Options for Air Conditioning.

[OrangeAnimal]

Well folks my A/C was hacked up and I am missing alot of it. Anything on the outside of the truck is gone. I have the box on the inside but I am missing some of the stuff like ducting and the control panel is no good. I thought about adding a "hang on" unit but wonder if that is a good way to go. Any thoughts and ideas? Thanks.

[old Rusty C10]

mine is the same way i just got the parts from the classified section and the junkyard and when i do my truck up im gonna restore the whole thing vintage air is something some guys use not sure if its what you are looking for tho

[OrangeAnimal]

I have been looking at Hot Rod Air Inc. I think I am going to give them a call. I really want something simple all in one package. Plus this would allow me to smooth out the firewall and keep it nice and clean under the hood. Any one else who has dealt with this? I would like to hear from more people b4 I make my final decision.

Thanks for the response Old Rusty C10

[impalamark]

Orange Animal
if you have the money and are not a stickler for originality
these aftermarket systems have the advantage of being designed for new
refrigerant, smaller, cleaner, better looking, installations . I would do vs
stock stuff no question if money is no an issue
MArk

[OrangeAnimal]

Well I am not afraid to spend alittle cash. I hope to still have this truck when my little boy gets his license. So I got 15 years to go. LOL.

[87Bob]

Originally Posted by OrangeAnimal

Well I am not afraid to spend alittle cash. I hope to still have this truck when my little boy gets his license. So I got 15 years to go. LOL.

Cute little guy. My 85 is going to my grandson it was orginally owned by my father in law. So he'll be getting his great grand dad's truck.

[OrangeAnimal]

Thanks 87 Bob. I hope that he deserves it when he is that age. I never got a car or truck this nice when I was his age.

Back to the A/C topic. I think that the best choice is from Hot Rod Air. They have one of the smallest units. The physical dimensions are good for hiding the unit under the dash. The price isn't too bad either when you way the cost vs. other options.

[boatpuller]

iv'e posted on this a few times.so,it may be a rerun for alot of people.i had a similar situation/decision.replace and find factory stuff with what little unknown components i had and piece together a 30 year old system for probably half the cost and still have the "box" in the corner.or spend a grand for a smooth firewall and the latest most effecient system available? if cost isn't really a concern.it's a no brainer.i went with vintage air not only on their reputation ,but,they had a so called sure fit designed just for our trucks.and supply a flat panel that fits over the area where the box was.i don't know of anything bad with hot rod air.when i talked with them they didn't have a system just for these trucks.but were more than willing to help piece one together that would do the same thing.

[OrangeAnimal]

So the Vintage Air kit comes with a precut piece to fit over all the holes. That would be easier to deal with. Otherwise I have a big hole to patch. I will give them a call and see what prices and options they have thanks for the info boatpuller.

[87Bob]

I'll second Boatpuller's thoughts. I've not heard anything bad about the other guys but I have seen some of what Vintage Air has put out. No not in our trucks but in some of the local hotrods in town. Yes they are a bit more expensive but if you have something that is designed specific for our trucks and it comes with the block off plate to help clean up the firewall the time savings more than out way the cost difference. I don't know if it is true in the case of our trucks but in most cases you can use the block off plate to route your HVAC hoses through so you don't have to cut holes in your cab. It is far easier to cut holes in a flat plate on a work bench or drill press than in the engine compartment of our trucks. I have my cab gutted now and if I can swing it before I put the new interior in I plan to get the Vintage Air unit.

[givengold]

I am in the process of the Vintage Air install. We converted the whole thing to serpentine drive and the sure fit system. The block off plates have the nipples for the hoses going through the firewall. The sure fit system even comes with a factory control panel.

[87Bob]

Givengold How about posting some pictures Thanks!

[OrangeAnimal]

I agree pics would be nice. If any one has some of there aftermarket A/C setup that would be cool. Pun intended. LOL.

[boatpuller]

here's a couple of pics and some reading material.try the search feature also there have been several threads on this.usually after the first few hot days.
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/06...oning_install/

[OrangeAnimal]

Thanks for the pics and the link. After reading about the Vintage air unit I have decided to use the one from hot rod air. I should ahve to cut my glove box or hunt down a non A/C control panel.

[boatpuller]

yea,the glove box cut down is easy and you don't lose that much.as far as the controller issue.i think they have an electronic available now.does hot rod air have a panel for covering up the hole left from removing "the box" ? i spoke with hot rod air and at the time they wanted me to do a cardboard mockup of my underdash space.i was like.........nah,i ain't gonna build no little cardboard a/c unit.but,other than that i haven't heard any negatives about them.i only went with vintage because of the panel and a system designed already for my truck.hot rod could have a better system now.that's been three years ago.

[OrangeAnimal]

I don't think they have a panel to cover the hole from the factory unit. That part is really nice about the vintage air unit.

[87Bob]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

here's a couple of pics and some reading material.try the search feature also there have been several threads on this.usually after the first few hot days.
http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/06...oning_install/

Holy Molely Boatpuller that looks awesome. That is one beautiful engine compartment. Got any inside shots of the inside? I'd like to see the controls. My truck has never has had air I'm really looking forward to having it.

[Desert1957]

Hey Guys,

I don't mean to steal this thread but, but im a (FNG) here , I see the Vintage kit comes with a filler panel for trucks that had factory air. what option do they have for me? 1987 1/2 ton no A/C. Is it the same kit, Just don't use the filler panel? If so I wonder if they suppy a template for drilling the Evaporator inlet/outlet holes through the firewall? any help appreciated...

Desert

[JohnC]

I would imagine it would be the same, and yeah you would just have to drill the holes. I'm sure they have some type of template, if not it wouldn't be that difficult.

My cousin has a vintage air unit in his 70 Camaro. Absolutely loves it. He decided though to run the hoses through the fender cavity, and come out by the battery. Cleans up the engine bay even more.

[arkracing]

Just out of curiosity:

#1. for those you you who have the kit (boatpuller) how well does it work?
#2. is there a board vendor that carries the kits, if not, who has the best pricing on them?

Thanks

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by arkracing

Just out of curiosity:

#1. for those you you who have the kit (boatpuller) how well does it work?
#2. is there a board vendor that carries the kits, if not, who has the best pricing on them?

Thanks

mine work's awesome.and i think cap'n kaos does sell them.

[OrangeAnimal]

Well I am about halfway thru the install of my Hot Rod Air unit. I am waiting for parts still. I also had to still cut down the glove box for it to fit and spend time with the vents. I didn't have the factory vent the PO removed all that stuff. I meant to get the camera from my wife so I could snap a couple shots for my build thread.

I don't recommend using Hot Rod Air's stuff only cause it is getting close to a month since I placed my order and still do not have all the parts now it's getting hot and so am I.

[JohnC]

That's a bummer deal. Hopefully you will get them all soon and get it done. When you get the camera snap some pics.

[boatpuller]

that suck's.i just got a weird feeling when i talked to them.it just didn't seem as professional as vintage air.regardless they should take care of you.keep us posted and good luck with it man.