47-55.1 Where did you put your AC vents?

[FatherandSon]

I'm installing a Vintage AC system in my 50 AD. It came with the under dash bar for the vents and controls but I'm not sure I want to use it. I know some have installed vents in the radio grill and knobs in the former choke hole etc. but I can't locate the threads. If you have AC in your AD where did you install the vents and knobs and are you happy with the locations? Thanks!

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by FatherandSon

I'm installing a Vintage AC system in my 50 AD. It came with the under dash bar for the vents and controls but I'm not sure I want to use it. I know some have installed vents in the radio grill and knobs in the former choke hole etc. but I can't locate the threads. If you have AC in your AD where did you install the vents and knobs and are you happy with the locations? Thanks!

On my last two builds I added a lower dash panel for AC controls and vents. I personally don't care for the look of the VA plastic lower dash. Here are a few pics

Marc

[BBPanel]

Originally Posted by youngrodder

On my last two builds I added a lower dash panel for AC controls and vents. I personally don't care for the look of the VA plastic lower dash. Here are a few pics. Marc

Looks very nice. The dash vents are plastic or metal? Whose are they? Looks like a Sub or Panel - does the single unit handle the volume? Thanks. -Bob

Just noticed link to your build - sorry, haven't had a chance to go through the 43 pages.

[youngrodder]

Originally Posted by BBPanel

Looks very nice. The dash vents are plastic or metal? Whose are they? Looks like a Sub or Panel - does the single unit handle the volume? Thanks. -Bob

Just noticed link to your build - sorry, haven't had a chance to go through the 43 pages.

The vents are both Vintage Air. The black vents in my Suburban are black billet (not cheap). The chrome ones in my black 48 truck where plastic.

Thanks
Marc

[FatherandSon]

Nice work! Looking for a way to integrate everything into the stock dash if possible. My fab skills aren’t as good as yours��. Hurricane has a vent behind the speaker grill but haven’t seen it.

[e015475]

Here's an ac vent behind the speaker - home made

The vents installed where the speaker would go-



The dash with the speaker cover installed- (the radio is just a dummy)



This is the assembly ready to mount in the dash - it uses the two studs from the trim to hold it in place



To build it, I made a quick CAD drawing of the mounting plate - the dark red lines are the opening in the dash superimposed over the part- wanted to make sure the plastic vents would fit.



Knocked this out on a waterjet, but it'd be very easy to make by hand too



I took some rod stock and glued it to the back of the grill in a feeble effort to not block the flow



I haven't figured out how to adjust the louvers yet. I'm not sure it is necessary. In Phoenix, where I built this truck, the AC vent usually stays where its pointed and comfort is adjusted with the fan and temp. We'll see.

In Phoenix, just these two vents won't cut it, so I'm also planning on having a couple vents hanging off the bottom of the dash. There was a Ford truck at the local SoCal Speed Shop that had them on hinges at each corner of the dash so they'd fold up out of the way for shows/winter. Might try that approach too.

[FatherandSon]

Nice! Yeah I was thinking I may still have to add under dash vents at either end too. Did you buy those vents and the plastic surround or fab them?

[R&B51]

Like your thread and replies, heading same direction on my 51. Saw some units ready to plug into valence that also could adjust flow beyond direction I might order to see if will work-what do you think?

[FatherandSon]

They could work. My son and I have also been thinking of using similar corner vent assemblies from the 67-72 C10. They’re readily available and look
era appropriate.

https://www.classicparts.com/mobile/...ctinfo/68-952/

https://www.classicparts.com/mobile/...info/68-952LC/