I'm Looking for factory air for my 1966 k10

[Bob'sK10CHEVY]

Does anybody know where i can find a complete factory air setup for my 1966 k10 pickup?

[Clyde65]

No such animal, Factory air didnt come into play until 70 ( I think). There are some trucks that got dealer added air, some had the ash tray cut out and a vent assembly installed in there, others got the dash "hang on" air. I dont think any 60-66 truck even came with factory heaters, all dealer add on.

[lakeroadster]

Originally Posted by Clyde65

No such animal, Factory air didnt come into play until 70 ( I think). There are some trucks that got dealer added air, some had the ash tray cut out and a vent assembly installed in there, others got the dash "hang on" air. I dont think any 60-66 truck even came with factory heaters, all dealer add on.

Factory heaters were standard equipment, they even had upgradeable "optional" heaters. I am sure others will chime in here shortly.

[j.kirn]

wow dont answer a question you dont know of come on heaters were factory and so was ac in the 60-66 trucks

[65ChevyUtah]

I believe this is the factory Air setup he is looking for. Correct me if I am wrong.

[jocko]

66chevutah - when someone says "factory" air for a 66 C10, that's exactly what pops up in my mind - but to answer the original question - yes, there is such an animal as factory a/c - I have been looking also, and I don't know anyone that makes the dash a/c outlet - I was hoping to install a newer system and patch it to a factory set-up in the cab. So far, I 've found zilch.

Which, by the way, is why I'm headed to Carlisle the weekend of 6-8 August - it's the Carlisle Truck only show. If I find 2, I'll grab them and share, but I'm not holding my breath that I'll even find 1. Will probably just come home with another pair of fuzzy dice and a stomach ache from all the elephant ears and chili dogs...

and that's ok.

[65ChevyUtah]

Originally Posted by jocko

66chevutah - when someone says "factory" air for a 66 C10, that's exactly what pops up in my mind - but to answer the original question - yes, there is such an animal as factory a/c - I have been looking also, and I don't know anyone that makes the dash a/c outlet - I was hoping to install a newer system and patch it to a factory set-up in the cab. So far, I 've found zilch.

Which, by the way, is why I'm headed to Carlisle the weekend of 6-8 August - it's the Carlisle Truck only show. If I find 2, I'll grab them and share, but I'm not holding my breath that I'll even find 1. Will probably just come home with another pair of fuzzy dice and a stomach ache from all the elephant ears and chili dogs...

and that's ok.

So you want to use the factory dash piece but have a new unit like R134a ? I bought that one in the picture for $100 last year out of a 66 motor home along with some perfect factory doors. and i am missing the dryer, compressor and condensor. I am thinking about doing the same thing maybe finding a later model a/c system at a wrecking yard.

[jocko]

a motor home!? Sneaky. I am going to keep my eyes peeled at Carlisle....

Yes, while not exactly the cheapest route - I think I'd go the extra mile of saving up for a Southern Air, or any of the many aftermarket mfgrs - and buy the kit (or even call to customize it) that came with the least (or no) interior parts other then the controller (i.e. skip the generic a/c outlet balls, etc) and then get all ingenuitous with it and fab up some custom flexi-hoses from the kit box outlet to the factory dash outlets. Nothing wrong with the kit a/c outlet balls - but I like the idea of it looking like a factory setup inside. If I can't find one - I did see a pretty neat setup in a recent Truck magazine article where the builder mounted the generic a/c outlets on hinges so that when the a/c was off, the outlets rotated back under the dash, out of the way. It was a pretty slick setup.

Oh yes, and I do realize ingenuitous is not a real word, but I like it.

[protrash64]

Yes, there is a factory set-up as mentioned by other posters. I saw one for sale in a 'burb a guy was hacking up. I had no use for it so I did not get it. It has a large evap housing that eats up quite a bit of space under the pass side of the dash/firewall. I spent some time looking 'cuz I hadn't seen one before. It was factory installed, not dealer.

There is also a control panel with slide levers(vertical) that operated the diverters; different than the previous pic.

[chevyguys]

Yes there is absolutely factory air for Chevrolet's ("factory" air was not available for GMC's) here are a few pictures of the cab and the air and heater boxes... I have been collecting these for years and have several complete sets. At this point I am not selling buy may in the future.

[chevyguys]

More pics of A/C...

[aerotruk63]

When you remove the center dash difuser and the opening has been punched out where the ashtray used to be, it would be factory, if it has squared corners it's usually dealer or jobber installed. If it was hacked in place, you must be a redneck!

[Bob'sK10CHEVY]

That's exactly what I'm looking for Chevyguys. I kinda had the same idea in mind as some of the other guys. I would like to keep the dash and under the hood looking completly stock but try and use a late model unit under the dash and tie it in to the original vent system.

[65ChevyUtah]

Originally Posted by chevyguys

More pics of A/C...

Thats the same setup I have. you don't happen to have a diagram for the wiring or how it all goes together do you ? I had to pull mine out in a hurry because the guy I bought it from was leaving his shop.

[Clyde65]

I have been messing with 64-66 Chevy trucks for 25 years and NEVER have I seen the pictures shown. I was mistaken, sorry guys.

[chevyguys]

Originally Posted by Bob'sK10CHEVY

That's exactly what I'm looking for Chevyguys. I kinda had the same idea in mind as some of the other guys. I would like to keep the dash and under the hood looking completly stock but try and use a late model unit under the dash and tie it in to the original vent system.

Here is the vent box that goes behind the center dash vent. Note that the cables pass right through the duct. I had looked at using a new under dash unit but I would have had to give up the glove box to make it work. I recently put a Vintage air unit in my 68 elco and used the unit to try and get an idea on how much space it would take. Final result was "Tight" very tight! I'm just going to use the factory air with a new sandon compressor and new condensor. The factory air setup worked really good so I see no need to change everything. Just going to rebuild all the components and use it!

[aerotruk63]

Two books or CD's you might look for
1964 or 65 or 66 Chevrolet Custom Accessories Installation Manual
1960-66 Chev/GMC Factory Assembly Instruction Manual.

[65ChevyUtah]

Originally Posted by aerotruk63

Two books or CD's you might look for
1964 or 65 or 66 Chevrolet Custom Accessories Installation Manual
1960-66 Chev/GMC Factory Assembly Instruction Manual.

Thank you. I will have to look at those books.

['65Burb]

I've got one of these animals that came with my '65 Burb. I was going to install something later, but then there was the matter of patching the huge firewall hole associated with it. So, now I would like to upgrade it using a Sanden compressor converting it all to the later refrigerant. Anyone know if this is feasible?

[rbar]

I have the factory set up from another vehicle. I plan to buy the Vintage air set up but use the factory vents above the radio and use Vintage air's knobs that look just like the originals. Vintage air told me that I could make the old unit work, but I would have to have some kind of conversion set up and it would run even less efficient than it did new. Hopefully that's good advice and not just leaning me towards buying their system. I do I like the electric controls and adjustability of a new unit and making the dash look original.