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#1 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 403
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Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Hi all, I'd like to ditch the factory air controls for my 87 truck and get something more modern. After 12 years of owning the truck (never gonna sell it) I find that I just don't like those old levers. I guess I never liked em.
Is anyone aware of something with buttons or knobs that would fit in the factory slot? Instead of those old style levers. Who knows, maybe there's even something out there with a digital readout of some kind. Doesn't have to be though. Just something that will fit, that I can hook up all the factory air stuff too. I do have air conditioning so that might affect which one I can get. Maybe an odd request I know, but I just don't like those things. Thanks! |
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#2 |
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Chatt Tn
Posts: 969
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
don't know of any direct fit, unless vintage air has a different panel for their system.
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88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535 |
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#3 | |
Registered User
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Motor City
Posts: 9,194
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Quote:
I'd like to ditch the controls in my '04 and go back to something like in my '87! K
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Chevrolet Flint Assembly 1979-1986 GM Full Size Truck Engineering 1986 - 2019 Intro from an Old Assembly Guy: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342926 My Pontiac story: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/...d.php?t=560524 Chevelle intro: http://www.superchevy.com/features/s...hevy-chevelle/ |
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#4 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 403
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Quote:
I'm guessing not many, but there's bound to be something out there. The modern ones are probably all somewhat larger. |
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#5 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
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#6 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 1,204
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
I did this with a ford, I spent a few days pouring over vacuum manuals searching for newer vehicles that had the same vacuum logic tree as the original and in my case, had a cable controlled blend door. Then I went to the autowreckers to find said vehicles and see what would potentially fit.
I'd start with having a close look at the next generation gm trucks or whenever they went to dials and see if they still operated the blend doors the same way. If so, you're golden. Just a matter of patching the old and new together. |
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#7 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Do what I did, tear every last piece of the OEM system out and install a modern plug and play system in. I'm using Vintage Air surefit and it works perfect. Do the entire system, r134 Sander compressor and all. Second best thing I ever did to my truck.
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Same here.
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#9 |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 403
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Did you get a new air control unit with the vintage air stuff?
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 1,598
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
The next gen control would probably fit, but it wouldn't control anything without the motors that move everything.
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Vintage Air is the way to go. You also lose all the junk on the firewall. It all fits inside the cab. I live in Yuma AZ. Its 120 plus here in the summer. It blows 43-45 degrees out the vents. No rotted vacuum hoses, sticky cables, stuck relays, blah, blah blah. It's the 2nd best thing I've ever done to my truck.
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#13 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 1,598
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
I never had any problems getting the factory system below 50 degrees.
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#14 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 403
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Quote:
Next question - Looking at that pic of the control unit, how do you turn on the AC itself? |
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#15 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Posts: 1,598
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Probably by moving one of those levers you don't like.
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#16 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
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#17 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Beaverton, OR from WA State
Posts: 1,515
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Hoping someone from VA or one of the other companies with an update kit see this: YOUR CONTROLS DO NOT MATCH THE OEM LOOK. They look like complete ASSHOLE when placed side-by-side to stock controls.
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Devin 1983 GMC High Sierra 2500, 4x4, RC/LB, 400 S.B., SM-465, NP-208, Corporate 10 bolt & 9.5" 14 bolt 1996 GMC Sierra SLE 3500 DRW, 4x4, EC/LB, Vortec 454, NV-4500, BW-4401, AAM 925 & AAM 1050 1997 GMC Sierra SLT 1500 4x4, Z71/F44, EC/SB, Vortec 350 My Introduction with my '83s History New Daily, the '96 |
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#19 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
The look is subjective. The function and reliability is spot on. Choices.
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#20 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 242
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
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#21 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Texas
Posts: 403
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
Quote:
But what if you want to use the coldest setting, but not the AC? In texas, we have long shoulder seasons. Spring and fall last for months. It's a great time to just use the outside air, and save gas and have a bit more power. Those controls look like you don't get a button to turn the AC on or off. Given that, I'd have to pass on that one. Kinda lacking in features imo. I'd probably use the rest of the vintage air system, just not the controller. |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Yuma Arizona
Posts: 1,526
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Re: Different air controls for an 87 (with AC)
You're over thinking it. Probably better off sticking with the old stuff.
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