Anyone installed a Southern Air system?

[Gene]

I'm on the fence wether to buy a Vintage Air System from a dealer for 1300 shipped, or buy one from Southern Air for 879.00 Shipped. Ya I know the old saying you get what you pay for, but these units are direct from the manufacturer with no middleman. Tried to research it here and on the net but havent found anything that has told me to shy away from Southern Air. My paint and Body man swears by them and he said he has installed around 7 systems on different vehicles but never a pickup. So, ideas anyone?

[dennislbrooks]

another choice may be

Old Air Products
8744 Forum Way
Fort Worth, TX 76140

I used their product in my 67.

[TobyArnot]

Their stuff is usually pretty generic. Which set-up are you looking at? You do know that Southern Rod is a Vintage Air dealer? What do they know? Most of their display units are generic. In my case the PO installed an underdash system which I have managed to patch up and keep working.
http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air...system-351.php. Cools well, but it's noisy. Shop around and price shop the Vintage unit for a better deal.

[Gene]

Here is the unit, wouldn't call it generic? More like universal fit.http://www.southernrods.com/a-c-and-...ready-to-.html
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[Lattimer]

I ordered the unit from Classic Auto Air. They have their instruction manual on the webpage and its specific to our trucks, and didn't look too bad. It should show up in the next week or so.

[TobyArnot]

Originally Posted by Gene

Here is the unit, wouldn't call it generic? More like universal fit.http://www.southernrods.com/a-c-and-...ready-to-.html
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Hey Gene,
I took a look at that system. If you're comfortable with the hand fabrication that any universal kit would require, it looks like a pretty decent kit. Any type of fan (a.k.a. Spal clone) is a better choice than the dual squirrel cage (most underdash)..
I won't lie, I have an inside line at Vintage Air/Fort Worth and if I ever decide to upgrde, I will definetely go that way. Their stuff is first rate and you do get what you pay for. Shop around for V/A pricing

[Lemield]

Originally Posted by TobyArnot

Their stuff is usually pretty generic. Which set-up are you looking at? You do know that Southern Rod is a Vintage Air dealer? What do they know? Most of their display units are generic. In my case the PO installed an underdash system which I have managed to patch up and keep working.
http://www.nostalgicairparts.com/air...system-351.php. Cools well, but it's noisy. Shop around and price shop the Vintage unit for a better deal.

Toby...I got one of those in my CST. I think it's noisy too! I do like the retro look of it though.

[Clyde65]

Toby, FYI V/A is in San Antonio and Old Air Products is in Fort Worth.

I have the Old Air in my 65 ( yea I know) and it works perfectly, only thing I would like is floor heat, mine is out the vents, also mine is around 12 years old too. I bought mine because VA was so expensive and I live about 5 miles from the OAP warehouse/sales.

[TobyArnot]

I stand corrected, however my guy does work for V/A, even if I can't remember(?) where they are located. LOL

[Gene]

After much debate, I think i've decided to go with Vintage Air. The majority of people on here that have installed aftermarket AC systems reccomend VA. And a board member on here offers a system for a pretty good price. I can get a system shipped to me for around 1300.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Check the link in my signature. Might help your install go smoother

[Beetle]

Thinking of doing Southern Air, bout to pull the trigger on it! $842 shipped for an entire A/C and heat system is a deal for me!

[sdailey]

Gene,

You'll be happy with the Vintage Air setup. It's a really nice unit.

[Beetle]

I just ain't got the $$$ for Vintage....

I am on a budget and hope I don't get burnt

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I just ain't got the $$$ for Vintage....

I am on a budget and hope I don't get burnt

Beetle, spend the extra 400 and go with Vintage Air. I have researched the southern air to death and it looks like you will have to fabricate a control panel to fit our trucks, unless you want to use theirs which is a universal under the dash mount kind and looks kinda cheap. I am saving up the extra dollars because in the past I went the cheaper way and I ended up regretting it.

[Lattimer]

I'm about 75% of the way through an install of a Classic Auto Air system. Saw an online magazine article on them, and it looked about the same as Vintage Air, but price was a little lower. Big difference is Classic uses cables where Vintage uses electronics. For me, cables are more reliable. It uses the factory controls. Has the repro dash vents, all the brackets and whatnot. Instructions are a little lacking, but I will probably have it finished up this Saturday. Its probably a 20-beer job for most, for me its a whole bottle of rum.

My opinion though, all the reputable kits seems to be in the same general price range. Anything a lot cheaper is probably cheaper for a reason.

[Beetle]

Yea the Southern Rods kit ain't too bad, for the money. I just didn't have $1500 to put towards air. I don't mind making this kit work for now. I spent $820 shipped to my door. Had to eliminate my glove box but I have a center console. I think it'll be just fine. I will post up pics later.
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[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by Lattimer

I'm about 75% of the way through an install of a Classic Auto Air system. Saw an online magazine article on them, and it looked about the same as Vintage Air, but price was a little lower. Big difference is Classic uses cables where Vintage uses electronics. For me, cables are more reliable. It uses the factory controls. Has the repro dash vents, all the brackets and whatnot. Instructions are a little lacking, but I will probably have it finished up this Saturday. Its probably a 20-beer job for most, for me its a whole bottle of rum.

My opinion though, all the reputable kits seems to be in the same general price range. Anything a lot cheaper is probably cheaper for a reason.

Vintage Air offers the same kit. It's under their sure fit series. You have the option of using the old heater controls for a non air truck, or doing like I did, adding the correct factory A/C controller to a non air truck to run my V/A kit. See the link in my signature.