Looking for guys w/vintage air

[randomhero472]

Im trying to figure out what all comes w/the "sure-fit" kit, and what else im going to need... I have a non-a/c cab, and non-a/c heater control.. what setups do you guys have... i almost like the idea of vintage air's billet controller some people use. Any pics and info would be greatly appreciated, last, whos got the best deals on these kits? thanks

[randomhero472]

also... anybody w/vent setup pics would be awesome, anything from original to billet stuff would be great!

[67ChevyRedneck]

I'm about to order one myself. The price seems to be pretty standard... $1,095 for the sure fit kit, which according to the website comes with everything but the belt and refrigerant. I think you'd actually save some $$ ordering straight from them because the place in SC I was going to go through had the same price as vintage air, but I was also going to have to pay shipping and taxes.... so I'm going to order straight from vintage air.

[see ten]

I have the sure fit in both of my trucks and have helped two other members install the same in their trucks recently. The kit does include everything but the belt, pulleys and refrigerant. You are really going to want the kit for a non-air truck that uses factory air controls. This will add the cost of factory A/C controls (plus the bracket for them) to the project but I feel it is well worth it. Using this kit will give you a cable operated valve in the heater hose that allows some control over the air temps. If you use the kit which uses the non-air controls you're going to have a vaccum operated valve that is either open or closed(no temp adjustment). I have installed one of each of these kits in my trucks and believe me when I say the factory A/C control setup is the way to go. I also purchased my kits directly from Vintage Air. I couldn't find anyone that was significantly cheap enough to justify having to go through a middle man if I ever had a problem.

These are pics that I had on file. Some of them show the ac pretty well and some not so good.

[67ChevyRedneck]

See Ten, I have a factory air controller that I bought for my truck (and plan to buy the "sure fit kit, factory controls, non air truck" kit.) What bracket are you referring to for the air controller?

Also, can I use the heater control cables with the air controller?

[Mrboson1]

Nice

[randomhero472]

well i talked to vintage air, told me the sure-fit kit is definatly the way to go, and seems like it comes w/just about everything... my only other question is i'll be running power steering, water-pump and a/c compressor, is there a way to get new 3 groove pully for the crank, and 2 groove pully for my water pump??

[see ten]

The holes for the factory A/C controls are a different width apart than non air controls. Supposedly this is because the controls were used in other vehicles besides these trucks. All the bracket does is screw to the factory A/C controls and then the screws that go through the dash will screw in to the bracket. If you can't find one Vintage Air will sell you one for less than a ten spot. I have also seen people fab up their own bracket, but for that price I just bought one. Do a search on the parts board for A/C controllers and look at the pics. It seems like member Orange had some pics of some controllers he had for sale recently where you could see the bracket still screwed to the controls. As far as using your cables goes, the Vintage Air kit will have the cables already mounted to the box that goes under the dash. So yes their cables are going to work with any factory A/C controller. As far as pulleys go any vendor should be able to sell you some. I went with March Performance underdrive pullies on my last application. The first ones came from Summit.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Thanks see ten (sorry for the hijack )

I already have the pulleys, I'll have to check the controller I have to see if it has the bracket on it? I think I'll order my kit tomorrow...

[see ten]

If your controller doesn't have the bracket, get Vintage Air to throw one in the box with your Surefit kit!

[71see10]

Best thing I bought for my truck,thanks to asa (seeten) that kit is worth every penny and I want make it on asa's tv program (dont listen to me) inside joke. Heres a few pics of mine!!

[randomhero472]

anyone have a part # for the passenger sides alt bracket, or a set they'd want to part with, i want to keep the compressor on the passenger side, also i'm having the firewall shaved and will need bulkhead fittings, is that somthing im going to have to purchase seperatly??

[kevncar]

seeten, thanks for all the great info AND PICS!!! This forum is the greatest. ON further question, being that you've installed a couple of these.

Is there enough slack in hoses or whatever to use one of the slicker looking billet bulkheads or something to eliminate the look of that crappy plastic cover. I'd really rather shave my fire wall of all the factory holes and at least get the hoses up behind the inner fender and run them up behind the I.F. to the compressor.

What do ya think? Possible?

thanks

[kevncar]

71see10,

That's not a factory tach is it? What did it come out of?

Looks great.

[randomhero472]

how is the quality of these air vents, and how well does the air flow??

[cameeks]

Carlos said that they were smaller then factory restricting the flow. I'm going to buy all new factory style vents to have the larger diameter holes. I also have some templates if Carlos is going to mount them for you.

[Draggn66]

I ordered my Vintage Air kit from www.yogisinc.com. $985 plus $25 shippng. And I agree with SEE TEN You will want the kit for a non-air truck that uses factory air controls.

Here's a pic with the vents installed before I finished the interior.

[sleepyboy]

I went with the sure fit kit (had a non-ac cab). I ordered the factory controls because mine was hosed; wished I would have put the aftermarket never one in sometimes, but overall, there was really nothing I needed beyond the kit besides standard tools (well, a hole saw blade to cut the dash). I live in the San Antonio area, so when I figured out my hose length, I took them in the get crimped. If you live elsewhere, you can mail them to the company, and they will return them. Buying the crimping hose tool is BIG $. It did take me a while to figure out new brackets. I didn't like the one with the kit, I went with zoops, a little shinier compared to the manifold bracket supplied with the kit.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Draggin66: I checked their site, it's up to 1,095, just like everyone else. I think that was last year's price, and they raised it this year

see ten: is the bracket you're referring to bolted to the bottom of the controller, like in this pic?

[see ten]

Yes those are the correct brackets for the controllers. And I don't know Carlos but I hate to tell him even if you use factory vents the hose is the same size until it reaches the vent. An adapter is put on the hoses so they can slip on the factory vents. The vents that come with the system move plenty of air. When I wear my old aloha shirts it makes those old butterfly collars fly up and hit my ears! I 'm pretty sure the hose lengths are setup to use with the plastic cover that comes with the surefit system. I don't know if they will work with any other bulkhead. I would suggest calling vintage air and talking to a tech about it. If I was going to try to hide the hoses I would do them like Kevin (Rockcrln) did on project lemon drop and run em through the kick panel area. You are going to have to have a 3 groove crank and a 2 groove water pump when you go with Vintage Air. Oh and the tach in the green truck is a 2nd generation Camaro Tach. See if this link works for a little demo of the airflow and tach.

[jorgensensc]

I had VA in my '72. I will get the same for my '68. I loved the system! I took mine back to the guy I bought them from to crimp on the hose ends. I will definately buy it again!!!
Shawn

[randomhero472]

awesome info guys.. i really do appreciate it!

[72CSTC5]

Originally Posted by cameeks

Carlos said that they were smaller then factory restricting the flow. I'm going to buy all new factory style vents to have the larger diameter holes. I also have some templates if Carlos is going to mount them for you.

You are not referring to me are you because I do not have any experience with these aftermarket a/c systems at all.
Carlos

[cameeks]

Originally Posted by 72CSTC5

You are not referring to me are you because I do not have any experience with these aftermarket a/c systems at all.
Carlos

I must have miss understood then I thought you said the aftermerket vents were smaller then the factory and restricted the air flow. My bad. Going to save me some cash then.