Aftermarket AC options

[Rich69shortfleet]

My 69 is a non-factory AC truck. Years ago I got tired of sweating my rear off hauling the Chevelle to distant shows so I added an inexpensive AC system to the truck. This system is entirely standalone from the heater. It does work well, but the huge system hanging under the dash is a real kneeknocker and pretty much precludes anyone sitting in the center of the bench seat. It is also very LOUD.

I'd like to upgrade the system to an in-dash system or at least a smaller underdash system and perhaps reuse my compressor, condensor and drier systems which I already have installed on the truck. I've been looking at the Vintage Air GenV evaporator only system kit which looks like could be made to work with what I already have.

This is what I've been looking at: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/v...ckup/year/1969

Are there any other options out there that would fit my situation?

Here's what I already have looks like (note that the underdash gauges are gone now as I converted to factory gauges in the dash):

[mr48chev]

Old air shows a couple of inside packages like what you are thinking about that are heat/ac and replace your heater https://www.oldairproducts.com/produ...inside-package

The Vintage Air kit is somewhat as in quite a bit more expensive but includes the filler panel to close off the factory heater opening and maybe more factory looking outlets https://vintageair.com/1967-72-chevr...vaporator-kit/

I've always been a Vintage Air fan because I was often at rod trots with the guys who started it when I lived in Texas in the 70's but lately they are getting out of my price range. They are in San Antonio and Old air is in Dallas and both outfits know how to deal with keeping a truck cool inside.

[cj847]

There are other offerings:

Classic auto air, Restomod air, Old air, etc. Vintage is the most popular and may be the best.

I only have experience with old air and vintage. The vintage unit will definitely keep you cooler of those two. The only one I might try next time is the Restomod unit. Not that I'm dissatisfied with vintage, but just to know who's best.

PS> To my knowledge none of the companies publish performance numbers like BTU's etc. So, they all claim to be great.

Details: Old air- older technology, has a nice control panel, has heat, air and defrost, however the heat come out of the A/C vents, there is no heat blowing out the bottom. The unit is really compact and you keep virtually all of you glove box. If that's important to you.

Vintage air: Latest technology, extra charge for a nice electronic control panel. A/C, heat, and defrost with all the traditional outlets (ie heat out the bottom). Unit is big and takes up most of the glove box area. I don't like their heater bypass valve, I had trouble with it on my LS, but I have seen them on several other people's LS swaps so probably just my bad luck.

[Rich69shortfleet]

One of the things I like about the Vintage Air package is that it can make use of my stock control panel. I don't have to install something new that doesn't look OEM or cost even more, though their overall package is quite a bit more expensive.

I do like the idea of retaining a larger portion of the glovebox like with the Old Air system.

I do like the Old Air choice of underdash outlets since I have an aftermarket stereo and larger speakers in the top of the dash which I understand can interfere with the stock style center outlet above the radio.

Classic Auto Air only seems to sell complete kits and thus is quite a bit more expensive. Restomod Air has full kits that are even more expensive and their interior only kits are a lot more universal fit than some of the others.

I wonder if I could somehow blend the Vintage Air kit with some kind of underdash outlets to minimize the metal cutting and avoiding conflicts with my stereo and speakers?

[awryexperiment]

I have a Vintage Air system in my truck, installed in 1996. It still runs well and tech support is very good when I need a repair or part. It is a bit noisy, but that might be down to the age of the fan. Its a pretty clean installation and doesn't distract your eye either under the hood or in the cab.

[WHYBYNU]

I've had Vintage air since 2022 has cooled flawlessly. I used the stock controls and couldn't be happier.

[weq92f]

.

VA support is very good. I see both VA and Old Air at the shows so they both seem well established.

I'm considering an upgrade, maybe next season. When it happens I'll be going with the VA Gen 5 evaporator unit. No reason one of these wouldn't work with your existing under hood setup. You'd need to install vents and hoses, hang and plumb the evaporator and it's possible your existing line routing wouldn't need changing.

Currently that is going for right at $1400. Don't think that includes the vents and hoses.

Hth,

-Kevin

[PbFut]

It seems to me that one could put together a factory used system for about the same or less than the aftermarket kits. I did not find it difficult to replace my fire damaged system 6 months ago. I had to replace everything on front side of firewall except compressor. All electrical, vents and cables replaced as well. The interior case and controls were not replaced. I may be 600 all in and it works very well. It's more effort to find the parts, that's for sure.

[jumpsoffrock]

If you are young, ready to hit the ground running, have time on your hands, and not a lot of money, I would always advise that person to look locally for a parts truck they can rob the parts from and do a factory install.

For basically anyone else in any other "category" ya gotta go aftermarket. It's not much more expensive, it's widely available with tech support, and there are how to videos.

Factory-used-parts-install can't beat that..

[Rich69shortfleet]

I'm waiting for a call back from Old Air, I'm thinking they may be able to piece together a package for more of what I need and want than Vintage Air can. I also like not losing most of my glovebox.

[Rich69shortfleet]

Got a call back from Old Air and they pointed me toward a kit that would exactly fit the bill for what I want and need. Noticeably less expensive than something equivalent from Vintage Air and I end up retaining much more of my glovebox. Still, not inexpensive, but it would be worth it to get rid of that huge evaporator hanging under the dash.

[425HP409]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

Got a call back from Old Air and they pointed me toward a kit that would exactly fit the bill for what I want and need. Noticeably less expensive than something equivalent from Vintage Air and I end up retaining much more of my glovebox. Still, not inexpensive, but it would be worth it to get rid of that huge evaporator hanging under the dash.

I have installed many Old Air systems and you will not find a better company to work with you to get what you want.

[Rich69shortfleet]

I was getting all ready to order a kit from Old Air and then they raised the kit price by $300. Now the Vintage Air kit is less expensive. Hmmm.

[weq92f]

.

Seems to be the trend lately.

If VA raises their price before you decide...

-Kevin

[MS66]

Originally Posted by Rich69shortfleet

I was getting all ready to order a kit from Old Air and then they raised the kit price by $300. Now the Vintage Air kit is less expensive. Hmmm.

Old Air: Summer time, let's cook everybody's goose!!
That's not cool. No pun intended either. Probably a combination of the time of year, their website traffic, and well, greed I reckon might be part of it.

[chappys4life]

I have classic auto air in my c10 and it’s not as good as vintage air in other vehicles I have owned. My 78 bronco with vintage air cooler better than my classic auto air. Got Vintage Air

[Rich69shortfleet]

i've decided to spend my additional funds elsewhere. I'll circle back to an AC upgrade if and when someone perhaps has a sale. I'm in no hurry, my current system works just fine.