late model a/c swap into early pickup - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

haulnrat · 02-09-2013, 05:38 PM

Has anyone done this or have information on swapping an air conditioning system from a '95-'99 c/k into an early truck. Let me know what the pros and cons might be.

Thanks in advance.

1972CST · 02-09-2013, 05:43 PM

I have had this in the back of my mind also. I think it may be a good fit for our trucks.

71meangreenc10 · 02-09-2013, 07:55 PM

I had a later model evaporator put into my original case with a sanden compressor, made lines and it works fine. Kept everything inside factory.

Smitty

oldspowered67C10 · 02-09-2013, 08:56 PM

Those trucks used a CCOT(cycling clutch orifice tube) type system so rather than running the compressor constantly and using a expansion valve to regulate the evaporator temperature they use a orifice tube and a low pressure switch to cycle the compressor to control the temp.

The major differences hardware wise is that the CCOT system has a accumulator after the evaporator rather than before the condenser, has a orifice tube before the evaporator instead of a expansion valve and the way the electrical is set-up slightly different.

Ideally, you'd want to use the evaporator, the condenser and compressor from the donor truck but I suppose if you had a TIG welder you could modify the original evaporator and condenser to work. The electrical and having new hoses made would be the easy part.

Andy4639 · 02-09-2013, 10:39 PM

My 71. Factory boxes with late 80's components.

haulnrat · 02-09-2013, 10:44 PM

I'm dealing with a non factory air '72. So trying to make it look original is not a priority. I would plan on taking everything from the donor truck. I'm just not sure how big of a job it would be to remove everything. If would be worth it or not, but if I can save a $1000 over an aftermarket. Then it might be worth it.

bonnieclyde100 · 02-09-2013, 11:40 PM

i took a ac from a 1991 chevy truck and installed all the under hood parts into my 69 and left the inside factory controls and ducting alone. i had to modify the factory under hood air box to fit the 91 evaporator. here are a few pics

bonnieclyde100 · 02-09-2013, 11:42 PM

more pics

1972CST · 02-09-2013, 11:45 PM

Great info here.

bonnieclyde100 · 02-09-2013, 11:59 PM

a few more pics of my airbox

bonnieclyde100 · 02-10-2013, 12:08 AM

1969 chevy cst pickup update 2-5-12 001.AVI -...

haulnrat · 02-10-2013, 09:59 PM

Thanks for info nice work

1970 CST STEP · 02-10-2013, 10:23 PM

bonnieclyde100, very nice work!

lanehicks76 · 11-02-2016, 09:02 PM

Hey guys, I know this post is old, but I have a question for Bonnieclyde100, If he is still around, I am currently doing a 98 vortec swap into a 72 c10 and im swapping AC system too. before I cut the evaporator box to fit the 98 evap. is there a year model that is closer to the specs of my 72 evap.? Thanks in advance.

bonnieclyde100 · 11-02-2016, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanehicks76

Hey guys, I know this post is old, but I have a question for Bonnieclyde100, If he is still around, I am currently doing a 98 vortec swap into a 72 c10 and im swapping AC system too. before I cut the evaporator box to fit the 98 evap. is there a year model that is closer to the specs of my 72 evap.? Thanks in advance.

I don't know if there is a evap that is closer to the 72 model. I just used what was easiest for me at the time by what engine I was using in the truck. sorry I don't have more info for you

Bigdav160 · 11-02-2016, 09:56 PM

Blazer and Suburban up until 1991 look to have the same (or similar) evap cases to the '72 case

lanehicks76 · 11-03-2016, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

Blazer and Suburban up until 1991 look to have the same (or similar) evap cases to the '72 case

Ok thanks. I will look into them

lanehicks76 · 11-10-2016, 02:41 PM

Ok guys. I went with an 87 chevy truck evaporator. Fits pretty close I got my gaskets and compressor manifold in. Now I need to know what condenser will fit the best with standard (I assume) fittings, not metric. also what do I need to do about my orifice location. TIA

kaycee · 11-10-2016, 07:52 PM

I wonder if cars are same as the truck/sub.

lanehicks76 · 11-10-2016, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonnieclyde100

1969 chevy cst pickup update 2-5-12 001.AVI - YouTube

What exhaust setup are you running

lanehicks76 · 11-10-2016, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy4639

My 71. Factory boxes with late 80's components.

what condensor did you use and what line, orfice setup did you use? TIA

F.A.A.benny · 11-11-2016, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lanehicks76

what condensor did you use and what line, orfice setup did you use? TIA

Andy got kit from Classic Auto Air. They are also now known as Original Air Group. If you call, ask t speak to Curtis. I used to work with him there. Good guy and knows his stuff

F.A.A.benny · 11-11-2016, 10:39 AM

Old air products also sells the same condenser that Andy got from CAA. It is a bolt in deal

Andy4639 · 11-11-2016, 10:52 AM

Correct, sorry just notice this.
Classic air group is the best. I've used them several times and never had a problem, well 1 time but they took care of it.

lanehicks76 · 11-11-2016, 02:47 PM

Thanks guys. Really appreciate your help.

02-09-2013, 05:38 PM	#1
haulnrat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 136	late model a/c swap into early pickup Has anyone done this or have information on swapping an air conditioning system from a '95-'99 c/k into an early truck. Let me know what the pros and cons might be. Thanks in advance.

