air?? Might be nice to see a comparison???

[71RestoRod]

I'm in the process of installing a Vintage Air. Don't know when I'll be finished but I'll follow up with some pics. There appears to be quite a few differences between VA and OA... w/ pros and cons on both sides.

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

And then there's the Classic Auto Air sure fit kit that blows them both away.

[71RestoRod]

Originally Posted by MOTHERTRUCKERS

And then there's the Classic Auto Air sure fit kit that blows them both away.

Tell us why.

[ChevyDude]

I too would like to know why Classic Auto Air blows them away....I've never heard of it???

[john]

Found this with google search. John
http://www.classictrucksweb.com/tech/0408cl_air/

[70 shorty]

Hey Wootdog, isn't it too cold in VA right now to be worrying about A/C in VA? LOL. I guess now is actually the perfect time to get it ready since spring will be here before you know it.

[72BLAZERDUDE]

I am getting ready to buy and would like to know why the Classic Auto Air system is better.

[junkyardjohn]

Originally Posted by 72BLAZERDUDE

I am getting ready to buy and would like to know why the Classic Auto Air system is better.

ME TOO ... CMON ED.. IF INDEED THIS IS A SUPERIOR AIR SETUP, EXPLAIN WHY & THE PRICE, & MAYBE YOU CAN SELL A FEW SETS. HAVE YOU INSTALLED ANY SETS?? JOHN

[Nightrider]

tell us why.... I need 2 systems, one for a 71 burb and a blazer

[Wootdog]

He had the old heater area filled except for four holes in a row horizontal to each. It is a piece of aluminum, and he stated that it was either old air or vintage air. He then sold the setup before I acquired the truck. Yes it is kinda cold in Virginia right now, but that would seem to be the right time to buy air conditioning systems at a slight discount. Besides, that could be my Christmas present to me. Kerry

[MOTHERTRUCKERS]

I am not a dealer for any aftermarket air conditioning companies but have seen and heard the different ac systems available and the quality of the Classic unit is by far the best there is, it cools faster,heats faster,it is quietier running and the fact that if you have trouble down the road it is a serviceable not glued together case. I have not installed them, I take the truck to them in Tampa and they do the install. Check them out www.classicautoair.com

[ChevyDude]

I went to their site and it looked very nice. Scrolled down and found the info I was looking for:

20. 1967-72 Chevy / GMC truck:
System: $1,095.00 Part # (134a) 20-210 (R-12) 20-203
Evaporator kit: $575.00 Part # 1-1033
Condenser kit: $239.90 Part # 11-2022
Uses original heater control panel.
Options: Adapter kit to install system in factory A/C truck. $59.00 Part# 1-1503 Dash vent choices (3).
1. Under dash (no up charge).
2.In dash. Classic Air ball vents (no up charge).
3. Reproduction factory A/C ball vents. Ball housing available black (paint to match dash) or chrome. Balls chrome only. Choice 3 add $99.00.
Reproduction of original chrome center vent is standard equipment on both in dash choices!

[4x4Poet]

Wait a second. Does that Old Air unit draw air from within the cab only or does it draw fresh air from the cowl vent like the factory A/C does?

Just as an obvious reminder, the factory A/C blower is mounted in the engine compartment behind the hood hinge. So it draws fresh air thru a hole in the cowl cavity that has the vents above that we often place screens under.

If the Old Air, Vintage Air, or Classic Auto Air units all draw air from under the dash inside the vehicle, it will recirculate the moisture, carbon dioxide, and odor from one's breath. Neither healthy nor pleasant. And I'll leave other orifices alone.

Someone please correct what I hope is a huge misconception on my part.

[stickshift_or_walk]

Poet,

I see no apparent way that the OA system draws outside air. On the pic above, the intake for the system is on the lower right, facing the kick panel vent. This is a non/AC truck, so it will have the manual vent levers in place, making it pretty simple to pull in some fresh air if needed.

However, I doubt that there will be much of a problem since these trucks aren't really that airtight, anyway.

Guess we'll find out come summer...

SSOW

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by stickshift_or_walk

Poet,

I see no apparent way that the OA system draws outside air. ...
However, I doubt that there will be much of a problem since these trucks aren't really that airtight, anyway.

Guess we'll find out come summer...

SSOW

I'm getting ready to shoehorn an OA in mine. I've never heard of anyone having a fresh air problem either. In fact, some guys I know actually seal their floor vents to make the cab more air tight! Summer in Arizona; it's like driving in a blow dryer!