Old Air, Dash or Underdash Mount?

[toomanytoyz]

Just wanted to Know which you are Using & Which do u Feel is the Best Way to Go. I did a Search on Old Air & Did'nt really get a Answer from that???

Who would be the Best Board vendor to Purchase a Kit From???

Thanks For Any Help on Subject................

Rick

[BHRS]

From personal experience, go with Vintage Air. I researched restoring the stock AC system and realized it will still be a 35 year old system. I researched aftermarket systems and Vintage Air has a great reputation and reasonable priced. My kit was a little over a grand with free shipping plus TX sales tax. The price was almost equal to rebuilding the stock unit.

I ordered my kit from the Sachse Rod Shop in Sachse TX and they got it in in two day's. I picked it up and spent two weekends installing the kit. It was easy to install...read the directions... I went back last weekend to get it charged and tested-all went well. We put a meat thermometer in the furthest vent and it was reading about 28 degrees on high after running for about 5 minutes. It blows COLD.

My winter project is to pull the seat and carpet to insulate the cab and replace the weatherstripping for a more air tight cab.

Good Luck

[BHRS]

Almost forgot...it uses the stock controls and vents and no cutting. Big plus is it cleans up the firewall...

Brian

[toomanytoyz]

Thanks for the Info, Got any Pics of the Install??

Thanks, Rick

[BHRS]

Not at work, but let me get them to you tonight...

[67ChevyRedneck]

There's lots of pictures here. I finished the install months ago, just haven't finished the FAQ thread yet.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=249479

[Zonaman]

I installed (and favor) an Old Air system. It was the favored system of a local old timer who used to work on these trucks. It's very simialr to the Vintage system. One thing I favored about the Old Air system was the adjustable thermostat on the evaporator. Really helps in high humidity situations. Another thing I like about Old Air is that you can disassemble the in-cab module and replace the fan, evaporator, and heater core, if needed. I'm not sure if the Vintage system allows that or not.

One thing I'll note: These trucks have insulative properties of a sardine can. I'm going through the cab now to add insulation and weather stripping.

To answer your other question you can purchase directly from Old Air

[BHRS]

Originally Posted by Zonaman

I installed (and favor) an Old Air system. It was the favored system of a local old timer who used to work on these trucks. It's very simialr to the Vintage system. One thing I favored about the Old Air system was the adjustable thermostat on the evaporator. Really helps in high humidity situations. Another thing I like about Old Air is that you can disassemble the in-cab module and replace the fan, evaporator, and heater core, if needed. I'm not sure if the Vintage system allows that or not.

One thing I'll note: These trucks have insulative properties of a sardine can. I'm going through the cab now to add insulation and weather stripping.

To answer your other question you can purchase directly from Old Air

On the Vintage system there is a adjustable thermostat under the dash for the A/C. The plenum is sealed and that was a concern I had too about the heater core and any service. I was told that if there is a problem it will have to be sent back to Vintage Air for service.

Prior to installing the heater hoses I flushed the system and used new antifreeze so the core didn't get any junk from the cooling system. I also used compressed air to blow the lines and hoses before hooking up the compressor.

Does the Old Air use the stock A/C controls and vents??? Vintage Air does...

I think either way you will be better off with an aftermarket kit instead of restoring the stock A/C. Just go with something that looks good and doesn't butcher the dash and firewall.

[68gmsee]

Not sure you got your original question answered regarding whether to go "in dash" or "underdash" mounting with the a/c system.

I would also like to hear what others say. I would hate to cut into my dash on one of my trucks. On the 69 Chevy, it's already cut up some, so I wouldn't mind a dash system there. I guess it depends on how original you want your truck to stay in case you ever want to go back to the original condition.

Anyway, heres a bump ttt...

[Zonaman]

[QUOTE=BHRS;2369242]
Does the Old Air use the stock A/C controls and vents??? Vintage Air does...
QUOTE]

Yeah they do.

By the way I started with a non-AC cab. Just had to cut holes for factory look vents. Came out real nice, uses orginal controls too.

[toomanytoyz]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Not sure you got your original question answered regarding whether to go "in dash" or "underdash" mounting with the a/c system.

I would also like to hear what others say. I would hate to cut into my dash on one of my trucks. On the 69 Chevy, it's already cut up some, so I wouldn't mind a dash system there. I guess it depends on how original you want your truck to stay in case you ever want to go back to the original condition.

Anyway, heres a bump ttt...

No Answer Yet................

Thanks for all The Input so Far, This is a Fairly Big Decision to Make so Keep the info Coming....................

Rick

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by toomanytoyz

No Answer Yet................

Thanks for all The Input so Far, This is a Fairly Big Decision to Make so Keep the info Coming....................

Rick

I recommend in dash.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by Zonaman

I recommend in dash.

Hey Zonaman, what's the reason you recommend "in dash?" Is it because of looks?

I kind of feel that under the dash may look too "after markety" (if that's a word). But at least you wont have to cut into the dash.

Some pics of both would be nice...

[jamie72]

i`m going with in dash as i have looked at a few of the underdash setups, imo look cheap, and use up alot of space,you also loose leg room for the 3rd person in the middle..
let us know what you go with..

[jorgensensc]

I wanted to use an underdash unit. I know it would look less nice, but It would fit my shop truck look I'm going for. The major problem I have found with teh aftermarket underdash units, both new and vintage, are they stick so far out of you keep the original heater unit. The last one I measured would have hit the front of the seat. Does anyone have a pic of an original aftermarket period correct underdash unit in these trucks??
Shawn

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Hey Zonaman, what's the reason you recommend "in dash?" Is it because of looks?

I kind of feel that under the dash may look too "after markety" (if that's a word). But at least you wont have to cut into the dash.

Some pics of both would be nice...

Yup. It because of the looks. Saves a little leg room too. I don't own a digital camera or I'd show you. About the only thing you can see are the vents and the evap/fan unit casing (small) on the firewall under the dash.

Looks kinda like this:



If you dont want to cut the dash they have some under dash vent setups:

[67_C-30]

Is there a system that uses factory AC ball vents. The center vent on the VA system is factory, but the ball vents are not.

[Zonaman]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Is there a system that uses factory AC ball vents. The center vent on the VA system is factory, but the ball vents are not.

Old Air does.

[project1971]

well i got an original dealer add on underdash unit for mine. Haven't got it installed yet but it is a one piece with 6 vents in center of dash. has it's own controls for the a/c. The unit came out of a 68 burb.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by Zonaman

Old Air does.

Thanks. The factory look on the interior is more important to me than under the hood. I am going to be running a TPI injected L98 engine so I factory look under the hood is a non-issue for me.

[fastom]

This is my setup. I know it's custom but it would work great in any cab with a little work. It's a Vintage Air GenII system.

[fastom]

One more pic

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 67_C-30

Is there a system that uses factory AC ball vents. The center vent on the VA system is factory, but the ball vents are not.

VA's kit uses factory balls as well You just have to pay extra for them and I'm cheap.

Their kit is actually "set-up" for them. With the "cheap" balls (again ) the kit comes with a reducer so the heat/air hoses fit.

[jorgensensc]

Originally Posted by project1971

well i got an original dealer add on underdash unit for mine. Haven't got it installed yet but it is a one piece with 6 vents in center of dash. has it's own controls for the a/c. The unit came out of a 68 burb.

Do you have any pics of it? Maybe a mock up so I can see how far it sticks out?
Shawn

[project1971]

i can take pics of the unit itself as i am no where near ready to put it in yet. the truck is still completly gutted.