Converting NON AC Truck to AC - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jpkerley · 10-13-2005, 06:31 PM

I have a 72 SWB I am restoring and have a 72 Suburban for parts, the Sub has factory air and all the pieces how much trouble is this conversion, The swb of course does not have air. Also, I have the bucket seats out of the Sub, will these work with the small middle seat. I had really rather have that than the console. Thanks.

Eddie H. · 10-13-2005, 06:49 PM

The cut outs in the firewall are different on the non a/c trucks.
You would need to modify that , as well as cutting holes in your non a/c dash for the duct work. You could also take the dash out of the burb and weld it in the truck. It can be done. but is a lot of trouble. It might be easier to consider using an aftermarket setup like OldAir products, or Vintage air.

70c10 · 10-13-2005, 08:09 PM

There is a guy on ebay who sells universal underdash units brand new for about $475. Don't know how good they work being only 16" wide.

Botietruck · 10-13-2005, 09:05 PM

I converted my '71. Cutting the holes in the dash are not that difficult, just time consumming to make sure you get them right. Not bad if you have a template like the burb dash that you have to pattern by. As far as the firewall goes, I cut the piece out of an a/c truck and migged it into mine. I suppose that is the hardest part, but I would rather install five of these to one floor pan. If you have a mig welder I'd go for it.

cypress TX 72 · 10-13-2005, 11:57 PM

The old A/C system is so cumbersome, out of date, and in-efficient. Not to mention it runs on R12. Unless you are building a complete restore, Vintage air is the way to go.
Its all underdash and made to fit, and it WORKS, and is very, very, simple to install and customize.
The money and time you would spend welding and fabricating, you could have paid for one.
A full system from Vinatge air is like $1000 or somewhere close to that - Compressor and all.
OldAir I have no experience with, but I hear that it is a good system as well, and is a little cheaper. I have only used Vintage Air in 2 - 72 cheyenne's and my 67 RS Camero and as you can tell I am very pleased.
Hope this helps

**53burb** · 10-14-2005, 02:53 PM

Do you happen to have any parts remaining on the 72 rear air??? I need the moldings that the vents clip into???

jpkerley · 10-17-2005, 11:43 AM

Can someone send me a pic of what the vintage air looks like.

shifty · 10-17-2005, 03:36 PM

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post1310375

Check that link ^^^

**truckster** · 10-17-2005, 06:39 PM

You don't have to run R-12 to run the factory air. R-134a works fine in that system. You also have a choice of compressors, since GM has been making radial and rotary compressors for decades. You should be able to find whatever mounts you need in a wrecking yard. Mine is from a 87 Suburban.

10-13-2005, 06:31 PM	#1
jpkerley Active Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 119	Converting NON AC Truck to AC I have a 72 SWB I am restoring and have a 72 Suburban for parts, the Sub has factory air and all the pieces how much trouble is this conversion, The swb of course does not have air. Also, I have the bucket seats out of the Sub, will these work with the small middle seat. I had really rather have that than the console. Thanks.

10-13-2005, 06:49 PM	#2
Eddie H. Registered User Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Paradise TX USA Posts: 1,200	The cut outs in the firewall are different on the non a/c trucks. You would need to modify that , as well as cutting holes in your non a/c dash for the duct work. You could also take the dash out of the burb and weld it in the truck. It can be done. but is a lot of trouble. It might be easier to consider using an aftermarket setup like OldAir products, or Vintage air. __________________ "Negative people always seem to have a problem for every solution"

10-13-2005, 08:09 PM	#3
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,857	There is a guy on ebay who sells universal underdash units brand new for about $475. Don't know how good they work being only 16" wide. __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

10-13-2005, 09:05 PM	#4
Botietruck '71 chevy s.bed/s.side Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Chesapeake, VA Posts: 1,571	I converted my '71. Cutting the holes in the dash are not that difficult, just time consumming to make sure you get them right. Not bad if you have a template like the burb dash that you have to pattern by. As far as the firewall goes, I cut the piece out of an a/c truck and migged it into mine. I suppose that is the hardest part, but I would rather install five of these to one floor pan. If you have a mig welder I'd go for it. __________________ STILL PLAYS WITH CARS...AND TRUCKS!! Parents! Be good to your kids...they get to choose your nursing home! 250 I-6 with a 3 speed Saginaw and Borg Warner Overdrive...She's got overdrive!

10-17-2005, 11:43 AM	#7
jpkerley Active Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: TENNESSEE Posts: 119	Re: Converting NON AC Truck to AC Can someone send me a pic of what the vintage air looks like.

10-13-2005, 11:57 PM	#5
cypress TX 72 Saving one 72 at a time!! Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 261	The old A/C system is so cumbersome, out of date, and in-efficient. Not to mention it runs on R12. Unless you are building a complete restore, Vintage air is the way to go. Its all underdash and made to fit, and it WORKS, and is very, very, simple to install and customize. The money and time you would spend welding and fabricating, you could have paid for one. A full system from Vinatge air is like $1000 or somewhere close to that - Compressor and all. OldAir I have no experience with, but I hear that it is a good system as well, and is a little cheaper. I have only used Vintage Air in 2 - 72 cheyenne's and my 67 RS Camero and as you can tell I am very pleased. Hope this helps

10-14-2005, 02:53 PM	#6
53burb Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Queen Creek, AZ Posts: 1,004	Do you happen to have any parts remaining on the 72 rear air??? I need the moldings that the vents clip into???

10-17-2005, 03:36 PM	#8
shifty Questionable Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Atlanta Posts: 13,376	Re: Converting NON AC Truck to AC http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...75#post1310375 Check that link ^^^ __________________ If I've got anything up for grabs, it'll be here: 7-hole gauge cluster for a 67-72 p/u FREE (link) I can't check the forum daily. If I don't reply to you within 24 hours, drop me a PM! I'm (hopefully) still alive and will reply faster to a PM.

10-17-2005, 06:39 PM	#9
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,881	Re: Converting NON AC Truck to AC You don't have to run R-12 to run the factory air. R-134a works fine in that system. You also have a choice of compressors, since GM has been making radial and rotary compressors for decades. You should be able to find whatever mounts you need in a wrecking yard. Mine is from a 87 Suburban. __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson



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