87' 4x4

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Niiiiiice! I'll be curious to hear how you like the vintage air system. I've been looking at their stuff for potential A/C in my crew cab.

Have you started a build thread yet for the crew cab?

[MTCK]

I wish... I have been pretty busy with a winter project at work, but hope to dive into it after the new year.

[Greenlee]

I started working on getting the Vintage Air installed. I got the holes drilled in the firewall and the firewall cover installed.



I also got the unit bolted under the dash. This was a major PITA to get in there by myself. I could have used another set of hands on the other side of the firewall. I almost gave up and called a friend to come over and help, but I finally got it in.



While I have the dash apart I am mounting some speakers. These Pioneers were not a direct fit, but with some minor modifications to the brackets I got them in there.



I will keep plugging away on the AC. I flirted with the idea of having it installed, but the quote I got to install it was outrageous. So instead of paying to have it installed I bought an AC hose crimping tool, some gauges and a vacuum pump. It's always nice to have more tools!

[Greenlee]

I got my Vintage Air installed. It wasn’t too difficult, just time consuming. I put a vacuum on it for about an hour and the gauge didn’t move, so looks like there are no leaks. I put in two 12 oz. cans of Freon and it seems to be working good. It’s been pretty cool here so I haven’t had a chance to test it on a hot day. The heater works great.

For anybody using this kit with a late 80’s / early 90’s Serpentine belt set up, the stock belt is a couple inches too short for the new compressor. It took some guess work to find the right belt. I think the part number for the belt that fit was for a Crown Victoria. Also, the compressor is on the opposite side so the Vintage Air hoses are too long and have to be cut down.

Give me your honest opinions on the air cleaner. I had just got the fancy K&N top for the stock air cleaner, only to find out the stock air cleaner hit the new compressor. I cut the neck off for a temporary fix, but now I’m thinking it doesn’t look too bad with the neck cut off and I might leave it this way. The cold AC line acts as a cold air intake.



Here is pic of the control panel. The fan on this thing pushes a lot of air!



Also, check out my homemade door inserts. Just a few dollars from the fabric store.

[MTCK]

Looks great! Was your truck a non-A/C truck before? Looks like factory air vents? <'83 style wiper switch too? How are you liking the 3-speed? Inserts look awesome. You are motivating me.

PS I don't see anything wrong with your fancy air cleaner.

[mud.man.rj]

Nice work and like the air cleaner, looks good.

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by MTCK

Looks great! Was your truck a non-A/C truck before? Looks like factory air vents? <'83 style wiper switch too? How are you liking the 3-speed? Inserts look awesome. You are motivating me.

PS I don't see anything wrong with your fancy air cleaner.

Thanks Marcus! It was an AC truck. The cab is an 83' which is how it is titled. Probably should have named my build "83' 4x4". This thing is a mutt! I used parts from half a dozen different trucks and Suburbans. I had actually started building a different truck and bought this one while looking on Craigslist for parts.

The Vintage Air kit comes with flexible hose with adapters to connect to the factory vents. The kit replaces all of the duct work except for about 10 inches attached to the driver's side vent.

The TH400 is working good. I miss the overdrive a little on the highway, but I feel like this will be more reliable. I have blown up several 700r4's over the years. I guess me and 700r4's just don't get along.

Looking forward to seeing some more pics of your crew cab.

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by mud.man.rj

Nice work and like the air cleaner, looks good.

Thanks Mud Man!

[77ChevySharkBite]

Great job man!! It looks really really sharp!! Love the fabric!!

I'm kind of enjoying this cold weather just helps the vehicles run better

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by 77ChevySharkBite

Great job man!! It looks really really sharp!! Love the fabric!!

I'm kind of enjoying this cold weather just helps the vehicles run better

Thanks! It's definitely cold tonight!

[77ChevySharkBite]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

Thanks! It's definitely cold tonight!

You ain't lying buddy!! I'm enjoying my heater in the house right about now

[355bullet]

looks good!
Are those the stock leaf springs?

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by 355bullet

looks good!
Are those the stock leaf springs?

Thanks 355bullet. Yep, it's got the stock suspension.

I stayed pretty conservative with the tires and went with 31's. From what I have read on here 33's will fit with no lift. It has 3.42 gears and I was afraid with 33's it might hunt in and out of overdrive. Now that I am running the three speed I kind of wish I had 33's.

[Hankster]

The truck looks good! I like the red!

[rgunlock]

You have a great looking truck Greenlee! Just read your thread and where yours started is about where mine is now. Nice to see the finishing up phase on yours. What is left on your list?

[rs74]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

I started working on getting the Vintage Air installed. I got the holes drilled in the firewall and the firewall cover installed.



