Underdash A/C unit

[Touchdown67]

Okay It's almost summertime... I'm thinking about installing a underdash A/C unit in my 65 C10. I have been looking at older used units and also a Vintage Air MarkIV. I am also considering about not putting the dlx. heater unit back in the truck because I'm not sure if it will all fit under the dash. Does anyone have thoughts or photos of some nice factory looking setups? Thanks....

['63GENIII]

I'm not sure if you're looking for the "factory" installed type or the dealer "Cool Pack" underdash type. I've got a Equip-Aire cool pack type that came out of a '63 Impala. Got it mounted under dash. Also have a Sanden compressor with the serpentine drive off a '97. Just looking for a crossflow condenser to fit in front of the radiator and I'd be ready to run hoses. Until then, it just looks pretty cool!

[aerotruk63]

You should reconsider the Deluxe heater idea. There's more room with it under the dash. The last year for the cool pack under the dash was 64, I was told, as 64 did not option in dash air. Can anyone confirm this. The Cool Pack could have been mounted in the center of the dash, below the radio on three speeds and automatics or under the glovebox on four speeds. You might want to buy an Accessories Installation Manual to give you an idea of how the plumbing and electrical was hooked up.

[64fleetside]

In-dash was first available in '64, the Cool-pak was also available as a lower cost dealer option thru 66 IIRC-I know a '60-63 Cool Pak will fit under the '64 dash OK w/the deluxe heater-I had one I thought about using, but sold it to a guy w/a '63.

[Surfdaddy]

Mine has a dealer installed unit Frigette. It's the next thing I'm going to work on. I spoke to a A/C shop about the compressor and they said that it might take up to 60 hp to run it. It's the orig York model compressor,They also said I can retrofit a new compressor that will take 1/10th the hp to run.

[nbrfd007]

Originally Posted by Surfdaddy

Mine has a dealer installed unit Frigette. It's the next thing I'm going to work on. I spoke to a A/C shop about the compressor and they said that it might take up to 60 hp to run it. It's the orig York model compressor,They also said I can retrofit a new compressor that will take 1/10th the hp to run.

I picked up a Frigette unit just like that a few weeks ago. Can't wait to see how well it works, trying to cool a Suburban.

[1966JSM]

thanks for posting this touchdown, I drove my truck yesterday around noon time and thought I was in a oven about to be on someones plate soon.. damn az heat a/c and p/s is a must for me now.. I looked at the LMC one and brothers setup but havent seen it installed in someone truck yet

[1999corvette]

I've been driving my truck yesterday and today, no a/c, it's not that bad if you bring some cold water to drink.

I have a small lunch sized igloo cooler I put some ice in, and a bottle of water, and a bottle of gatorade.

For the first time ever, I opened up the floor vents today, blew out some leaves going 65.

Also have both windows down, and both wing windows open.

I bought a underdash unit out of a 1965 C10, but someone on another forum thought it was out of a Nova.

[1966JSM]

Originally Posted by 1999corvette

I've been driving my truck yesterday and today, no a/c, it's not that bad if you bring some cold water to drink.

I have a small lunch sized igloo cooler I put some ice in, and a bottle of water, and a bottle of gatorade.

For the first time ever, I opened up the floor vents today, blew out some leaves going 65.

Also have both windows down, and both wing windows open.

I bought a underdash unit out of a 1965 C10, but someone on another forum thought it was out of a Nova.

I was in too much of a hurry to go get some parts so I had to go swoop them up quick lol.. I had all the windows down and vents open

[1999corvette]

If it was 110 or hotter, I probably would not be able to handle it for more than a short trip.

I drove the truck at 118 summer of 2005 and got a headache, with the high pitched sound ringing in my ears, and felt kinda throw-up-ish.

[1999corvette]

[1999corvette]

I don't see a blower motor in this, just a evaporator coil, I'm thinking it uses the blower from the heater?

[Surfdaddy]

I'm debating wether to retrofit a new type compressor or rebuild the old one. My V6 only had 160 hp when new, though it's only got 77k on it. And taking a lot of HP to run the compressor bothers me I'm still trying to stay OEM and period correct but I don't know which would be better.

[jocko]

i'm in the same boat. i live in the mojave desert, just getting into the mid-90's so still arctic by August standards. I love the looks of the under-dash units. Here's a pic of one of my favorites along with a stock setup and what I think is a very nice, subtle approach with custom vents.

Here's some linkies:
Mark IV (under dash portion only) http://www.hotrodexpress.com/index.p...t_detail&p=177
Thread on a nicely hidden a/c system by another member: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=364840
Nice assortment of custom vents if you decide to install them: http://www.yogisinc.com/index.cfm/pa...at/cat2504.htm
Classic Auto Air's 64-66 system (I REALLY LIKE this system since it lets you keep your dash looking pretty darn stock, button/control-wise - they have a 60-63 system also) http://www.classicautoair.com/?q=64_..._Chevy_AC.html
Good misc a/c part supplier: http://www.docsblocks.com/categories.asp?cat=10
Old Air Products (I like this sytem also): http://www.oldairproducts.com/catalo...120132064.html
Was gonna post a Vintage Air link, but for some reason, my computer's not diggin that site right now.

So many options, so few trucks (or too few $).
Anyway, thought I'd post a few of the things I was considering doing to mine. after the brakes. and after the transmission. i think it's gonna be a hot summer....

[Touchdown67]

Great posts all... Thanks for all the great words and ideas. I really like the Frigette Surfdaddy. That is what I want to install..

[awbrown]

I want to make my own evaporator box and use the deluxe heater and fan , I just have to put a series of valves on the heater hoses because my valve on the heater core is shot ....