Hey guys, I was riding around with in my moms car today and she didn't have the A/C on and it was a decently hot day. I like to be cool as any other guy and was thinking....My 51 doesn't have A/C and I was actually not planning on putting A/C on the truck due to cost/budget reasons. "BUT" while riding around in that car today.... "it sucked" not having the A/C on lol. I'm not a wuss or anything but A/C sure does make life a little better you know. I was looking at a A/C kit specifically for 48-52 and it was over $1300 not installed...ouch! I was looking on ebay trying to find a cheaper way to go. I saw some mustang A/C under dash kits and a few universal UD kits between $500-850 bucks. I did find a good looking under dash unit (evaporator and blower I think?) for like 80 or 90 bucks but of course it needed the rest of the components.

What have you guys ran "non high priced" A/C system wise? I have seen some people on here with under dash A/C units that look different than the expensive Vintage air etc. kits and was wandering what they used.

Is there an easier (on the wallet) way to go with the ac systems? Like using certain high/low pressure hoses, drier, evaporator etc from an OE vehicle

 

There really isn't any reason why you couldn't assemble your own setup from salvaged parts, especially if you got them from a single working donor. two stumbling blocks would be finding the underdash unit that could be fitted, and making sure the system you got works with the currently used refrigerant. An aftermarket universal unit would be the easiest to install.

 

What AX said. The nice thing about these old trucks is we can get anything to work on them, no point in buying something new unless you have the cash but don't care to go treasure hunting. (And to me treasure hunting is half the fun! So many answer to questions I never knew I had, lol)

 

Hey Reed,
I think the Vintage Air price for our '48-'52 trucks is higher
than that $1,300 number. I used their "mini" option - stupidly expensive.
It's also overkill with our cab size - the lowest setting will freeze important
body parts. There has to be a good salvage A/C solution - It's amazing all the effort put into the different salvage front end solutions. The aftermarket A/C stuff is the same price as decent IFS.

Good luck over there Reed - A/C isn't optional in Texas.

Ben in Austin

 

Consider that most AC components require 12 Volts. And your 51 is?

 

His 51 will most definitely be 12 volt. 302/AOD, etc., etc.

Hey Frank, give me a yell sometime. I know a good place to look kind of between you and me.

 

i`ve got a compact unit from a suzuki sidekick, with a bit of mods will fit no problem, i`m just not in the stage to install it yet

 

Doc, I'll definitely hollar at ya. Thanks for the input guys. I figured the after market setups would be easier to install myself. I have been looking at pictures of A/C system/setups on google pics and it seems like we could figure out something thats a little easier on the wallet. I found this on ebay and thought it would be a good setup for the money BUT does it have everything I/we would need (minus the compressor bracket) for a complete setup? All it says that doesn't come with the kit is the compressor bracket....

1949-1954 CHEVY UNDERDASH AIR & HEATING CONDITIONING KIT | eBay

Edit: A big reason I am trying to figure this out is it would make my truck that much more drivable you know. I want to drive my truck a lot when its done. It would just suck to have to say "Its too hot to drive it today" when its 85-95 degrees outside plus humidity.

 

I used an old 60's Ford dealer add-on underdash unit in my 49 COE; $50 swap meet item. It does have an expansion valve that is technically calbrated for R-12, but it still works for R-134a which I use. I put a new Sanden compressor along with a $5 swap meet condenser. I had a local hose shop make up the needed hoses with the fittings to match my parts. The hoses were the most expensive part at around $280 for all three with a trinary safety switch. In total I have about $500 in the A/C. It works great and makes those long drives across the desert to Bonneville each summer much more enjoyable.

 

Reed, there are a few pcs not included like remote vents, duct hoses, Y connectors and compressor mount/belt drive system, maybe some controls and would require a separate heater. Still would be easier to adapt than an OEM setup with fitted housing and ductwork.

 

Try Southern Air,they have compact under dash units

 

Old Air made my unit.
Not the best choice for a business name. I get blank stares when answering people who ask who made mine.

 

Maybe they used a dislexic printers when starting business and they left the C off stationary, too costly to reprint

 

Anybody install a compressor on a 239 flatty?

 

I used the unit from Southern Rods. The unit fit under my dash,51 F1 with some problems. The cowl vent assembly has to be removed. I welded mine shut. The intructions are great. It has a windshield defroster and heat. The condenser has to be put in front of the radiator, some fabrication needed there. Also, the condenser blocks the radiator, so a fan shroud is needed. I used a complete unit with electric fan so I get more air flow sitting in traffic. Here is the problem, you have to seal up the cab well enough so there's not alot of hot in comming in or it's a waste of time and money. These trucks were not made to be sealed up like a late model car is. Hope that helps