Hi all, looking for some real world experience. Was originally looking at the Vintage Air sure fit for my panel truck. Now I think I prefer the look of an underdash unit for heat and ac. Will this interfere with my cowl vent arm? Any suggestions on best vendor?
Thanks

 

I just put a Vintage Air mini gen 11 in dash system heat and AC in my slightly modified 1949 F-4. This series cab is considerably smaller than the '56 cab. I was concern about keeping the cowl vent, the floor emergency brake handle, and the glove box. I lost most of the glove box but was able to fit the unit to the right of the cowl vent handle and above the E brake handle. With the gen 11, coolant and refrigerant line placement and the fact I wanted to use a couple existing firewall holes, I have the lines almost touching the cab floor below the evaporator. I ran one of the three AC ducts out the driver defroster vent. I ran another duct out of the existing radio block plate (modified to fit the vent} and the third was installed under dash, centered as in the standard VA rotary **** panel. I did have to make all the evaporator mount brackets.
I used a 14" x 22" cross flow condenser, mounted below the radiator cross bar. The drier is just inside the radiator support on the passenger side.
My cab is semi insulated and the unit seems to cool well in the high 90s as is typical central FL summer temps.
I modified an off the shelf driver side compressor mount to fit the Sanden brand compressor to a SBC engine. I have no PS and ran the compressor belt driven directly from the crank front pulley.
I know, it is not the exact information you're looking for but it does reflect my experience. Vintage Air has been very good to work with, shipping was quick. Overall, I enjoyed the installation.
Side note: The compressor clutch was damaged in shipment and a replacement compressor arrived a few days later, no hassles.
I would think the exact fit unit for a 1956 would be a piece of cake install. Talk with VA about the installation being in a panel truck. I would think they can help with sizing. Be aware that not all vendors supply Sanden compressors but supply knock off brands. Good or bad, I don't know.
Good luck with what you decide.

 

I like the look of the cowl vent so I kept mine but I did not make it operable. I have a V/A A/C sure fit system but I modified it to be a fresh air unit as well as recirculating. Many times the outside temp is low enough that A/C is not necessary so I just run the V/A unit on vent and let the outside air come in through the A/C system.

 

I put a ComPac Gen 2 model 68000-VUZ-A in my 1954 F100. CNFP1424KT Kit A/C Universal Condenser Parallel Flow 14 x 24 with Receiver Drier. Coldhose hoses except I kept the GM inlet/outlet hose on the compressor. I put 2.5 lbs of refrigerant in it.

I'd like to know how much refrigerant others have used. I think I may be a little overcharged.

 

I don't have an answer for but thank you for the pictures

 

I had contacted Vintage Air when I was trying to figure out the correct size unit for my Crew Cab project. They recommended I try and fit the Gen II super system.






I took the measurements from their site, taped up a cardboard box and stuffed it under the dash as a test fit.




After feeling comfortable with my test fit I purchased the kit. I have plenty of room for the kit while still retaining the cowl vent. In fact I plan on running a power cowl vent.


My system is not installed at the moment, but all the brackets were made and the unit was test fit. The glove box will be pretty much useless, but I plan on using it for the Registration and insurance papers.


on a side note.... Vintage air dealers do offer a dummy unit for test fitting if you want to "rent" one. You have to eat the freight in both directions, but they send you a dummy unit for mockup.

 

Are any of you running these units on the original flat head six engines?

 

The instructions I got from Vintage Air suggested the charge at 1.8 lbs of 134.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.

 

Really, because my systm is similar to my 1992 Chevy C1500 work truck and the oem system charge for that is 2.5 lbs of R12. That would equal 2.8 lbs of R134a. But it all depends on size of condenser and length of hose, especially the hose between the compressor and condenser and the TXV because that is where the refrigerant is liquid form.

 

The standard practice is R134a takes 80-85% compared to the R12 in the same system. If your putting more 134a than 12 you are putting too much.