a/c new or old?

[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.

[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.