time for a/c

[boatpuller]

it's been below freezing all day here today,so,whats the ups man bring the boatpuller? that's right..vintage air .ought to keep me busy awhile.

[hiway]

Complete heat and air? Underdash? How much? My ole man is thinking that direction for his Elcy.

[boatpuller]

its a sure fit,heat,air,defrost.under dash, gives you a smooth firewall.cost about a grand delivered.guess who gonna be working a little overtime to pay for it.

[hiway]

does that include evap, compressor, and such?

[boatpuller]

yup,you get everything.however you need a non a/c control panel.they don't provide a control panel on the sure fit.board member "jdl" helped me there.and 7T7 another member supplied me some pics of his setup,that really helped. this article is cool for those thinking about doing this.its not a popular thread now,but,wait a couple months. i'm gonna snap some progress pics.i'll keep if anybody needs help .http://www.classictrucks.com/tech/06...oning_install/

[boxrodz]

Cool. ... (No pun intended.)

Looking forward to the progress pics. (I've been trying to compare the pros and cons between a vacuum-controlled panel and an eletronic-controlled panel.)

[boatpuller]

yup,i went thru the same thing,this uses cable control,but no vacuum.you can put together a package with their tech dept.that will give you electronic controls.but it sounded like there would be more modification than with the sure fit i ordered,when you get serious about buying one shop around,i was able to get a couple of them to beat each others price.

[boxrodz]

Yeah, I've read the advantage of the cable control over the electronic controls due to the infinite setting range and lower cost, but I don't know how much of an advantage it really is. Like you said, it probably would be a bit more work with more expensive. But, it would be cleaner and, of course, high tech.

What were a few (couple?) of the places that you were considering when you purchase your unit, if I may ask?

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by boxrodz

What were a few (couple?) of the places that you were considering when you purchase your unit, if I may ask?

i talked to old air,very nice people by the way.and hot rod air.the vintage air just seemed to be the best fitting.it also is the only one designed for our trucks.other companies put components together and seemed to require more mods.it's the same thing you run into on other stuff.these trucks really aren't old enough yet to have attracted alot of aftermarket part interest from suppliers.it came down to this for me.i had a a/c cab with really no components that were known to be reliable, since when i bought it nothing worked.so,do i go junkyarding and ebay and hope for parts that work and spend $500 estimated.for a system that might work o.k,or spend a 1,000 for one that i know will perform,looks good(polished compressor).and it's all under warranty.

[71'tahoe]

Hey boatpuller,
I have been dieing to find out about your truck.I really like your pic.Is there any way you can spec out your truck for me;wheels/tires,suspension,helper air bags,engine, drive train.Sorry for all the questions.I just really like your truck.I am in the process of starting my 75' build.Any info would be great.Thanks

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by 71'tahoe

Hey boatpuller,
I have been dieing to find out about your truck.I really like your pic.Is there any way you can spec out your truck for me;wheels/tires,suspension,helper air bags,engine, drive train.Sorry for all the questions.I just really like your truck.I am in the process of starting my 75' build.Any info would be great.Thanks

the specs are the hard thing to visualize when starting your build.i think it was n2trux who advised me to do at least a 4,6 drop and maybe 5,7 because once you lower it,it seems like it's never low enough.mine was bell tech 4,6 but turned out to be at least a 5,7. it's drop spindle's and coils in front.i believe they do a 2in spindle and a 2 in coil drop to get a 4 in.but,i can't say for sure.the rear is a c notch,flip kit.the rim/wheel combo is 275/55/17 in back,front is 225/55/17 both are 8 in.tires are toyo proxes st.it's got a 350 crate,350 th,3.08 rear and alot of add on stuff. it's as low as i'd safely go.a arms have about 4 inches clearence.i've been driving suspension lowered vehicles for 30 years.so i got a sixth sense for high spots.i like 20's and 22's if they tuck,and it's gotta have rake.17's give you some sidewall,which to me makes it ride smoother.future mods,i'd like to bag someday.and a zz454 crate.hope this helps,and post progress pics.

