WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 09:46 AM

Does anyone know where I could get a complete factory air conditioning system or an aftermarket one that looks like the original? I've looked at the aftermarket products from nostalgic air, classic auto air, vintage air and old air, and they just don't look original enough, especially under the hood. Thanks for your help

BowTieOgre · 07-14-2006, 10:07 AM

Im not sure about a new factory setup but HERE is an original one for sale on Ebay minus the compressor.

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BowTieOgre

Im not sure about a new factory setup but HERE is an original one for sale on Ebay minus the compressor.

Anyone have an opinion on whether that lot of A/C parts is worth the cost?

It will still need at minimum: Condenser $175, Compressor $200, Hoses $90, Expansion valve $40, Vacuum Tank $20 among other things

BowTieOgre · 07-14-2006, 12:03 PM

Well now you are getting closer to the cost of the low end aftermarket setups. It might be more cost effective to just buy something from Old Air or the like. Anyone else got an opinion or pointers?

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 12:23 PM

I would even consider and probably prefer to buy a parts truck with a complete A/C system.

BowTieOgre · 07-14-2006, 12:33 PM

Every time I take something apart and put it back together I have extra parts!

stope4 · 07-14-2006, 06:00 PM

If your truck is set up for factory ac, I would use factory. Aftermarket works but, in my opinion, not as good. In fact, the only way I would use aftermarket again in any vehicle is if the vehicle wasn't an original factory air vehicle. But, I never plan on buying another vehicle that wasn't factory ac to begin with so I guess this means I will never be buying aftermarket ac again. Problems I experienced with aftermarket was fan motor was too loud because it's in the cab, fogged windshield everytime I turned the ac on in morning or evening. Plus the cooling wasn't any better but about the same as factory. Plus I didn't like the way the naked fire wall looked after the original ac components were removed (but lots of folks like this look)

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 09:37 PM

My truck didn't have factory A/C, but I want it to look like it did. Has anyone had any success or have any pointers about installing A/C from a junker into a truck that never had it? What kind of job am I looking at?

low'n slow · 07-14-2006, 09:51 PM

If you have the complete setup, it;s not too bad. You will have to modify the firewall as the holes are different. The center vent is not too hard to cut. I don't like the factory ball vents so I went with these.

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 10:12 PM

I like the factory ball vents. What's the best way to cut out for the center vent?

chipflyer · 07-14-2006, 10:19 PM

You need to find a parts truck or find someone who is parting out an original A/C truck. Check with Teeitup, I think he has some good original parts.

**kna4977** · 07-14-2006, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipflyer

You need to find a parts truck or find someone who is parting out an original A/C truck. Check with Teeitup, I think he has some good original parts.

Thanks for the tip. I agree about the parts truck. How can I get in touch with Teeitup? I'm new to this forum and would appreciate any and all advice so that I may obtain the parts that I'm looking for.

ian villeza · 07-14-2006, 11:22 PM

I just bought this factory set up from a Local Mechanic For $50.00
He has an Older Chevy sedan that he Incorporated this set up into, And told me that I should be able to do the same with my Non A/C Blazer. I need the compressor, Brackets and Condensor But My quest for Cheap A/C Has Begun.

RicksTrucks · 07-15-2006, 12:10 AM

The last time I was at justascatch, he had several. Might try PMing him.

cstanley · 07-15-2006, 12:15 AM

low 'n slow, did your truck come with that battery gauge? if not, where'd it come from?

GMC Jim · 07-15-2006, 01:55 AM

Not really all that hard to install a/c into a non a/c truck.... should have templates for left and right dash outlet balls, upper center outlet and possibly firewall template.Does simplify, if you choose to have outside air only as I did... I also installed a separate switch controlling the compressor. Separate switch allows mixed a/c and/or heated air thru any of the outlets you choose....did mine over ten years ago; still works great The evaporator, and condensert can be from most any GM vehicule of that era. ( You will need the original evaporator case, however......Jim

low'n slow · 07-15-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstanley

low 'n slow, did your truck come with that battery gauge? if not, where'd it come from?

No it did not. I pulld it out of the local yard from a 1980's model.

