I am getting ready to add A/C to the '53 panel. I've been looking at the Vintage Air Surefit for the 53-56 F100's. However, these are designed for a pick-up and I have much more interior area to cool. Has anyone done the Surefit in a panel and if so does it give enough cooling?

 

Given the room that you have in that panel you may want to think a little outside the box...or in this case "outside the dash". I have seen installations where the A/C unit was actually mounted behind the seat...nothing sacred about the underdash mounting, you just have to run your lines a little differently. Since I don't know what your interior setup looks like it would be hard to make recommendations, just saying that there are other options available. Good luck...

 

sorry to hijack your thread but i was kind of wondering what motor they assume you have with that kit? along with if anyone knows if it will fit with the factory heater box in place?

 

They have mounting kits for almost any motor. I think the standard kit includes most Ford or Chevy engines. If you have something "different" like my MOPAR, they have the brackets but there's an up charge.

The Vintage Air kit replaces the stock heater and the Surefit for the F-100 includes heat.

I am not locked into Vintage Air. If anyone has good results with another product I am open to suggestions....

 

The biggest problem that I have with my V/A system is that it does not have an external air setting...permanently in recirculating air mode. I have resolved that issue on my truck but it would be nice if V/A gave you the option when buying a system.

 

External air comes via the cowl vent or the wing windows with my VA kit.

 

I hear ya...and that is the problem, if it's winter you get cold air when you want warm and if it's summer you get hot air when you want cold. I separated the blower section from my V/A under dash unit and built an air baffle that allows either inside or outside air to be input to the A/C/Heater unit. This also gave me more control over the placement of these components under the dash.

I rode with a buddy in his 55 a few weeks ago to a show at Big Bear Lake...it was 111 degrees and when I used his "vent wing A/C unit" it was like going from a conventional oven to a convection oven! Gotta love the V/A!

 

What about tying the fan intake into the side vents on the cowl side like the factory fresh air heater did. In the side of the ducting you could have a flapper valve that when closed drew it air down the ducting from the cowl and when open closed off the ducting opening it to inside air.

 

Since I am Florida, recirculating is not much of an issue. I rarely allow outside air in when I am driving.

No panel trucks out there with A/C?

 

I had the same concerns you have before I bought my VA sure fit for my panel. Talking with VA they said it would have no problem cooling my 56 panel. I haven't had the chance to find out yet but hopefully next summer. I figure I could always hang a curtain behind the seats if need be as an option.

 

OK, now I am more confused. I called V/A this afternoon and they said I needed to upgrade to the Magnum system. They told me the F100 Surefit wouldn't cut it in a panel. Maybe because I am in FL and not Canada.

Anyone out there with a V/A Surefit in a Panel? In a hot climate (FL, TX, etc.)

 

I would look very hard at a rear heat/ac unit out of a older van. Many were basically self contained under the rear seat or in the rear corner. They simply require a set of heater hoses run to the rear and same with ac lines. They run from a separate switch so only run when needed.
They used a vacuum control to switch heat to ac.
Larry

 

That is a great idea. Astro/Safari vans come to mind. There are a ton of them in the wrecking yards.

 

I have the sure-fit unit in my 54 panel.The truck is well insulted.When I lived in upstate NY it worked fine.Now that I live in Northeast Ga,It will just get buy.It is 90 out right now and I just drove it about 30 miles, The truck would get about 77 running the air on full. If I where to do it again I would get a bigger unit.

 

My 2000 Ford Expedition has rear air. It's sort of panel truck, in size.
It will freeze you out! I love it!