Any input on the under dash A/C system?

[rlaird]

I have a 72' C10 all original matching numbers that has been passed down thru the family and looking to do some upgrades. Not wanting to change to much since this truck is a true survivor. This truck does have the factory a/c but looking to clean up under the engine bay a little. Is the aftermarket under dash system worth the headache of the install? Thanks for any input.
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[Andy4639]

If the truck is a factory AC truck why change it? No matter what system u go with u need the engine bay stuff. Compressor and dryier and condensor.

[rlaird]

Ok. I was under the impression the new systems had everything built in. I don't claim to be an a/c guy so that sure helps before I start removing all the parts to give a clean looking firewall.
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[slikside]

Originally Posted by rlaird

I have a 72' C10 all original matching numbers that has been passed down thru the family and looking to do some upgrades. Not wanting to change to much since this truck is a true survivor. This truck does have the factory a/c but looking to clean up under the engine bay a little. Is the aftermarket under dash system worth the headache of the install? Thanks for any input.
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Originally Posted by rlaird

Ok. I was under the impression the new systems had everything built in. I don't claim to be an a/c guy so that sure helps before I start removing all the parts to give a clean looking firewall.
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It's your truck, so do as you please. But, these two statements don't seem like the best course of action to me. A true, numbers matching truck is not something you come upon everyday. If it were me, there's no way I would be removing all that stuff just "to get a clean firewall." Especially as noted above, you're going to need all of it if you want A/C. It just doesn't make sense, IMO.

[rlaird]

This is my first restore and all of this is kind of new to me. I really appreciate the input guys. Think it will stay as is and hopefully just replace some seals and a good service on the original system.

History on the truck is: belonged to my wife's grandfather who only drove the truck on Sunday to the grocery store and back. Passed on to his son, where the truck sat under a barn for years that I know of. A nasty divorce and it comes to my wife with 17, 000 original miles. Now I am task with bringing this back to life. Engine is at the machine shop as of now. Got away with a hone and fresh rings and seals. Has rust in floor pans and rockers but all in all. Pretty solid truck! Will post pics of the progress.
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[PatrickGMC70]

Depends on what you want. An aftermarket AC can clean up the engine compartment by eliminating the huge (and in my opinion, ugly) heater box. The other components (lines, drier, etc.) can be hidden or minimized (See the excellent Cloud 9 build). But, you'll give up some originality, glove box space, and fresh air option with an aftermarket kit. (To my knowledge, all of the aftermarket AC systems are recirc only).

I don't know that I'll ever swap out my factory AC, but the idea is hardly crazy.
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[Andy4639]

Once u get the ac working u can do a cowl vent upgrade and it will turn the truck cab into a freezer. I did my 71 cab and on 85 degree temps out side I'm blowing 45 degree's inside. Mine is a factory setup with a few mods though other than the cowl.
134A with components swaped for use with 134A.
The cowl mod really helps the AC out. I completely sealed mine off and open the passenger side kick panel vent with AC on and it will recirculate the air fine and it will get cold.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=253275&page=2

[Lee H]

Lots of guys sway out factory AC for vintage air or one of the other after market AC systems and love it. The fire wall is cleared of the big honking ugly monstrosity and the under dash unit is smaller than the stock unit. It's got all new components and works much, much better than the 40+ year old system.
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[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Lots of guys sway out factory AC for vintage air or one of the other after market AC systems and love it. The fire wall is cleared of the big honking ugly monstrosity and the under dash unit is smaller than the stock unit. It's got all new components and works much, much better than the 40+ year old system.
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Lots of guys sway out factory AC

The new parts I can agree on but better working not! Mine works great and it has the monstrosity on the fire wall!

[Lee H]

Oooops, swap.
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[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by Lee H

Oooops, swap.
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Got to love texting!

[tlcrz1972]

Really what does the so called cleaning up the firewall do for you and for the truck?
If it is done like I always see there will be a big flat boring piece of metal to look at when your finished. (ZZZZZzzzzzz)

And if you do it to where everything is tucked away and semi hidden, when there is a problem it is a pain to diagnose and work on.

Plus you end up putting more junk under the dash making it harder to work on, it takes away from the glove box area, and it forces all the condensation inside the cab to be dealt with with a drain of some sort.

And you loose the fresh air draw in system.

To me it is not a beneficial upgrade if that is what it is called.

Do some research on converting the existing system to 134A.
I have done several system to 134A and know what works for me.
And yes I spent a lot of time and money learning what to do to make them work on 134a and I have had several failures till I got to where I'm at with them now.

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by tlcrz1972

Really what does the so called cleaning up the firewall do for you and for the truck?
If it is done like I always see there will be a big flat boring piece of metal to look at when your finished. (ZZZZZzzzzzz)

And if you do it to where everything is tucked away and semi hidden, when there is a problem it is a pain to diagnose and work on.

Plus you end up putting more junk under the dash making it harder to work on, it takes away from the glove box area, and it forces all the condensation inside the cab to be dealt with with a drain of some sort.

And you loose the fresh air draw in system.

To me it is not a beneficial upgrade if that is what it is called.

Do some research on converting the existing system to 134A.
I have done several system to 134A and know what works for me.
And yes I spent a lot of time and money learning what to do to make them work on 134a and I have had several failures till I got to where I'm at with them now.

Couldn't of said it better.