Where to put AC/Heat vents in a 61 ?

[The1960APE]

I asked this question a while back, I really don't get very excited about the plastic shrew to the dash vents, below are a couple pics of what we came up with, there is some more detailed info on my build thread.
http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...81#post7732781

[Joe Pass]

Its always tough making air vents look natural......I plan one of those retro under the dash units....hoping it will look like a dealer installed option look....good luck..lol

[The1960APE]

Joe,

that would be exactly my choice if were keeping the interior stockish looking, we are trying to go with a modern type look inside with some raw welds showing..... sometimes my ideas are out in left field... lol

[Joe Pass]

Good use of the door/dash jamb for a vent....it will be in a good position for cooling you down...I like.

[Rogue 64]

Looks good, I'm addressing a/c as well….not much options for kneeknockers.

[vin63]

Very cool!

After going through a lot of different options, I ended up fabricating a dash extension for the vent louvers. I rolled and contoured some leftover sheet steel, welded end caps, and painted to match the accent white. I cut out the accesses for a standard 4.75 x 1.5 rectangular louver.

[par4tom]

I wish I could fabricate metal like that.

Or, you could just make an under dash valance like I did in my '61.

You can do it out of 1/2" plywood like I did and use a bit of body filler to mold it to the dash. Hides all the hoses and doesn't create too much of an eyesore.

I covered mine in 1/8 foam and vinyl wrapped...

If you don't feel comfortable doing that yourself, almost any stereo shop should be able to do this type of work.

Tom

['63GENIII]

Ok Tom. I think you won that one. In all seriousness that is one of the most beautiful interiors on a knee knocker that I have ever seen. Almost wish i didn't see it BC Im rethinking the interior redo that I have planned that came as the result of my engine swap. I was going to run an under dash EquipAire unit since I hadn't seen any vent set ups to my liking. Till now. I really like the sheetmetal fab and the vinyl covered plywood as well.
The vents in the dog legs are the cats pajamas! Great idea!
Looks like it may be a little longer before the '63 gets out of the garage.

['63GENIII]

Really not wanting to hijack here but are you guys running a VA set up on your trucks? Im really liking the vent and valance ideas here. Never really seen much for the knee knocker cabs that didn't look like an afterthought. Everything here looks really well planned.

[par4tom]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Ok Tom. I think you won that one. In all seriousness that is one of the most beautiful interiors on a knee knocker that I have ever seen. Almost wish i didn't see it BC Im rethinking the interior redo that I have planned that came as the result of my engine swap. I was going to run an under dash EquipAire unit since I hadn't seen any vent set ups to my liking. Till now. I really like the sheetmetal fab and the vinyl covered plywood as well.
The vents in the dog legs are the cats pajamas! Great idea!
Looks like it may be a little longer before the '63 gets out of the garage.

Posted via Mobile Device

[par4tom]

Obviously not trying to take away from anyone else's ideas...did my work myself in my garage. I wish I knew how to work metal better but I think whichever way someone decides to go, the factory look always wins.

The underdash valance I made was super easy. The hardest part was using plumbers tape to mount it to the dash.

QUOTE='63GENIII;7748755]Ok Tom. I think you won that one. In all seriousness that is one of the most beautiful interiors on a knee knocker that I have ever seen. Almost wish i didn't see it BC Im rethinking the interior redo that I have planned that came as the result of my engine swap. I was going to run an under dash EquipAire unit since I hadn't seen any vent set ups to my liking. Till now. I really like the sheetmetal fab and the vinyl covered plywood as well.
The vents in the dog legs are the cats pajamas! Great idea!
Looks like it may be a little longer before the '63 gets out of the garage.[/QUOTE]
Posted via Mobile Device

[par4tom]

I'm running vintage air, yes QUOTE='63GENIII;7748775]Really not wanting to hijack here but are you guys running a VA set up on your trucks? Im really liking the vent and valance ideas here. Never really seen much for the knee knocker cabs that didn't look like an afterthought. Everything here looks really well planned.[/QUOTE]
Posted via Mobile Device

['63GENIII]

Not trying to take anything away from anyones work at all. Really didn't think I had many options. This thread opened up a whole bunch of options for me. Think Im looking into the VA set up now. Lots of new ideas from this!

[par4tom]

I don't think you will be disappointed in the Vintage Air system. The directions are really straight forward and doable. I think mine took me about 20 to 25 hours to do from start to finish. If I was doing it all over again, could probably do it in about 15 hours or so.

Just make sure you get the right compressor. I ordered the standard compressor and it wouldn't fit because I was mounting mine in front of the block. The standard one goes over the top of the block. The smaller one is called a peanut compressor and is for front mounts. It is more than ample for a small cab vehicle like our pickups.

Here you can see the smaller compressor on the lower left....and the hoses routed through the old heater delete plate. Be advised, the 61 trucks have a funky 4 hole heater delete plate. I think yours will have the 3 hole.

Tom