Modifying the AC box

[russgt]

On my 76 blazer, I no longer have working AC and was looking for some ideas as to how to modify the AC box on the firewall to make it smaller but still look decent. I know that swapping out the parts for the factory non-ac assembly and modifying the firewall to match it would probably be the cleanest way to do it but, I would like to try to make what I have work first.
ac

non-AC

[cfan10]

Not sure about your question, Also, is that a grider with a wire brush? Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

[68Timber]

Guys that swap a 6.5 turbo onto a 6.2 use an AC box off an 80's S10.

[J Knight]

Ive seen guys remove the evaporator core and trim the box flush with the fan mounting surface with fiberglass so they could still use the heater. Its a much cleaner look, dont have any pics thou.

[andrewmp6]

I think the 88-98 trucks had all the stuff under the dash you might get away with rigging that up and smoothing out the firewall on that side.

[motornut]

on my AC dead trucks i rip what i can out
but in the winter I do use the AC "high" setting on heat to warm up the cab quicker
so plumbing,and anything outside front of the air box goes

[russgt]

Originally Posted by cfan10

Not sure about your question, Also, is that a grider with a wire brush? Thanks.
Posted via Mobile Device

Yes its a grinder with a wire brush on it.

I am thinking along the lines of what Jknight and motornut said, a clean way to cut off all of the heater box that I no longer need.

[68 D88]

I just finished doing mine last night. It needs a final light sanding and then paint. It was a job. I have done it a little along over the last month in the evenings. You need to have a little experience with fiberglassing to make a good go of it. My box was half plastic and half fiberglass as removed from the truck. I created the basic structure of it using punched sheet metal from Lowes to that is used in framing roof trusses. The blower side was plastic, so one of the angled sections was heated and straightened. There was more labor involved than the $200 that is charged for aftermarket ones that delete the evaporater, but I have the satisfaction of having done it.

It will use the existing holes in the firewall, but a new one new hole will have to be drilled on the top left corner of the box above and to the right of the heater core lines.

[Pop's C-10]

That is slick..

[nekkidhillbilly]

vintage air unit will put it all in the dash

[madcow75]

Wow that excellent how did you get the fiberglass to look so perfect and smooth

[INSIDIOUS '86]

There is a company that makes ac delete boxes that look good I will post a link when I find them
Posted via Mobile Device

[andrewmp6]

I think you mean http://www.acdelete.com/pages/73-90_Truck.htm

[motornut]

Originally Posted by 68 D88

I just finished doing mine last night. It needs a final light sanding and then paint. It was a job. I have done it a little along over the last month in the evenings. You need to have a little experience with fiberglassing to make a good go of it. My box was half plastic and half fiberglass as removed from the truck. I created the basic structure of it using punched sheet metal from Lowes to that is used in framing roof trusses. The blower side was plastic, so one of the angled sections was heated and straightened. There was more labor involved than the $200 that is charged for aftermarket ones that delete the evaporater, but I have the satisfaction of having done it.

It will use the existing holes in the firewall, but a new one new hole will have to be drilled on the top left corner of the box above and to the right of the heater core lines.

very cool....havn't seen one done that nice before

[68 D88]

Thanks for the comments. I was able to get it so smooth on the exterior with a lot of determination and persistance - sand-glass-sand-glass-etc. If you have the money to spend, I'd recommend the one in the link provided, as it is well worth the $159.95 + $24.95 S/H. I have quite a bit of time tied up in mine, but enjoy a challenge from time to time.

[68 D88]

As "fun" as this was to make, I've about talked myself out of using it after this brutally humid and hot summer in middle Georgia. I'm probably going with a vintage air unit after I get this truck back up and running. Funny how plans change.

[WarBeard]

The one you made looks 10 times nicer than the $159 buck one. I wish you could make me one lol.