I also got the unit bolted under the dash. This was a major PITA to get in there by myself. I could have used another set of hands on the other side of the firewall. I almost gave up and called a friend to come over and help, but I finally got it in.



While I have the dash apart I am mounting some speakers. These Pioneers were not a direct fit, but with some minor modifications to the brackets I got them in there.



I will keep plugging away on the AC. I flirted with the idea of having it installed, but the quote I got to install it was outrageous. So instead of paying to have it installed I bought an AC hose crimping tool, some gauges and a vacuum pump. It's always nice to have more tools!

If you don't mind me asking, how much did this A/C system cost. I am thinking about doing the same thing. Did it affect the glove box door any? I have heard that it cuts down on the amount of room for the glove box. What are your thoughts on the install and the system itself. Anything you didn't care for? Does it take up alot of room. Not sure if I would go with the block off kit for the firewall like you have or weld it all up smooth. I would be interested in which system you got and your thoughts on it. Thanks.

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by rgunlock

You have a great looking truck Greenlee! Just read your thread and where yours started is about where mine is now. Nice to see the finishing up phase on yours. What is left on your list?

Thanks Rick! This was not near as much work as yours with all the sheet metal work you tackled. Like everyone always says, you're never really done with these projects. But, now that I have it where I can drive it I feel like I'm about done. I have been driving it more lately than working on it. There are a few things I haven't got around to doing yet. I have the wiring harness for the cruise control, but I haven't tried to get it working yet. Also, the truck originally had dual tanks, but I only have one tank right now. Maybe one of these days I will get around to finishing stuff like that! The next thing on my list is a receiver hitch so I can pull a trailer with it.

When I started this project I lived in your neck of the woods in Cypress.

[Greenlee]

Originally Posted by rs74

If you don't mind me asking, how much did this A/C system cost. I am thinking about doing the same thing. Did it affect the glove box door any? I have heard that it cuts down on the amount of room for the glove box. What are your thoughts on the install and the system itself. Anything you didn't care for? Does it take up alot of room. Not sure if I would go with the block off kit for the firewall like you have or weld it all up smooth. I would be interested in which system you got and your thoughts on it. Thanks.

It's the Vintage Air Sure Fit kit. I shopped around a little bit and it seemed to be about the same price no matter where you buy it (a little less than $1,300). I ended up buying directly from Vintage Air. I had to buy additional brackets for the compressor because I am running a serpentine belt set up.

The glove box is a little smaller now. They provide you with a piece of plastic and clips to modify the glove box. Other than taking up some of the space of the glove box it doesn't seem any larger under the dash than the stock system. The control panel actually takes up less room than the stock control panel. Also there is quite a bit more room under the hood.

I took my time on the install and read the instructions about a dozen times. It took a few days to get it in, but there was nothing that was terribly difficult about it. Now that I have done it once I could probably install it in a weekend.

Overall, I'm real happy with it. On the square body truck I had before this one, I replaced the stock compressor and a bunch of other parts and was never able to get the A/C to blow as cold as I thought it should be. I think the Vintage Air system probably works better than the stock system ever did.

[Greenlee]

It's been a while since I posted, but I have a few minor updates. I had an oil leak that was driving me crazy, but I think I finally got if fixed by replacing the gasket under the intake.

I got an old metal box for free. I slapped some paint on it and made a tool box out of it. I don't think it turned out too bad. I just have it mounted through one of the bed strips because I didn't want to drill holes in the bed. I may make it more permanent if I decide I like it.

I also got an air dam for the front. Call me crazy, but I think the truck goes down the road better with the air dam.

Finally, I hooked up a brake controller and put on a receiver hitch so I can pool my camper with it.

Here are some pics:

[Hankster]

The truck looks good, I've followed this build on and off, I was wondering why I haven't got updates in like a year.. Its because I wasn't sub'd.. Lol Good looking truck though!

[2000Limited]

Nice build, I just read the whole thing. Keep up the good work

[Greenlee]

Thanks for the kind words guys!

I haven't been doing much work on it lately. I took it to the beach yesterday. My buddy came with his K5. His Blazer is pretty sweet. He has 1 ton running gear under it. I need to try and talk him into doing a build thread.



Climbing a giant sand hill!

[storeyjr55]

what grill is that off of?
Truck looks great Any updates?

[77K10Silverado]

Looks good! Like the ac job.

[Greenlee]

Thanks guys! I didn't realize my build thread had been brought back to life.

The grill is from an 89' Suburban.

I just put a new radiator in it. I bought a boat and it was getting a little warm pulling the boat at freeway speeds. I had flushed the old radiator multiple times, but the coolant still turned nasty looking. I think the old radiator was just too far gone. I haven't tested it pulling the boat yet, but I can already tell it runs cooler.

I got some new wheels for it, but I haven't got them mounted yet. I will post some pics with the new shoes soon.