Heater Ducting. . .What???

[Mike Quillici]

My heater ducting is shot, and I'm going to replace it. I have a few questions, though:

- LMC sells two different types - plastic and OE, which do you recommend?
- Also, Classic Parts sells one type - I don't know what kind it is. Same price as the plastic ones from LMC though. Any thoughts?
- Are there any tricks to the duct replacement? I know I have to take the glove box out, but do I need to remove the instrument cluster too?
- It looks like the ducting just slides on to the registers. Is that right?

Thanks for sharing.

[mrein3]

When I got my truck in 1994, the ducting was all ripped up. I figured it was age and ordered OE stuff from LMC. I figured I had 20 years or so before it would rip again. WRONG. That stuff was shot right away.
I purchased plastic stuff from an auto parts store and so far so good.
Just last month I was working on my AC conversion. It was time to cut in the side and center AC duct openings and add the duct hose. I went looking for the plastic stuff at the auto parts store. Nobody carried it. It was made by Solder Seal/Gunk. I even checked their website. It was not listed on there.

I ended up at a Fleet Supply store and purchased 3" flexible ducting for bathroom fans. It appeared to be very similar to the Solder Seal/Gunk stuff I purchased so that is what I got for my AC ducting and to replace the LMC, OE stuff to my defrosters.

[msgross]

check with our board vendors... tim christian and bill Athey (pickupman) will have them with advice..

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/member.php?u=22

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=379417

[Longhorn Man]

i used the plastic stuff in my longhorn. I like how strong it is, but it is kinda hard to work with. I was going to go with the original stuff next time till reading mrein3's post. now I am second guessing that idea.

[Hart_Rod]

NAPA sells the plastic stuff by the foot....

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by Hart_Rod

NAPA sells the plastic stuff by the foot....

I bought some from NAPA before I went with the bathroom fan ducting. Nice material. Wrong size. They sell 2". You need 2-3/4" or the 3" bathroom stuff with a decent hose clamp.

[71 super]

I used original stuff in the bb and just bought a set of original type for the 68 and the 4x4, the stuff that i just bought is much easier to work with than it was 8 years ago. The early stuff ripped and was easily messed up, the set I just installed in the 68 went in easy and it actually fit the vents and the register. It is heavier than it was in the past and seems to be of better quality, plus it just looks right compared to the plastic. the cost has however increased quite a bit as well. I think LMC and others offer the plastic type for a/c for around $40/$45 and the OEM is about $65/70.

[pritch]

I got the O/E stuff from Athey. It fit just fine and was simple to install.

[Hart_Rod]

Originally Posted by mrein3

I bought some from NAPA before I went with the bathroom fan ducting. Nice material. Wrong size. They sell 2". You need 2-3/4" or the 3" bathroom stuff with a decent hose clamp.

I had them order the correct size. I think it was around $25 for 10 feet.

[cjthor]

Soo the heater ducting is 2-3/4 yes? How about for an AC truck? ALLLL mine is missing including the defroster ducts and I need to replace!

[Indyuke]

Hehe... I used bathroom ducting too - from home depot. It's strong and works rather well. It's the silvery heat shielded stuff. I imagine it makes all the heat come out the vents rather than bleed through the ducting walls.