Stock AC vs aftermarket AC

[serge]

Hello,
I want AC. What is best way to have AC again?
Find stock components to put it back like from factory or install aftermarket system such as vintage air.
My truck is a 70 c20 with AC cab. Under hood all AC equipment gone except for dryer and condenser.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Serge

[steelhorse]

By the time you get all new components it may be better to go aftermarket. That way your firewall is clean and it was designed to work with R134.

[DT1]

Originally Posted by serge

Hello,
I want AC. What is best way to have AC again?
Find stock components to put it back like from factory or install aftermarket system such as vintage air.
My truck is a 70 c20 with AC cab. Under hood all AC equipment gone except for dryer and condenser.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Serge

I have both systems. My 71 Cheyenne 10 has the stock system with absolutely no modifications and I've been running R134A in it for about six years now. I live in the desert where the temperatures often exceed 110F and the A/C runs comfortably cool. My other car (1967 Mustang) has a Vintage Air R134A system and I have never been satisfied with the performance. It could be because the Vintage Air system that I installed (16 years ago) was one of first systems available. I have heard that the more recent Vintage Air systems are very good now.

[Lattimer]

Its going to be easier to install an aftermarket kit than to hunt down the stock components. Costs depends on how much good used stuff you can track down. Buying new OE type parts is probably on par with the cost of an aftermarket system.

I went aftermarket for my non-AC truck, and I used http://www.classicautoair.com/
They also sell new OE style stuff for restorations. The aftermarket system is decent. Not perfect by any means, but it works ok and cools well enough that I can drive my truck in the summer. 90+ degrees is somewhat rare here, we get a week or 3 of that most summers. High 80's is the norm.

[cdowns]

new aftermarket systems are far more efficient than the 40year old stuff from stock and it takes less power to run them

[67ChevyRedneck]

I run vintage air in my 67 c10 (going on 8 years in it) and a 65 mustang (2nd summer with it). Both are great kits. I recently had an issue with my 65, but it was due to a slow Schrader valve leak on the low pressure side, and I stupidly got my Relays wet (my fault) and ruined them so my compressor wouldn't kit on, all fixed now. The one in the truck has never had issues. My wife loves to be cold and she turns the systems down in either vehicle after 15 to 20 minutes.

[1972SUPERSB]

I just finished my AC and put it back like the factory did it. Got all my parts from old air products and cools awesome. Blows about 45 degrees coming out of the vents. The reason I went with the factory setup is everything fit and looks stock and you use all factory wiring, controls and brackets. I didn't want an aftermarket system that you have to modify the fireall and all that. I love the factory look.

[rdgt67]

I got a quote for an after market air installed turn key for 2500.thats dual electric fans. My 70 stepside is non ac. Any thoughts from anyone?

[cafetony]

Install it yourself It's not that hard could be done in a weekend. They give you all the templates. they pay a company to check for leaks and charge.

[cafetony]

here is some pics a few tools hole saw drill.
first time installing one it took 8 hr start to finish

[mrein3]

If you are starting with a truck that left the factory with AC, you can save about $1000 going stock over aftermarket.

There is nothing wrong with the stock system. The only difference between it and a modern system is that the modern system cycles on and off where stock is on until you turn it off. They will both use about the same amount of engine power while running.

I converted a non-AC truck to AC using stock components. You may find some useful information and part numbers in my post:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478564

According to my link above I got $350 into a stock system when starting from a non-AC truck and figured it would be about $200 to re-hab an AC truck (post 8 in link above).

[Andy4639]

I love these kinds posts! All these people except a few of us want AC in there trucks But yet they install after markets in them because they work better... Huh! My 40 some year old AC works great and It was way less than any aftermarket kit ever thought about being. I would just about bet to the ones that have aftermarket AC want cut their dashes though for a new radio.
It works better than stock to!
I would much rather look at a truck done right with factory AC than a aftermarket kit anyday.
My was blowing 40* today and it was 90* outside.

