Looking for a/c suggestions....

[FRENCHBLUE72]

If you guys were gonna put a/c in a truck would you chase down all the factory stock stuff or just go with aftermarket units? I have all the stock ball vents and center dash vent and would like to keep them. Can I run an aftermarket unit and use the stock vents??? What is the cost of restoring a old system also I am guessing it would be pretty high?? Thanks for any feed back you may have...

[see ten]

I would run the Vintage Air system. You can still run your factory vents and the factory controls. On the inside the truck will still appear factory. I don't know what it would cost to refurbish your factory setup. I would think it would run anywhere between a little bit of nothing to more than the cost of the Vintage Air. I have Vintage Air in both of my trucks and have been more than pleased with it.

[4tiresngas]

I personally just like the cleaner look under the hood the aftermarket a/c gives you. But, really it just depends on if your desire for stock or not.

[TraderJon]

10/4 on the Vintage air,,,I've run em in all my trucks,,,fixin to put one in my 67 ,,that had factory air ,,,,using the orig vents,,,,I've got most of the org a/c stuff but from what i can figure it cost more to rebuild the orig ?
just my 2 cents worth !

67 swb fleet,,,dropped ,,disc,,,sbc/turbo,410 w/spool,,,,soon to be Rat Motor.

[wibilly]

i am personaly gonna restore my origianl system in my mut truck i'm collecting parts from this and that as i find them. i am in no hurry as truck is down to frame now but with any luck it will be going by spring, with or without the air functioning but as soon as it gets hot it will become a priority. shop around you'l find what you need without spending a bucket of money

[TraderJon]

All the V/A setups use a smooth firewall ,,,block off sheet for 67/72,,,i think ?,,,,I'm checking into that also,,,I think they make a cntrl panel to fit the orig, spot too ? I've seen a few.
Gonna try there website & see if shows pics for 67/72 a/c ?
I did my 56&66 ,,, but havnt done a 67-72 yet.

If it aint a 1/2" or 9/16" ,,,close the hood !!!!!!!!!!!

[cypress TX 72]

Vintage Air - All the way
The fire wall set up, they send you a plastic cover that goes over the area where the evap and core housing was. it then has a square portal to exit lines.
Looks better to shave the F/W, I made a custom sheet metal piece and gorilla glued it in place...since the paint was already done on my cab.

[shifty]

I would go aftermarket. I've read article after article in Custom Classic Trucks and Classic Trucks mags and they all basically preach: "Stock is inefficient, costs too much to fill and repair, is highly ineffecient and outdated. Go with aftermarket."

I'm looking at Vintage as well. I've seen a couple of installs here at the forum and they're great, clean, nice. Most used Vintage. I'm going aftermarket with mine. Expect to drop at least $1k on the stuff, but it should pay for itself in reliability and maintenance.

[john@thepier]

So if you clean up the fire wall by welding in sheetmetal and go with the vintage air, do you still have heat? Is there a new heater core that now goes into the cab? I also was wondering about this as I am restoring a 67 air cab and also do not like the look of the factory units. Also how much of the factory flappers are reused. The vacume operated one in the pass. kick panel and I think there was some thing in the cowl area to. Thanks I'm sure your info will help us both. JOHN

[cypress TX 72]

It has the A/C and heat.
It only uses the control panal and the vent balls - that's it, the rest comes in the kit. the passanger kick panel cowl is covered - they send a blank to cover it. they even send you a new center vent.
even under the hood these are the only old componets you will need to save.

[john@thepier]

Ok anyone know the cost of the complete kit? any venders on the board sell them and how much $?

[see ten]

Originally Posted by TraderJon

All the V/A setups use a smooth firewall ,,,block off sheet for 67/72,,,i think ?,,,,I'm checking into that also,,,I think they make a cntrl panel to fit the orig, spot too ? I've seen a few.
Gonna try there website & see if shows pics for 67/72 a/c ?
I did my 56&66 ,,, but havnt done a 67-72 yet.

If it aint a 1/2" or 9/16" ,,,close the hood !!!!!!!!!!!

Kit comes with panel to smooth the firewall. I have seen them painted to match trucks before. I personaly left mine black. You can use non air controls or buy factory air controls. Expect to spend about $1100 I think for the kit.