07-14-2006, 09:46 AM	#1
kna4977 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlothian TX Posts: 481	WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative Does anyone know where I could get a complete factory air conditioning system or an aftermarket one that looks like the original? I've looked at the aftermarket products from nostalgic air, classic auto air, vintage air and old air, and they just don't look original enough, especially under the hood. Thanks for your help

07-14-2006, 10:07 AM	#2
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative Im not sure about a new factory setup but HERE is an original one for sale on Ebay minus the compressor. __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

07-14-2006, 12:03 PM	#4
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative Well now you are getting closer to the cost of the low end aftermarket setups. It might be more cost effective to just buy something from Old Air or the like. Anyone else got an opinion or pointers? __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

07-14-2006, 12:23 PM	#5
kna4977 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlothian TX Posts: 481	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative I would even consider and probably prefer to buy a parts truck with a complete A/C system.

07-14-2006, 12:33 PM	#6
BowTieOgre Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Pensacola, FL Posts: 1,461	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative Every time I take something apart and put it back together I have extra parts! __________________ 1986 C10 - LWB, 305/700r4, posi, vortec heads

07-14-2006, 06:00 PM	#7
stope4 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Houston Posts: 434	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative If your truck is set up for factory ac, I would use factory. Aftermarket works but, in my opinion, not as good. In fact, the only way I would use aftermarket again in any vehicle is if the vehicle wasn't an original factory air vehicle. But, I never plan on buying another vehicle that wasn't factory ac to begin with so I guess this means I will never be buying aftermarket ac again. Problems I experienced with aftermarket was fan motor was too loud because it's in the cab, fogged windshield everytime I turned the ac on in morning or evening. Plus the cooling wasn't any better but about the same as factory. Plus I didn't like the way the naked fire wall looked after the original ac components were removed (but lots of folks like this look)

07-14-2006, 09:37 PM	#8
kna4977 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlothian TX Posts: 481	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative My truck didn't have factory A/C, but I want it to look like it did. Has anyone had any success or have any pointers about installing A/C from a junker into a truck that never had it? What kind of job am I looking at?

07-14-2006, 09:51 PM	#9
low'n slow Too Dumb To Know Better Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Texas Posts: 882	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative If you have the complete setup, it;s not too bad. You will have to modify the firewall as the holes are different. The center vent is not too hard to cut. I don't like the factory ball vents so I went with these. Attached Images

07-14-2006, 10:12 PM	#10
kna4977 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Midlothian TX Posts: 481	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative I like the factory ball vents. What's the best way to cut out for the center vent?

07-14-2006, 10:19 PM	#11
chipflyer Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Topeka, Ks Posts: 2,293	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative You need to find a parts truck or find someone who is parting out an original A/C truck. Check with Teeitup, I think he has some good original parts. __________________ I'm not a pessimist, I'm just optimistic that bad things are going to happen. 1971 Cheyenne Super K10 - tilt, cruise, air, am/fm, tow hooks, factory buckets! 1986 Jeep J10 pickup, - 5.3L Vortec with 4L60e and NP241.

07-14-2006, 11:22 PM	#13
ian villeza Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Hawaii Posts: 153	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative I just bought this factory set up from a Local Mechanic For $50.00 He has an Older Chevy sedan that he Incorporated this set up into, And told me that I should be able to do the same with my Non A/C Blazer. I need the compressor, Brackets and Condensor But My quest for Cheap A/C Has Begun. Attached Images

07-15-2006, 12:10 AM	#14
RicksTrucks Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Claremore, OK 74017 Posts: 2,639	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative The last time I was at justascatch, he had several. Might try PMing him. __________________ 68 Short Stepside C-10 69 SWB C-10 70 Flatbed C-20 70 LWB C-20 BB402 70 LWB C-10 CST 70 LWB C-10 CST 71 Short Stepside Cheyenne C-10 72 LWB C-10 72 Blazer 4x4 4spd 95 Jeep Cherokee 4x4

07-15-2006, 12:15 AM	#15
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative low 'n slow, did your truck come with that battery gauge? if not, where'd it come from? __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/

07-15-2006, 01:55 AM	#16
GMC Jim Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 901	Re: WTB Factory Air Conditioning System or Alternative Not really all that hard to install a/c into a non a/c truck.... should have templates for left and right dash outlet balls, upper center outlet and possibly firewall template.Does simplify, if you choose to have outside air only as I did... I also installed a separate switch controlling the compressor. Separate switch allows mixed a/c and/or heated air thru any of the outlets you choose....did mine over ten years ago; still works great The evaporator, and condensert can be from most any GM vehicule of that era. ( You will need the original evaporator case, however......Jim __________________ '71 GMC;fleetside;PB/PS/AC/CC/402 Eng./Custom Paint/110,000act miles/3 fuel tanks(52gal).



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