Air Conditioning

[Groyd]

Does anybody have any good/bad experiences with putting A/C in their trucks? I'm starting to look around here and haven't found any threads. Pics, as usual, would be appreciated.

-MG

[Indian113]

Theres some in the project section that have AC in them.

[youngrodder]

I used a vintage air kit made for 47-53 trucks. It is a pretty nice set up. If you are using a aftermarket bulkhead, getting the hoses set up on the inside can be tricky. Attached are some pics of a friend of mine that put in a similar set up in a suburban.

Marc

[solidaxel]

I have the Vintage Air on both of my AD's and they will cool your cab with LOTS of insulation.
There is enough room to place 4 hoses in the space between the kick panel and Cowl and hide all of your hoses under the wheel well.

[solidaxel]

All service parts of the A/C are in reach without adding more connections (leaks)

[Groyd]

That is a very clean setup.

[Roddude]

I just installed a Old Air Products bolt in unit in the panel I'm buildingnow. I use a Hot Rod Air in the 47 Pickup. No problems with either.

[57larry]

we use Vintage in everything we build, no problems, cools great

[bretcopsey]

I'm looking at the rear unit from Suburban, Tahoe etc. Factory engineering is hard to beat, replacement parts are available at the local parts store, and what I have found listed on eBay are cheap compared to the aftermarket companies.

For example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...%3AMEWAX%3AVRI

[skip99]

how would you run the controls on the tahoe unit?

[bretcopsey]

Those rear units have their own control panel. I'd find a way to mount it where it couldn't be easily seen.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/03-06...Q5fAccessories



Ideally, I want to find a donor vehicle that I can pull the HVAC unit, control, wiring etc. as a complete system.

[jimig1]

Originally Posted by bretcopsey

Those rear units have their own control panel. I'd find a way to mount it where it couldn't be easily seen.

Like the glove box?

[bretcopsey]

Originally Posted by jimig1

Like the glove box?

Perhaps. Though that seems like it could be a little cumbersome. I've thought about mounting the center trim on a hinge and building a recessed panel behind that, or on the front of the seat riser, in the middle...

I'm no where near that stage yet though.

[wpotter]

Just my opinion. Oem systems are built for that specific model and are usually harder to make work in a different vehicle. For the amount of time and work you will have in it you might as well of ordered a kit from Vintage Air. They offer direct bolt in kits for these trucks or you can put a custom kit together the way you want it. Just trying to keep things simple should pay off in the long run. Good luck with your project. We are building a 49 for my son and will be using the Vintage Air Sure Fit Kit for these trucks. Their price is $1150.00 for a whole kit but you can probably find a better price from a vendor on this forum.