I am looking to put AC in my 66 F-100, did they come with ac then. I would like to use ford parts if I can, has anyone put a complete unit from a newer truck in the older ones. I would think that the whole unit from the later years would fit. I would just like to use all ford parts if I can.
Thanks Bill

 

Yes they did have AC, but they were installed at the dealership. they are the under dash units like the ARA unit i removed from my 66.... if you have a FE engine i have the AC bracket and the York compressor as well as the under dash unit itself with some hoses i dont plan to use. send me a PM if your intrested.

 

As Bill W. said, the factory didn't install a/c in 1966, but dealers could and they were underdash units, whatever the dealer had on hand. So they might be Mustang/Falcon units, or possibly Galaxie units. If your truck is a 4 speed you will have interference with the shifter issues; you'll need to get a different shifter or get yours rebent. I am installing a Classic Auto Air "Perfect Fit" unit in my '66 CC, with 352/4 speed. I had to get the correct crankshaft pulley from Bill W. (Thanks, Bill!). The under hood stuff from CAA bolted up pretty well with no major issues. The in cab unit integrates both a/c and heater, which has some advantages, but takes up a massive amount of room, virtually wiping out your glovebox for any use (except possibly one pair of gloves!). I personally wasn't thrilled with the supplied vent registers so I modified theirs and made my own. Since CAA sells rebuilt '65-'66 Mustang/Falcon underdash evaporators, one way to go might be to get that and the under hood stuff and leave the heater (and glovebox) alone.

 

FoMoCo's Rotunda A/C also dealer installed in 1965/66's. The bezel is similar to the Mustang/Falcon/Fairlane unit, but the two switches are located in a different position, the 4 round registers are smaller in diameter.

Rotunda was a line of accessories offered for these trucks. Later became Ford's name for shop tools.

 

Thanks for all of the info & offers guys, I guess I did not word it right. I have a 460 out of a 73 LTD with all of the brackets, so I was wondering if anyone had tried to install a a/c unit from a newer truck. I like to try & up date my projects with newer Ford parts if I can. But if it will not work I will go with a under the dash unit. But I would like to try & use a unit from say around the 70s or so & see if it would work with the 66. So if any one has tried this I would like to know how you did it or if it will just not work.
Thanks Bill

 

Here are a couple shots of the one in my truck. This will be removed as well as the factory heater in exchange for a Vintage Air unit.

 

Osiyo59,
Is that the dealer installed unit? Its real close to the gear shifter...what trans is that?

 

I have a 1975 ford truck steering column with a power steering gear box, with disk brakes up front. It has a 1973 460 out of a LTD with alum heads & roller rockers with a C6 trans. With it having a auto trans space is not a problem, that is why I thought I might be able to make one work out of a newer truck. It is now going to be completly stock, it has a lot of after market stuff in the drive train.
I bought it as a project that someone else started, & I am trying to finish it. I have never got one that is this far along, that someone else started. I am use to starting from the frame up, that way I know what I want to do from the start. Starting from were some one else left off is a little bit different. But for the price that I got it for I am not going to complain, there is more in the drive train than what I bought the whole truck for.

 

From what I can see of it, it does not resemble genuine Ford dealer installed hang-on A/C's. The bezel is much smaller, the round registers appear to be black.

Were chromed plastic on the originals. It might be "Polar-Aire" but only if the entire bezel is plastic.

Polar-Aire was usually only installed in 1956/64 Passenger Cars.

 

here is the unit that was in my 63 f250.... i think it was dealer installed.
(notice the shifter handle) lol

actually i have 2 of them, i know one is an ARA unit.

 

hey bill, looks like mine but mine is under the dash by the glove box side

 

Both the A/C pictured in Bill W's post and the one above are aftermarket.

Bill W: That's a 1962/63 Fairlane radio in your truck.

If its bezel is large enough, this radio could be used to cover the holes peeps cut in dashes.

And while this radio is not original, it looks sorta original.

 

The reason I asked about the trans and the AC in Osiyo59 's truck is his unit looks almost like the one I have but it has four round vents in the front and one on each side. It does have a Ford insignia (which could have been just stuck there). There is no model # or clue on it.
...and seeing how close his shifter is, and these "custom" gear shifters, makes me wonder if I'm going to do that to the ZF S5-42 shifter when I put that trans in? Or does that shifter sit farther back? From what I have read, I was thinking the seat was the problem...

 

1965/66 hang-on A/C bezel is the same as 1965/66 Mustang / 1963/65 Falcon/Fairlane.

The entire face of the bezel is chromed steel, has 4 round plastic chromed registers (O).

The two A/C switches (o) are located thus: O o O O o O

In between the two center registers (towards the top of the bezel) is a Ford emblem (coat of arms).

The Rotunda A/C bezel is similar in appearance. The 4 round chromed plastic registers are smaller in diameter, the 2 switches are mounted dead center, one atop the other.

AFAIK, there is no emblem...the parts catalog pic doesn't show one.

 

Mr. Bill... you are the man.
I had started to apologize in my post for not giving you a whole lot to go on, but I 'Knew' there was no need to. It don't bother you, I've never seen you stumped from the lack of a good part description yet...
I've heard "some" say that you prefer it that way.
Thanks for the info....