[HAVA79]

boatpuller, I'm looking at the vintage air magnum for my 79 blazer. I would love to hear any imput you have on their product and your install. I have a zz4 crate with a gm serpentine belt with the small 134 compressor. Will you be be using a plastic firewall cover? Please keep us up to date on your project.....jesse

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by HAVA79

boatpuller, I'm looking at the vintage air magnum for my 79 blazer. I would love to hear any imput you have on their product and your install. I have a zz4 crate with a gm serpentine belt with the small 134 compressor. Will you be be using a plastic firewall cover? Please keep us up to date on your project.....jesse

plastic firewall cover sounds cool.didn't know there was one.got a pic?

[HAVA79]

I need to talk to vintage about this, but on their website it shows a firewall "cleanup" piece. not sure if they have one for our year of trucks. Do you know if there is any difference between the trucks and the blazers? I am about ready to pull the trigger on something, arizona heat will be coming real soon . With a new radiator and flexolite electric fans and the serpentine belt I really want to finish this up. Have you looked at vintages air cond. controls? They look pretty cool and you dont have to mess with modifying stock one.

[boatpuller]

Originally Posted by HAVA79

I need to talk to vintage about this, but on their website it shows a firewall "cleanup" piece. not sure if they have one for our year of trucks. Do you know if there is any difference between the trucks and the blazers? I am about ready to pull the trigger on something, arizona heat will be coming real soon . With a new radiator and flexolite electric fans and the serpentine belt I really want to finish this up. Have you looked at vintages air cond. controls? They look pretty cool and you dont have to mess with modifying stock one.

i'm not sure of blazer and truck difference if any.if you want there controls you can't do a sure fit.they'll set you up with a universal,which will still get rid of stock box under hood.you should call their tech dept.it's on the website.so far mine been anything but "surefit".the condensor brackets were off,had to fab new ones.the fan switch bracket has to be fabbed,and they sent me wrong compressor brackets,then tried to tell me i had to pay return shipping on the wrong brackets.:crazy..the ol boatpuller told them where the bear shi#t's in the woods on that one.knowing what i know now.i might have went universal.there tech department is friendly and willing to help.

[HAVA79]

too bad about fitment issues , keep us up to date please........jesse

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

i talked to old air,very nice people by the way.and hot rod air.the vintage air just seemed to be the best fitting.it also is the only one designed for our trucks.other companies put components together and seemed to require more mods.it's the same thing you run into on other stuff.these trucks really aren't old enough yet to have attracted alot of aftermarket part interest from suppliers.it came down to this for me.i had a a/c cab with really no components that were known to be reliable, since when i bought it nothing worked.so,do i go junkyarding and ebay and hope for parts that work and spend $500 estimated.for a system that might work o.k,or spend a 1,000 for one that i know will perform,looks good(polished compressor).and it's all under warranty.

Thanks for the reply - boatpuller.

I've been looking at Vintage Air, Old Air and Southern Air to name a few. It's interestng to see them all offer units with electronic controls (servo motors).

Thanks for the progress update. Sorry to hear 'bout the issues you're having. Once you get it completely installed, it will be interesting to hear how it performs and how quiet the unit is sitting in the cab.

[boxrodz]

Originally Posted by boatpuller

plastic firewall cover sounds cool.didn't know there was one.got a pic?

Originally Posted by HAVA79

I need to talk to vintage about this, but on their website it shows a firewall "cleanup" piece. not sure if they have one for our year of trucks...

On Vintage Air site, it shows the smooth firewall piece for their 73-86' Sure Fit systems. Some would prefer to smooth the firewall with a metal peice or use an aluminum piece instead, for looks.

http://vintageair.com/download/pdf_singles/48.pdf

[boatpuller]

yeah i got that one in the surefit kit,it just covers factory hole area in a/c cab.i thought you guys meant a full width firewall cover.7t7 has one on his that's very cool.

[boatpuller]

i guess one thing i'll try to clear up for you guy's that have been asking. and those thinking about adding aftermarket a/c.with vintage air,the whole unit is up under dash,fan,a/c,heat,defrost heater core,everything.there's nothing in the engine bay.no box in the corner.no fan housing nothing only your heater hoses and a/c lines go thru that smooth out plate you get with kit.i believe old air is the same not sure of others.you do lose half your glove box depth,included in the kit is a new inner glove box.hope this helps you guy's.