02-09-2013, 05:43 PM	#2
1972CST Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Concord NC Posts: 511	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup I have had this in the back of my mind also. I think it may be a good fit for our trucks.

02-09-2013, 07:55 PM	#3
71meangreenc10 Its a Truck Thing...... Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sierra Vista, Arizona Posts: 3,159	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup I had a later model evaporator put into my original case with a sanden compressor, made lines and it works fine. Kept everything inside factory. Smitty __________________ 71 C10 283/3SPD Full Resto 71 GMC 1500 Sierra Grande http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=518599 70 C10 Suburban Former military GSA truck. 72 Chevy Blazer 4X4, Sloppy Jo, Mountain Climber. Wife says no more trucks. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=707378 72 GMC 1 Ton Motor Home, wife said no more trucks until she saw this one. Gen 3 6.0/4L80E 4.10 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=761110 68 GMC Suburban was 3/4 ton, now 1/2.Wife shook her head 71 C30 Wrecker 71 C20 Scott-Bilt As weird as it gets..BB Cheyenne AC Truck 68 GMC Long Stepside. They keep following me home 71 C20 Longhorn/Ole Yellor 69 C30 Former Motor Home, Flat Bed time

02-09-2013, 08:56 PM	#4
oldspowered67C10 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cherry Valley,Ca Posts: 468	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Those trucks used a CCOT(cycling clutch orifice tube) type system so rather than running the compressor constantly and using a expansion valve to regulate the evaporator temperature they use a orifice tube and a low pressure switch to cycle the compressor to control the temp. The major differences hardware wise is that the CCOT system has a accumulator after the evaporator rather than before the condenser, has a orifice tube before the evaporator instead of a expansion valve and the way the electrical is set-up slightly different. Ideally, you'd want to use the evaporator, the condenser and compressor from the donor truck but I suppose if you had a TIG welder you could modify the original evaporator and condenser to work. The electrical and having new hoses made would be the easy part.

02-09-2013, 10:39 PM	#5
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup My 71. Factory boxes with late 80's components. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

02-09-2013, 10:44 PM	#6
haulnrat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 136	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup I'm dealing with a non factory air '72. So trying to make it look original is not a priority. I would plan on taking everything from the donor truck. I'm just not sure how big of a job it would be to remove everything. If would be worth it or not, but if I can save a $1000 over an aftermarket. Then it might be worth it.

02-09-2013, 11:40 PM	#7
bonnieclyde100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Henderson,TX Posts: 336	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup i took a ac from a 1991 chevy truck and installed all the under hood parts into my 69 and left the inside factory controls and ducting alone. i had to modify the factory under hood air box to fit the 91 evaporator. here are a few pics Attached Images

02-09-2013, 11:42 PM	#8
bonnieclyde100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Henderson,TX Posts: 336	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup more pics Attached Images

02-09-2013, 11:45 PM	#9
1972CST Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Concord NC Posts: 511	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Great info here.

02-09-2013, 11:59 PM	#10
bonnieclyde100 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Henderson,TX Posts: 336	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup a few more pics of my airbox Attached Images

02-10-2013, 09:59 PM	#12
haulnrat Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Iowa Posts: 136	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Thanks for info nice work

02-10-2013, 10:23 PM	#13
1970 CST STEP Registered User Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Bandera, TX Posts: 85	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup bonnieclyde100, very nice work! __________________ 1967 SWB (small window) original 1970 4x4 STEP 1970 CST SWB FLEET 1972 SWB FLEET ORIGINAL

11-02-2016, 09:02 PM	#14
lanehicks76 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Rotan TX Posts: 13	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Hey guys, I know this post is old, but I have a question for Bonnieclyde100, If he is still around, I am currently doing a 98 vortec swap into a 72 c10 and im swapping AC system too. before I cut the evaporator box to fit the 98 evap. is there a year model that is closer to the specs of my 72 evap.? Thanks in advance.

11-02-2016, 09:56 PM	#16
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Blazer and Suburban up until 1991 look to have the same (or similar) evap cases to the '72 case __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

11-10-2016, 02:41 PM	#18
lanehicks76 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Rotan TX Posts: 13	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Ok guys. I went with an 87 chevy truck evaporator. Fits pretty close I got my gaskets and compressor manifold in. Now I need to know what condenser will fit the best with standard (I assume) fittings, not metric. also what do I need to do about my orifice location. TIA



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11-10-2016, 07:52 PM	#19
kaycee Registered User Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Wyoming USA Posts: 2,445	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup I wonder if cars are same as the truck/sub. __________________ 2001 Silverado K-1500 2005 FXDWG stage3 69 CHEVY Short/Step 327/4L60 373 posi 63 IMPALA 327

11-11-2016, 10:39 AM	#23
F.A.A.benny Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Euless, Tx Posts: 431	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Old air products also sells the same condenser that Andy got from CAA. It is a bolt in deal

11-11-2016, 10:52 AM	#24
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Correct, sorry just notice this. Classic air group is the best. I've used them several times and never had a problem, well 1 time but they took care of it. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-11-2016, 02:47 PM	#25
lanehicks76 Registered User Join Date: May 2015 Location: Rotan TX Posts: 13	Re: late model a/c swap into early pickup Thanks guys. Really appreciate your help.

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