Old Air Products Underdash Slimline Air conditioner??

[jamesrtw]

It's funny, because I don't look at it as being THAT expensive (compared to other AC systems), but then reality sets in when I realize that is only $1000 less than what I paid for the entire truck!

That's the part I'm having trouble with, the system is adding up to what I paid for my truck. But to have a nice AC system, all the routes I'm looking at start adding up the dollars real quick, unless you found one hell of a deal on a compressor, hoses, interior stuff etc..

So yep it's definitely a tax return type item!

[Calfdemon]

Well, I started doing all the math in my head on what I have spent so far and what I have left to spend before putting my truck back together. All told, including what I paid for the truck, I will have about $12000.00 into it. But it will be a completely rebuilt 69 crew cab with new paint, a straight body, a clean new interior, as well as new wiring with power windows and doorlocks and remote entry system. So considering that I have over $30k into my Firebird, $12k is not too bad for this truck. And the reality is that while it wont be show quality to the effect that it could win best of show or something like that, it will be nice enough to enter in some smaller local shows and might turn a head or two. Who knows, it could possibly win some sort of truck class as long as there is not some $40k concourse quality truck in the show.

Anyway, it will be my driver and an actual truck for hauling the occasional item or load. And in SoCal, the A/C is pretty mandatory when it regularly gets over 110 in the summer.

[SANDHOG]

I apologize for the very long delay in posting pictures. The Classic Auto Air has been installed for a few months now, at least I can give you a few pros and cons. I did not do the install myself.

Pros - new AC and heat. Uses the original controls even if you did not have AC prior. I happen to like the original look. Does not take up any addtional space, where your heater once was your new heater is still there. Two new registers in the center of the dash and a single register on driver & passenger side. Classic Auto Air was very helpful and sent a few replacements when the originals did not quite work as they should (crimps were leaking).

Cons - besides the expense...glove box is now cut to about a 1/3 (or less) of the original (a new glove box insert is provided). I kind of miss that. I had to rotate my hazard switch to a vertical postion in order to fit all the hoses that are now behind the glove box. The passenger fresh air vent is gone. There are exposed hoses underneath the right front wheel well. I had a custom plate modded to protect the hoses from road debris etc (so far so good). I had to relocate my radiator overflow canister and if I ever decide to use my vacuum advance I am going to have to re-arrange a few things (pictures will tell that story).

I have not noticed any increase in temperature while the AC is running. As long as my truck is moving I have never overheated. I don't have a fan shroud either. If my truck does sit at idle for a while the temperature does increase but I am never sitting for a prolonged time. I initally thought about an auxillary fan but at this point in time no need yet.

[SANDHOG]

More pics....

[SANDHOG]

If you did not read the entire thread. I have a 68 F250 CS 390 with auto transmission.

[SANDHOG]

final pics

[Calfdemon]

How is the heating compared to the original heater? And how is the cooling with the A/C? I should be ordering mine in the next 2 weeks.

[91Bear]

Is there any way to get A/C without giving up the glove box?

[SANDHOG]

The heater works great. Living in Houston I don't use the heater much but I did use it twice this winter. To be honest I would have to say the cabs heats up quicker than it cools down with the AC but don't read that the wrong way as the AC works great as well. There are low, medium and high speeds for both AC and heat. I only used the low speed for heat and only for three minutes or so before the cab was too hot for my liking. Medium speed on the AC cools down the cab quickly and I switch to low to maintain the cool. Doesn't take much to heat or cool these cabs. Even for the crew cab you won't have an issue. The center register is the primary register and I would say 85% of the air/heat comes from this register. The two side registers simply don't pump out the air as much. I am assuming it is designed this way.

Glove box - I don't think there is a way around this as all the hoses supplied are pre cut to length but I would call to see if the "techs" have any suggestions. Not positive but I would estimate the depth of the glove box is now 3 inches.

Let me know if anyone needs more pictures.

[Calfdemon]

Thanks for posting those, I appreciate it. Can you post a picture of the "shield" you made to cover the hoses in the wheelwell? When I was looking at the installation manual that I downloaded last month, I was thinking the same thing since the hoses run through the wheelwell and I had the same idea. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I would like to see what you did and get some ideas from that.

Thanks for the update!

[fireguywtc]

Looks like a nice system, but I really dislike the way the AC lines are run. Is that really the best design they could come up with?

[SANDHOG]

As you can imagine pictures of the "shield" are pretty diffucult w/o removing the tire. More or less it is a "L" with the shorter portion at the top of the wheel well (not visible in the pics) and the longer portion screwed to the wheel well from inside the wheel well and the engine compartment. Dont' know if you can really decipher much but I guess it is a start.

[69SCJ]

Thanks for the update and pics!

FYI, you could still use your vacuum advance by moving the dizzy one tooth counter clockwise.

[Calfdemon]

Thanks for posting the "shield" picture. It gives me a good idea on how to proceed with it. What size tires are you running? Just curious if you get any tire rub on the metal plate.. I am running 33" on 16.5 wheels, so I will have to make my "shield" pretty snug.

Anyway, I ordered my system on Monday, so it should be here in another week. Of course, my truck is still in paint and I dont expect it back for another month. So this will just be another box up in the garage rafters.

[SANDHOG]

I have 265/75/16 tires on the truck. They look like a tight fit on the front but there are not any issues.

Thanks for the info on the dizzy/va. This question probably for another section but what is the advantage using the vacuum advance? The va was not connected when i purchased the truck and i dont know anything about the pros/cons (my first project truck). I am currently getting 6-7 mpg using low grade gas (with ethanol). Would my mpg improve by 2 mpg?

Thanks