[rdgt67]

Was the 6.0 stock

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by rdgt67

Was the 6.0 stock

No,
It has nothing to do with is it stock are not. It has to do with why is it that some mods are ok on these trucks but some aren't according to some on here. I've moded the heck out of mine and I love it. I would rather see a fire wall with the correct looking AC stuff on it and working than a aftermarket system that just looks completely out of place on these year trucks to me.
My AC looks stock to the normal person but it isn't no where near stock. I just get a kick out of seeing these post that say oh don't cut your dash for a new radio. But then you look at the rest of the truck and it's like lowered, custom seats and interior with a LS motor and such but don't cut that dash!
Put the stock AC on your truck and you will have a lot better looking truck under the hood than with a aftermarket system. + it will resale better also.

[rdgt67]

I am 66 years old resale is the farthest thing from my mind. N she it comfortable, make it personal, make it cool, make it yours. The naysayers will find enough to critize.

[serge]

WOW! Thanks for the feed back guys.
Some great points.
I will admit that stock is my preference but I'm a hands on person but not sure if able to figure out whats needed (most parts gone) and how to install. Reading the reply from Mrein3 gives me a little more confidence.
On the other hand Vintage or similar appear to be do-it yourself friendly.
Will keep researching. .
Thanks again

[boostedc10]

If you want a compact clean look go with the aftermarket, if you want a stock look go stock its that simple. Both systems are more than capable of cooling a small cab. You can even go to R134 on the old R12 system so that is a mute point too.

[Fitz]

Originally Posted by serge

Hello,
I want AC. What is best way to have AC again?
Serge

Aftermarket! The firewall will be much cleaner and the unit will run better too!

[chevy72blu]

My 72 had factory air and now has an LS1 with f body accessories. I removed the compressor as it conflicts with the frame... now I'm at the point where I'm ready to look into AC. I understand that the stock variable compressor will not work. So it looks like I'll need a sanden compressor with the kwikperf mount.

The Vintage air kit looks great but it sure is spendy. I still have most of my original AC setup (condenser, evaporater, etc). Can any of this be re-used or do I need to go to an all new setup for R134?

[boostedc10]

The problem with converting a R-12 system to R-134 system is a few things;
The compressor will work harder
The condenser is too small for the system to work efficiently
PAG oil turns to a gel when mixed to mineral oil

I know people have swapped the fittings and called it a day but "most" of the time this never lasts. Additionally the stock lines in the truck are not barrier hoses and with R-134 having a smaller molecular structure it usually finds a way out through them.

If it was me I would either stick with R-12 or swap the entire system over to R-134, but that is just me.

[jborders]

I've had a vintage air system for about 15 years . Works great I'd use them again.

[Lee H]

I have vintage air in my factory AC truck and really like it. It's probably one of the best upgrades I've made. Before I installed the VA system I had an AC shop evac my factory system, change the fittings, and charge with 134. It cooled well for about ten years without service. I know many others that have gone this same route, some ran good for a long time and some did not. After my refurb I just could not justify the cost of rebuilding and hanging that 40 year old monstrosity on my firewall. The VA kit was only a few hundred more than procuring all the stuff I needed (new compressor, condenser, dryer, heater core, poa, hoses, etc.) I know some things can be had on the reconditioned market but they are iffy at best and not a good comparison to an all new After market kit.

[john]

Check this out serge, Used unit on the parts board if you want to stay original.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=620209

[Andy4639]

Originally Posted by chevy72blu

My 72 had factory air and now has an LS1 with f body accessories. I removed the compressor as it conflicts with the frame... now I'm at the point where I'm ready to look into AC. I understand that the stock variable compressor will not work. So it looks like I'll need a sanden compressor with the kwikperf mount.

The Vintage air kit looks great but it sure is spendy. I still have most of my original AC setup (condenser, evaporater, etc). Can any of this be re-used or do I need to go to an all new setup for R134?

Yes you can use the factory box but buy new parts to run 134-A. Mine runes great. I have a LS 6.0 LQ4 in mine now.

[rdgt67]

Is that a hard swap on the motor?