stock AC on 73-87 C10? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fluffyfreak · 03-10-2015, 11:18 PM

Anyone out there running the stock AC and bagged on 22s? And have pix? Would like to save the cost of running a vintage air kit if i can. Thanks in advance!

**1774btcrew** · 03-11-2015, 01:12 AM

I don't have an answer for you but there are a lot of older aftermarket a/c units for these trucks that can be bought for a lot less than a new vintage air unit.

**hatzie** · 03-11-2015, 02:18 AM

You'll want the later Orifice tube systems.
The earlier TXV systems don't do as well on R134.

Your best system will still be a hybrid but it's not going to cost what a Vintage air kit does.
You'll probably want to upgrade the less reliable Harrison R4 radial compressor to a more modern reliable Sanden 508. The hoses need to be updated for R134 so making a set to mate the 508 to the rest of the system isn't as big a deal as it would be if you were keeping R12.

Liberty · 03-11-2015, 06:41 AM

I'm running stock AC on my truck with R134. It will freeze you out of the cab! Be glad chevy way oversized their condensors on these trucks.

That being said, it was $1,500 to upgrade my AC to be able to take R134 (it was broke when I bought the truck, I probably overpaid too)

My R4 comp blew out a seal in under a year, so if you stick with the pancake, make sure you don't get a reman unit.

03-10-2015, 11:18 PM	#1
fluffyfreak Registered User Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: albuquerque nm Posts: 204	stock AC on 73-87 C10? Anyone out there running the stock AC and bagged on 22s? And have pix? Would like to save the cost of running a vintage air kit if i can. Thanks in advance!

03-11-2015, 01:12 AM	#2
1774btcrew Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 4,602	Re: stock AC on 73-87 C10? I don't have an answer for you but there are a lot of older aftermarket a/c units for these trucks that can be bought for a lot less than a new vintage air unit. __________________ AZPartsLocators on Instagram 1972 Cheyenne Super Short Bed big block "Blackie" 1977 Crew Cab GMC Short bed with 4BT Intercooled Cummins Diesel and a 4L80e "The Junkyard Dog" 1985 Crew Cab Chevy dually with 5.9 Cummins "The Big Dog" This is what my dad liked to be called by the grandkids before he passed so it seems fitting for his old truck.

03-11-2015, 02:18 AM	#3
hatzie Moderator Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wentworth, NH Posts: 5,014	Re: stock AC on 73-87 C10? You'll want the later Orifice tube systems. The earlier TXV systems don't do as well on R134. Your best system will still be a hybrid but it's not going to cost what a Vintage air kit does. You'll probably want to upgrade the less reliable Harrison R4 radial compressor to a more modern reliable Sanden 508. The hoses need to be updated for R134 so making a set to mate the 508 to the rest of the system isn't as big a deal as it would be if you were keeping R12. __________________ 1959 M35A2 LDT465-1D SOLD 1967 Dodge W200 B383, NP420/NP201 SOLD 1969 Dodge Polara 500 B383, A833 SOLD 1972 Ford F250 FE390, NP435/NP205 SOLD 1976 Chevy K20, 6.5L, NV4500/NP208 SOLD 1986 M1008 CUCV SOLD 2000 GMC C2500, TD6.5L, NV4500 2005 Chevy Silverado LS 2500HD 6.0L 4L80E/NP263 2009 Impala SS LS4 V8 RTFM... GM Parts Books, GM Schematics, GM service manuals, and GM training materials... 1973-1991 GM Light Truck Service, Unit/Overhaul, Wiring Manuals, Parts Books and Some 1968-1999 GM Service Training textbooks in PDF 1988-1998 GMT400 CK service manual project 1988-1993 GMT400 CK parts books. 1967-1972 GM Light, Medium, & Heavy Truck Service Manuals in PDF Please include at least the year and model in your threads. It'll be easier to answer your questions. And please let us know if and how your repairs were successful.

03-11-2015, 06:41 AM	#4
Liberty Registered User Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Bonham, Texas Posts: 241	Re: stock AC on 73-87 C10? I'm running stock AC on my truck with R134. It will freeze you out of the cab! Be glad chevy way oversized their condensors on these trucks. That being said, it was $1,500 to upgrade my AC to be able to take R134 (it was broke when I bought the truck, I probably overpaid too) My R4 comp blew out a seal in under a year, so if you stick with the pancake, make sure you don't get a reman unit.



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