Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

HeavyHauler · 09-25-2023, 07:57 AM

Every once in a while I think about wanting A/C in my 1968 Chevy short bed fleetside. But the thought of cutting the firewall or the dash prevents me from doing it. My truck never had A/C from the factory but it does have factory 396 with 400 turbo transmission with black paint and red interior.

**Ironhorse** · 09-25-2023, 08:16 AM

You might consider an under dash unit? I once had a '72 Blazer (which I should have kept, LOL) that had an under dash unit. Don't remember the brand but it did a good job cooling. Would think such a unit would do even better in the smaller confines of a pickup cab. Would only require a drain line and the coolant lines thru the firewall.

weq92f · 09-25-2023, 12:36 PM

.

I once had an under dash unit in a '68. Sourced all the parts from salvage and had it going for just a few hundred bucks.

That thing would freeze me out of the cab.

Ran the drain through the rust hole in the floor LOL

-klb

**Palf70Step** · 09-25-2023, 01:03 PM

You'll still need to make holes in the firewall for an underdash unit for the stuff to get to the compressor. I think Vinatge air or someone makes a vent panel that puts the AC vents under the dash so no need to cut there. With most of Today's aftermarket AC, the firewall is cut no more than what you would for an underdash unit.

**68 C10 Driver** · 09-25-2023, 03:00 PM

This is the only way I know of adding A/C without cutting the dash or firewall.

suville · 09-25-2023, 07:31 PM

Nice steering wheel what is it? source?

**Ironhorse** · 09-25-2023, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suville

Nice steering wheel what is it? source?

Agree, nice looking steering wheel. Thinking that is most likely from a mid-60s Chevelle possibly a 64 or 65?

**68 C10 Driver** · 09-25-2023, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suville

Nice steering wheel what is it? source?

It is a steering wheel out of a 1965 Chevelle/El Camino. I watched a few YouTube videos on steering wheel restorations and thought I would give it a...spin.

Found it in eBay for cheap.

**MikeB** · 09-25-2023, 09:52 PM

Vintage Air and Old Air kits use a panel in place of the heater core. The heater hoses and AC hoses go through the panel. No firewall cutting required. On the inside you can use their left, right, and center under-dash vents. No dash cutting required.

09-25-2023, 07:57 AM	#1
HeavyHauler Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: USA Posts: 396	Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? Every once in a while I think about wanting A/C in my 1968 Chevy short bed fleetside. But the thought of cutting the firewall or the dash prevents me from doing it. My truck never had A/C from the factory but it does have factory 396 with 400 turbo transmission with black paint and red interior.

09-25-2023, 08:16 AM	#2
Ironhorse Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Wellington, Ks Posts: 10,260	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? You might consider an under dash unit? I once had a '72 Blazer (which I should have kept, LOL) that had an under dash unit. Don't remember the brand but it did a good job cooling. Would think such a unit would do even better in the smaller confines of a pickup cab. Would only require a drain line and the coolant lines thru the firewall. __________________ 1971 Chevy 1/2T 4x4 LWB 350 V-8 Was sm465-now 350TH/np205 Tilt, Tach, Towhooks Original Truck AM/FM Wellington, Ks

09-25-2023, 12:36 PM	#3
weq92f Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 3,118	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? . I once had an under dash unit in a '68. Sourced all the parts from salvage and had it going for just a few hundred bucks. That thing would freeze me out of the cab. Ran the drain through the rust hole in the floor LOL -klb __________________ 67 C10 fleet fuel injected '70 402, 700r4, 3.73 posi 07 335 sport turbo 6sp 94 Trans Am GT LT1 6sp posi -- sold after 22yrs 99 540 sport V8 6sp -- sold 73 240z L24 4sp -- given to friend 68 C10 step 350/350 3.73 open -- sold

09-25-2023, 01:03 PM	#4
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 46,997	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? You'll still need to make holes in the firewall for an underdash unit for the stuff to get to the compressor. I think Vinatge air or someone makes a vent panel that puts the AC vents under the dash so no need to cut there. With most of Today's aftermarket AC, the firewall is cut no more than what you would for an underdash unit. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

09-25-2023, 03:00 PM	#5
68 C10 Driver Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2020 Location: Kathleen, GA Posts: 643	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? This is the only way I know of adding A/C without cutting the dash or firewall. Attached Images

09-25-2023, 07:31 PM	#6
suville Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Mtn. Home, Idaho Posts: 906	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? Nice steering wheel what is it? source?

09-25-2023, 09:52 PM	#9
MikeB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: North Texas Posts: 3,544	Re: Any way to add A/C to 1967-1972 truck without cutting holes in firewall or dash? Vintage Air and Old Air kits use a panel in place of the heater core. The heater hoses and AC hoses go through the panel. No firewall cutting required. On the inside you can use their left, right, and center under-dash vents. No dash cutting required. __________________ Mike 1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes. 1982 C10 SWB -- sold 1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it! 1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming. Retired as a factory automation products salesman. Worked part-time over the years for an engine builder and a classic car repair shop. Member here for 24 years! This is the very first car/truck Internet forum I joined. I still used a dial-up modem back then!



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