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Old 11-29-2016, 10:28 AM   #1
Bigasstrux
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

1979 C65 really low mileage ex-firetruck. Looks like dealer add-on A/C, maybe this will help you.
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Old 11-29-2016, 10:34 AM   #2
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Great job, I have done this changeover and small fingers really would help! Where are you planning to get the vacuum to operate the controls?
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Old 11-14-2016, 12:46 AM   #3
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Installed the dash vents to the dash pad using six plastic nuts. Installed new foam seal on dash duct. Installed A/C Heat control, hooked it to both wire and vacuum harness. Note, I removed the radio before installing duct work to give me better access. Installed padded dash and instrument cluster bezel.
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Old 11-14-2016, 08:38 PM   #4
_Ogre
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

nice job
amazed that gm had 2 firewalls for a truck ac and ac delete

why you didn't convert it over to r134?
all you had to do was solder in a new expantion valve
then go with a new compressor, dryer and hoses
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Old 11-14-2016, 08:52 PM   #5
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Quote:
Originally Posted by _Ogre View Post
nice job
amazed that gm had 2 firewalls for a truck ac and ac delete

why you didn't convert it over to r134?
all you had to do was solder in a new expantion valve
then go with a new compressor, dryer and hoses
Thanks, yes I am planning on converting it, I have flushed the oil and have adapters to go on the low and high side ports. I am going to make new hoses that will be the barrier type for 134A.
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Old 11-14-2016, 09:10 PM   #6
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Next I installed the A/C configured glove box. I had to change the plastic pocket from the donor door to my original door. This ended up being more difficult than I imagined. The lock has tumblers that have to be released. This is accomplished with a paperclip inserted into the hole in the release knob. Once the tumblers are released then you pull the knob and tumbler assembly out and remove the retaining nut using a hex wrench. Remove the four screws (2 each side) and bend the metal tabs on sides of the glove box door outer metal shell. This will give clearance so the plastic pocket will slide out. Reverse the process to install the A/C style pocket.
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Old 11-23-2016, 09:52 PM   #7
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Installed the lower heater vent today. This vent is attached with a small screw on the passengers side and a bolt with rubber grommet on the drivers side. Note the forward edge snaps to the edge of the heater housing prior to installing the small screw.
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Old 11-24-2016, 05:57 PM   #8
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Awesome write up, thanks for the level of detail!

-Richard
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Old 11-25-2016, 08:39 PM   #9
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Got some more done on the A/C conversion. I installed the vacuum controlled hot water shutoff valve. This valve stops the flow of hot water to the heater core when you select max cold on the temperature control. Settings other than max cold allow the heater core to operate to provide blend air for temp control.

I also got some more done on the interior. I installed a new dash pad and door cards. I purchased the door cards from LMC. They fit and look awesome.
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Old 11-26-2016, 08:51 AM   #10
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Did the dash pad also come from LMC? What color did you specify? That looks like what I need.
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Old 11-26-2016, 06:46 PM   #11
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

No, I purchased it from Classic Industries, it is Carmine red. It fits real good as well. Just be sure to save your clips from the old one.
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Old 11-27-2016, 11:04 AM   #12
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Quote:
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No, I purchased it from Classic Industries, it is Carmine red. It fits real good as well. Just be sure to save your clips from the old one.
I need a new dash pad and door panels for my 77, and the original color looks like what you installed. I have been watching other people's projects to see how the look and where they got them before I buy any. Yours looks like the right stuff. Thanks!
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Old 11-29-2016, 01:23 PM   #13
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

I was able to tap into the line that feeds the vacuum gauge. The truck has vacuum boosted brakes which is supported by a Bendix engine driven vacuum pump. Thanks for the pictures.
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Old 12-05-2016, 10:59 PM   #14
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Got the A/C compressor bracket installed, next will mount the actual compressor and belt.
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Old 12-08-2016, 12:53 AM   #15
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Mounted the compressor and installed the condenser. Condenser bolts directly to the radiator support with 4 small bolts.
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Old 12-08-2016, 08:59 PM   #16
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Got the connections to the condenser installed. I noticed these lines are steel on the medium duty trucks and aluminum on pickups. Guess the steel take vibration better.
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Old 12-22-2016, 01:01 PM   #17
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Got some more done on the truck, reinstalled the seat and seatbelts. Next is installing the a/c lines from compressor to evaporator and condenser.
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Old 12-26-2016, 02:31 PM   #18
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

It's so rare to see a medium duty looking so good. Love the updates, thank you for sharing your work.
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Old 12-28-2016, 12:46 AM   #19
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Thanks, I appreciate your comment.
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Old 02-10-2017, 01:41 AM   #20
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Started disassembly of the truck to repaint the exterior back to its original color. Upon removal of the right side (passenger) fender extension I discovered a rust problem between the extension and support brace. Water had collected over the years and caused the fender extension metal to rust away in the vicinity of the support brace. My son Noah assisted me in removing the rusty metal and welding in new replacement metal. It turned out real good. He plug welded the brace back onto the extension and it's ready for primer and finish sanding.
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Old 02-10-2017, 11:55 AM   #21
83GMCK2500
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Hey, good to see an update. Glad you're still making progress on it. Is that brown color the original you refer to? Will you and Noah be building the flatbed for it as well? Dovetail or straight? I went back through and read the first post...this tractor collection you speak of, I hope there is some green in there.
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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
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Old 02-10-2017, 12:10 PM   #22
Airdirect
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

The original color was white, the truck was owned by a distribution company and had a 24' van box on it. It appears the brown color was a "company" color for their fleet of trucks. I think it was originally painted when it was new. The plan is to paint it white and install a rollback bed. I have been trying to buy a used rollback, however the good used beds bring more money that I am willing to pay. I am strongly considering building my own rollback unit using a factory flatbed. Would just have to fab a rollback interface between the truck frame and the flatbed. Noah is very talented and a great help (see thesamba.com link below), so I know he will be very involved. Here are some links to help answer the color of tractor question.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=439103

Link to youtube tractor videos:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZzyJXSFvYM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RdUcBhWIWE
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Old 02-12-2017, 08:46 PM   #23
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

I know this does not pertain to A/C installation, however I will post the truck transformation / restoration here to keep it all in one thread. Got the bumper and lower front grill painted and reinstalled. I will paint the fenders and fender extensions next. My shop is not large enough to allow me to paint the entire truck at once, so I will do it in several stages. The color code is White 12S / White 12P. Not sure the difference between S and P, however both translate to Frost White, more recently called Linen White. I am using single stage DuPont (Nason) Urethane.
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Old 02-13-2017, 01:08 AM   #24
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Great progression, man. Keep it up!
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Old 02-13-2017, 12:46 PM   #25
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Re: 1979 Chevrolet C70 Conversion to OEM Air Conditioning

Thanks!
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