I have a 1972 F250 with dealer air. It has the ac that stretches across under the truck dash. The heater and AC controls are integrated, but the control mechanism reaches over into the standard glove box so a very small glove box is in the original location with an additional glove box in the ac unit itself. I do not plan to use the big honkin AC compressor that came with it as it looks to be in bad shape. I want to tie compressor, condenser, dryer on on my 12cummins into the unit. I have removed the radiator and the components that go in front of it. I know a new dryer will be in order, but i'm not sure how to remove the unit from beneath the dash. I took the front to hanger bolts out, and i removed the factory glove box so i could see the controls.
Questions: 1) Should i use the dealer unit or pursue a different set up.
2) If so, what is the best way to remove it. Should i take the dash out or what???
3) Would i need to swap the dash out with the 69 for it all to hook up properly anyway.

Lastly, is the dealer ac unit going to be enough to cool the whole cab. I know my 2000 superduty struggles to keep it cool in south MS.

 

I had one of these types of units. You'll have to disconnect the heater hoses that go through the firewall to get it to drop down far enough. I had the heater core go out on me and I had to completely disassemble that POS to get it repaired. You'd think they would put an access door in the back to get to core. Nope, you have to start in the front and work back. What a PITA.

It's been more then 15 yrs, so it's foggy on the details, but there were only a few bolts holding it up. I removed it later on and installed a std heater assy in the truck, as I never did hook the a/c up. I bought the cab to replace my rotted one and it came with it.

Personally I would look at a Vintage air unit, or something like that. Much more condensed and easy to work with. They aren't that expensive and won't take up 1/2 the dash either.

 

What do you mean by vintage air unit? If you mean a factory in the dash unit, i don't think they made it for the 69. Let me know!

 

Vintage Air is a company that makes AC for older vehicles. Google 'em.

 

Your truck has factory installed integral A/C, not dealer installed A/C. Both types were offered for 1968/72 F100/350's / 1967's used a different 'hang on' A/C, the bezel is the same as 1965/66 Mustangs and etc.

Both factory & dealer A/C have "hang on" bezels bolted to the bottom of the dash. There are three types of these bezels, one is used w/factory A/C. The other two with Economy or Deluxe dealer A/C.

Factory installed integral A/C is combined with the heater. The A/C controls are located in the same panel as the heater controls.

Since the expansion valve mounts where the glove liner is, the liner used with factory A/C is shorter. There is another glovebox within the bezel.

Economy/Deluxe Dealer A/C's are not combined with the heater. The A/C controls (2 switches) are mounted into the bezels, there is no separate glove box.

1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog / Illustration Section 195, Page 5 = All the FACTORY INSTALLED integral A/C dash parts are shown in an exploded view.

Illustration Section 195, Page 18 = DELUXE DEALER installed A/C bezel has four individual registers, one on the far left, two within the center (2 switches located here) another on the far right. This bezel extends the entire length of the dash.

Illustration Section 195, Page 19 = ECONOMY DEALER installed A/C bezel is much shorter, has four individual registers in the center only. The two A/C switches mount on the left side of the bezel.

 

Sorry, here's the link to them
Vintage Air - Inventors of Performance Air Conditioning - www.vintageair.com

They make nice underdash units and they have heat/air units also. Pretty popular with the hot rod guys.

My '67 daily driver had the underdash(dealer installed type) and it worked okay. Not sure if it would keep a 4dr cool or not? Depending on how hot it was outside, so I would rather say it would be marginal enough for a big cab. When I scrapped the truck a few summers ago I kept everything. I was planning on installing it in my '59 Mack truck.

 

NumberDummy,

In your experience, what air unit ends up being the best choice? I may add one to a truck that never had it, and would like a really nice setup once it is all done and paid for. Any updates on the "green" side would be good, also.

 

Factory A/C was the better choice, but today, replacement parts are slim and none. Coupla years ago, I found the last available NOS expansion valve (C8TZ-19849-A) for a member of this forum.

 

I would go with these guys.

Custom Aftermarket A/C Systems & Replacement Parts for Hot Rod, Classic, & Vintage Cars/Trucks - 1967-72 Ford Pickup

They are a little more flexible if you want to change the kit up. They are very nice people as well. I have talked to the VA people at goodguys and they were *********s. I have a unique situation with a Comet I am building and the oldair guys bent over backwards to build me a custom kit. The vintage air guys said I will have to buy a falcon/comet kit then buy any addional stuff I didnt like or want from their falcon kit. They just want to sell kits to the Camaro and mustang guys. But whatever.

Classic air has a nice kit as well.

 

thanks for all of the replies. Lots of Choices to make there. I'm gonna pull the factory unit from the 72 anyway. I may not be able to get parts, but then again i may be able to help someone else down the road. I'd love to buy a new kit, but don't have the cash right now. It would certainly be worth the expenditure in the humid south Mississippi area. I want to be able to use the Dodge compressor that is on my 6bt already. I may use the condenser/dryer as well. I don't think i would ever pull off using the evaporator and custom fab the rest. I may look at the components and see if i can pull it off!!! not sure.

 

Uh huh and then what? Since this is factory installed integral A/C that is combined with the heater, you cannot remove the A/C dash related parts only.

You have to remove everything from under the dash (just wait till you see the complexity!). When you do, you will no longer have a heater or a defroster.

The only A/C parts that can be removed that will not compromise the heater are the mount and drive parts (compressor, brackets, pulleys and etc), condenser, dryer tank and hoses.

 

My '71 I sold had factory A/C. I put a new R/D on and charged it up. I had to turn it to low in over 100* heat. Mine was a standard cab though.

 

Like Bill says, you'll loose your heater.

Find yourself a std heater assy and bolt it back in the place of the factory AC unit. I did it years ago on my '70.

 

A Standard Cab has nothing to do with what type of A/C was installed in these trucks, since all A/C's were optional.

 

I think he was comparing the fact that his std cab had no problems keeping cool. The original poster is working on a crew cab and wonders if a factory style a/c unit will be large enough to cool it.