Yes the door swinging open pushes the mechanism to push the step out for stepping into the van. The lever activates everytime the door opens. It is not electrical. But manual. I can see some people disconnecting these. But I still to have one.

 

We're talking about two different kinds of steps. One is the kind that slides out from under the van when you open the side door. Jippah showed us a picture of it mounted on a blue van. The step is wide enough to hold both your feet. These typically came on the deluxe buses to help people get in and out of the back seats.

The other kind that Jippah showed us (bright silver color), and Bill mentioned the part numbers, is for the pickup truck. For that one you cut a hole in the side of the truck and mount this with the flange flush with the body. The step is large enough for the toes of one foot. I've usually seen them mounted on the driver side near the front of the bed.

 

Back to the original question about factory AC.

Here is a link to a picture of the factory AC.

Econoline Air Conditioning

 

Gee whiz, don't any of y'all have 1957/63 & 1964/72 Ford truck parts catalogs?

 

i know i've seen that compressor on ebay quite a few times, a company that goes by the name of 4seasons manufactures them. I was litterally about to post a pic/link of one to ask the validity of their claim (econoline compressor), but it turns out that truly is them.
these pages from your catalog are extremely impressive and very imformative.
I must print them!! i love looking at this type of paperwork for these old vans!

however, im a bit disoriented on where these larger assemblies reside in the van itself.. im sure its obvious, but i cant see it lol

*EDIT* oh man, i just figured it ou tand i feel pretty stupid. that condenser sits on the roof and the blower vents sit on the rear of the dog house.

 

It's a little easier to visualize on the web page I posted earlier.

Econoline Air Conditioning