Aftermarket Underdash AC

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Mar 30, 2016 | 01:10 PM

Lights_Guy3

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Feb 2016

Posts: 15

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From: Oakland

Aftermarket Underdash AC

Hey all,

I am interested in options for getting AC in my truck which came from the factory without AC.

I see things like this:

Nostalgic AC - Ford Truck Underdash A/C System

Is this a good way to go?

Alternatively, I see products like this:

March Performance P6000, March In-Dash & Under-Dash A/C and Heater Kits | March Performance

This is complete minus the brackets, pulleys and compressor. This may be a better option, as I can source the specific parts for my truck instead of relying on a more generic setup and hoping that the engine hardware fits.

What say you guys?

Are there other options that I have not considered?

Truck is an 82, 351w, regular cab.

Mar 30, 2016 | 02:30 PM

bcamill

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2014

Posts: 354

Likes: 0

From: AZ

I am not familiar with all of those items, but cost is my determinator. I have installed factory A/C one that did not come with it. I was lucky as a friend worked at the junk yard and got everything for me for 150.00. That is, the dash, air box, accumulator, compressor, lines, brackets, and condenser. I actually bout a new accumulator, compressor and orifice as the old stuff does not like 134A and usually do not last long. I do not leave this to the faint hearted or those that do not know there way around the vehicle, but I liked the challenge and it is still running strong after two years.

Mar 30, 2016 | 03:58 PM

iwals

Senior User

Joined: Jun 2010

Posts: 127

Likes: 1

My '86 F150 has dealer-added A/C--apparently this was common then. If you could find a donor in a junkyard with that setup, it might not be too hard to transfer into your truck.

Mar 30, 2016 | 04:56 PM

FuzzFace2

FTE Legend

Joined: Nov 2015

Posts: 30,912

Likes: 4,123

From: Angier, NC

As I was told and I can say is true the fire walls are different between factory AC trucks and non-factory AC trucks.

The AC fire wall is over the non-AC one and there is more than just cutting that other big hole. I would not tell anyone to go down this path.

I have heard good things of Vintage Air - Inventors of Performance Air Conditioning - www.vintageair.com but have not used them.
BTW I am missing the compressor brackets (have the compressor) for a 300 and pulleys but have everything else.

Keep us posted on what you come up with.
Dave ----

Mar 30, 2016 | 08:57 PM

rlester

Mountain Pass

Joined: Nov 2003

Posts: 137

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I did convert an 80F350 to A/C, but I had a donor truck that had DEALER installed A/C. This was actually a real simple conversion that took me two or three afternoons and was probably the coldest A/C I have ever experienced.

It was a lot of work but it was basically a bolt-in job. I think I had to cut the holes on the passenger side dash, but the rest was just swapping parts. You don't remove much of the original heater system, the dealer stuff is an add-on.

Mar 31, 2016 | 09:37 AM

ozark1

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 773

Likes: 10

I put an underdash unit in my old '66 years ago..About a weekend job...and you could hang meat in the cab !!..Worked fine...and WAAAAAY easier that trying to add factory unit..

Mar 31, 2016 | 01:09 PM

reamer

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jan 2001

Posts: 3,789

Likes: 26

From: Connecticut

Find an AC equipped Cab, that's what I did

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Apr 2, 2016 | 02:43 PM

fljab

Posting Guru

Joined: Jun 2012

Posts: 1,061

Likes: 9

From: Mims, FL

I am about to embark on the same thing. I personally think adding an underdash AC is much easier than trying to adapt/retrofit a factory setup from a donor truck. No need to change cabs/firewalls/change out heater box/etc.

You don't say what your transmission is, but if it's a floor mounted manual, then it's a bigger challenge. I plan to go to a vendor and find the evap unit that fits best. I have the Srod 4 sp which is back farther toward the seat vs a NP435. Even if it's an auto on the column, you might want to pay attention to what fits under there best.

The only donor parts needed would be the compressor brackets, pulleys including for the fan and 3 groove harmonic balancer.

Good luck; I'll post up what I find.

Oh, I'm adding it to a '81 F100, 300 six, Srod 4 sp, 2 wheel drive.

Last edited by fljab; Apr 2, 2016 at 02:43 PM. Reason: more info