vintage air control panel and smooth dash - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cobra!tx · 03-18-2010, 02:12 PM

I put a vintage air system in my 56 truck and now want to change the stock controls to something alittle nicer-I want to fill the dash and use billet controls-anyone do this?what controls work?did you fill the dash with a aftermarket panel or make your own-any ideas or pics would be great Thanks

Richard H. · 03-18-2010, 04:34 PM

Is it heat and air? I'm doing a mock-up for my 71 with V air and using the 4 knob billet piece and it is nice. Oval about 6" x 1".

OrrieG · 03-18-2010, 04:40 PM

The only fill or patch panels I have seen are for the radio knob area. Every build I have seen here with smooth dashes have been fabbed by the builder.

cobra!tx · 03-18-2010, 04:48 PM

its heat and air but i emailed vintage air and they said i cannot use the knobs since its cable operated-so now what-I am going to call them and see what the tech dept says

-I saw a filler piece on the brothers web site just wondering if its easier to fab one or buy one

hotrodrookie · 03-18-2010, 05:58 PM

Are you planning on filling the entire dash including the glove box? If so it might be easier to use the panel from brothers so the whole thing is nice and even. I did mine with two seperate pieces. I thought the method of tacking the top of it and bending and tacking would work ok for the glove box, it turned to be a major PITA. Looking back I should have took my time bending and fitting the piece before welding it in, but hey, thats how you learn, and its just metal.

OrrieG · 03-18-2010, 08:15 PM

Keep in mind that some of the control, hose and other install takes place through the glove box opening, at least that is what it looks like when I tucked mine up under the dash to see how it would fit.

renegade6 · 03-18-2010, 10:30 PM

I used the Brother's panel on mine but, kept the glove compartment. I saw someone not too long ago who had used the billet controls on their AC system. I think the only thing will be that you can't get a direct fit system.

cobra!tx · 03-19-2010, 04:25 PM

just talked to the guys at vintage air and they said only the factory controls will work-so now i need to locate some -Anyone ever move the factory controls the the ash tray location?I heard some were they will fit right there

03-18-2010, 02:12 PM	#1
cobra!tx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 10	vintage air control panel and smooth dash I put a vintage air system in my 56 truck and now want to change the stock controls to something alittle nicer-I want to fill the dash and use billet controls-anyone do this?what controls work?did you fill the dash with a aftermarket panel or make your own-any ideas or pics would be great Thanks

03-18-2010, 04:34 PM	#2
Richard H. Spanked once Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Intheshop, Indiana Posts: 969	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash Is it heat and air? I'm doing a mock-up for my 71 with V air and using the 4 knob billet piece and it is nice. Oval about 6" x 1". __________________ The ole 350 budget build.

03-18-2010, 04:40 PM	#3
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash The only fill or patch panels I have seen are for the radio knob area. Every build I have seen here with smooth dashes have been fabbed by the builder. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

03-18-2010, 04:48 PM	#4
cobra!tx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 10	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash its heat and air but i emailed vintage air and they said i cannot use the knobs since its cable operated-so now what-I am going to call them and see what the tech dept says -I saw a filler piece on the brothers web site just wondering if its easier to fab one or buy one

03-18-2010, 05:58 PM	#5
hotrodrookie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sacramento Posts: 425	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash Are you planning on filling the entire dash including the glove box? If so it might be easier to use the panel from brothers so the whole thing is nice and even. I did mine with two seperate pieces. I thought the method of tacking the top of it and bending and tacking would work ok for the glove box, it turned to be a major PITA. Looking back I should have took my time bending and fitting the piece before welding it in, but hey, thats how you learn, and its just metal. Attached Images

03-18-2010, 08:15 PM	#6
OrrieG Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Idaho Posts: 8,800	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash Keep in mind that some of the control, hose and other install takes place through the glove box opening, at least that is what it looks like when I tucked mine up under the dash to see how it would fit. __________________ 1959 Chevy Short Fleetside w/ 74 4WD drive train (current project) OrrieG Build Thread 1964 Chevelle Malibu w/ 355-350TH (daily driver) Helpful AD and TF Manual Site Old Car Manual Project

03-18-2010, 10:30 PM	#7
renegade6 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Texarkana, TX Posts: 443	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash I used the Brother's panel on mine but, kept the glove compartment. I saw someone not too long ago who had used the billet controls on their AC system. I think the only thing will be that you can't get a direct fit system. __________________ Brandon 63 Biscayne https://www.pro-touring.com/threads/90718-63-Biscayne 57 Chevy Truck (sold)http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=321380 72 K20 Long bed stepside (wife's) 72 K20 Long bed 396 (flip or keep...?) The latest build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...76#post8438476

03-19-2010, 04:25 PM	#8
cobra!tx Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Plano Texas Posts: 10	Re: vintage air control panel and smooth dash just talked to the guys at vintage air and they said only the factory controls will work-so now i need to locate some -Anyone ever move the factory controls the the ash tray location?I heard some were they will fit right there



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