AC duct question
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
AC duct question
So, it's getting time for me to get some real, honest to goodness AC in one of the toys, a 79 Bronco.
Anyhow, it didnt come stock with AC but I've purchased an AC box and (supposedly) all of the AC under dash stuff except for the ducting. Yesterday, I checked the blower motor, which works and works well and tomorrow, I'm taking my evaporator in to work to check it for leaks and clean it out, since it's been open for what appears to be years.
Having done a little home work, I think I'm going to make some fiberglass adapters to go from the rectangular vents to circular ducts, which are pretty common.
All I can THINK of that I may need to know is this: Do the stock ducts stay the same size as the all the way through? I want the circular duct to flow about the same as the stock system.
Oh yeah, one more thing:
I'll be pulling the dash next weekend to start cutting some holes to put the vents into. In the stock setup, are the vents just pressed into bare naked holes in the dash? I see some little clippy things on them that look like they'll work fine with just some cleaned up holes.
Anyhow, it didnt come stock with AC but I've purchased an AC box and (supposedly) all of the AC under dash stuff except for the ducting. Yesterday, I checked the blower motor, which works and works well and tomorrow, I'm taking my evaporator in to work to check it for leaks and clean it out, since it's been open for what appears to be years.
Having done a little home work, I think I'm going to make some fiberglass adapters to go from the rectangular vents to circular ducts, which are pretty common.
All I can THINK of that I may need to know is this: Do the stock ducts stay the same size as the all the way through? I want the circular duct to flow about the same as the stock system.
Oh yeah, one more thing:
I'll be pulling the dash next weekend to start cutting some holes to put the vents into. In the stock setup, are the vents just pressed into bare naked holes in the dash? I see some little clippy things on them that look like they'll work fine with just some cleaned up holes.
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
I'll be pulling the dash next weekend to start cutting some holes to put the vents into. In the stock setup, are the vents just pressed into bare naked holes in the dash? I see some little clippy things on them that look like they'll work fine with just some cleaned up holes.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
The dimensions stay constant from one end to the other. The middle vent is short and rectangular. The driver's side is round on the plenum end and stays round until just before the drivers side duct where is goes to a square cross section. It also has a bracket stapled to it to fasten it to the steering column support.
Moderator & parts slinger
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,250
Likes: 5,815
From: S/W Missouri, Polk county
Yes the frame work for the vent part that twist's and moves up and down are held in by four tabs, 2L and 2R.
They can be a PITA to get out with out breaking, use 4 pieces of wire and make 4 hooks, or a metal coat hanger to catch 2 on one side at the same time and then pull that side out then move over to the other side.
I have a 2 79 parts bronco's that have a/c, one has a hard vent behind the instrument cluster and then a short flex piece to the dvrs vent.
PM sent.
See the black square by the xfer case lever, you can see 2 of the tabs.
They can be a PITA to get out with out breaking, use 4 pieces of wire and make 4 hooks, or a metal coat hanger to catch 2 on one side at the same time and then pull that side out then move over to the other side.
I have a 2 79 parts bronco's that have a/c, one has a hard vent behind the instrument cluster and then a short flex piece to the dvrs vent.
PM sent.
See the black square by the xfer case lever, you can see 2 of the tabs.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 3,955
Likes: 50
From: Mesa
Since your dash isnt cut up you may want to look at aftermarket vents like at nostalgic air. They use round duct and come either round or square.
Nostalgic AC - Duct Hose & Vents
Nostalgic AC - Duct Hose & Vents
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
Mike: Thanks for the picture! I didnt know there was a bracket; I hope that I can reproduce the same effect with a few Adel clamps around the tubing that I'll have access to.
V10man: Excellent idea on the vents, however...I guess I want to try to make this harder than it needs to be. I already have the fiberglass stuff to do the conversion and I've only used fiberglass once in the past, so I'd like to see if I can make it work in a reasonable and somewhat neat fashion. Based on what you pointed out, however, I'll make the adapters before I cut the holes in the dash and see how well I do. If I dont do a nice enough job, I'll see about ordering those vents that you mentioned.
78&79F250: Duly noted and private message responded to.
V10man: Excellent idea on the vents, however...I guess I want to try to make this harder than it needs to be. I already have the fiberglass stuff to do the conversion and I've only used fiberglass once in the past, so I'd like to see if I can make it work in a reasonable and somewhat neat fashion. Based on what you pointed out, however, I'll make the adapters before I cut the holes in the dash and see how well I do. If I dont do a nice enough job, I'll see about ordering those vents that you mentioned.
78&79F250: Duly noted and private message responded to.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
I'm not sure of the applications, but I know on the Bronco and maybe '79 F's Ford switched to a plastic duct for the drivers side.
You can see the elbow sitting on the floor.
You can see the elbow sitting on the floor.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
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From: Shreveport, LA
Man, that's a fantastic picture. Thanks for posting that! I think I have everything in your picture EXCEPT for the elbow that you mentioned.
Next time Im in a junk yard, I'll be looking for that to help relieve what I have to do with ducting and fiber glass.
I'm not looking forward to the fiberglass....I'm not very good with it.
Next time Im in a junk yard, I'll be looking for that to help relieve what I have to do with ducting and fiber glass.
I'm not looking forward to the fiberglass....I'm not very good with it.
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Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 836
Likes: 2
From: Shreveport, LA
As an aside, Mike, where did you buy that firewall insulation?? I was planning on tearing mine off and using one of those sound insulating rolls on it, but...man, what you have...that's bling.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
There are two versions, one with and one without factory A/C.
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