Air Conditioning ???
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 338
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Air Conditioning ???
Wondering How many of you have AC? Is it really worth it? Saw 2 kits in Mid Fifty, Vintage Air and Old Air. Wondering which of you have either and which is better. The kit is only about 500 bucks. Just purchased my Heater Core but I was wondering if the AC unit can produce Heat and Defrost too? Thanks for the Help 
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
I have HotRod Air which is a spin-off of Vintage Air. Relatively easy install and works well. I recommend that you go with electric control modules instead of the vacuum units. It's about $100 difference but worth it for ease of installation. John
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 346
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From: Raleigh, NC
No AC for me. Because I ride my motorcycle most of the time, I find that when I am in the car I open the windows and don't use the AC. Now, two years ago it was pretty dang hot here in NC and riding the bike was brutally toasty. AC would have been good then.....
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 13,548
Likes: 77
From: Manhattan, KS
I was 100 here today and before my truck is done it will have air. If I was restoring it then I would not add air, but since it isn't air she comes. The folks that I know with rods that have Vintage Air all have liked it. That has not been the case with some others.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
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From: San Jose, CA
I am doing an Aerostar conversion for my IFS and while digging through the massive number of Aerostar vans in the junk yard I noticed something.
The extended length vans had an optional rear AC unit that is small and tucks into the drivers side wall behind the plastic inside panel. Could something like this be harvested cheap and used to do provide low cost AC?
I was also thinking of mounting the unit under the front bench seat so the dash area doesn't get so cluttered. I found mention of someone doing this in a thread but no details anyone see this done before?
The extended length vans had an optional rear AC unit that is small and tucks into the drivers side wall behind the plastic inside panel. Could something like this be harvested cheap and used to do provide low cost AC?
I was also thinking of mounting the unit under the front bench seat so the dash area doesn't get so cluttered. I found mention of someone doing this in a thread but no details anyone see this done before?
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 53
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From: 30 mile East of Seattle
I have a freind who has a hot rod shop and he swears by vintageair. I will be installing one as soon as I complete some other items on my truck. You can get an extension underneath your dash for the vents so you do not have to cut holes in your dash. I know some guys who put their gauges, stereos and vents for AC in these extensions. That is how I am going to do mine.
I drove my truck the other day it was 92 degrees out I must say I was sweating. I have priced a unit, to get the complete package it will run over $1,000. If you can get one for $500 make sure you are getting everything you need. If it does come with everything then let me know where you are getting it and I will buy one.
Joe
I drove my truck the other day it was 92 degrees out I must say I was sweating. I have priced a unit, to get the complete package it will run over $1,000. If you can get one for $500 make sure you are getting everything you need. If it does come with everything then let me know where you are getting it and I will buy one.
Joe
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
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From: Valley Center, CA
I don't think $500 buys the compressor, bracket, hoses and fittings. I got a deal on my complete kit in 2002 for just under $900. But that was with the polished compressor which is about $50 higher. But I could be wrong, maybe you have a better source than I did. 
John
John
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Joined: Aug 2000
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From: S.C.
I have A/C in my 55 its vintage air which I purchased well over eight years ago. I rarely use it due to the hose that drains the water has broken off and I haven't had a need to fix it yet. However, it doesn't blow all that strong. My buddy has a 56 he got an engine from a versalles along with the A/C unit and it blows mega air.
just my $.02
Jaye
just my $.02
Jaye
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Tuned
Joined: Feb 2004
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Mid Fifty 2004 catalog page 70.....Old Air Kit Complete Standard Kit 475.00 includes Under Hood kit, Compressor, Hose Kit, Condenser & Dryer assembly and Eng Comp Mount..Then there is the Xtenda Dash for 129.00.....???????????....Never mind you have to choose the inside kit too for another 450.00...........Sorry Guys........
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally Posted by superman64011
Wondering How many of you have AC? Is it really worth it? Saw 2 kits in Mid Fifty, Vintage Air and Old Air. Wondering which of you have either and which is better. The kit is only about 500 bucks. Just purchased my Heater Core but I was wondering if the AC unit can produce Heat and Defrost too? Thanks for the Help
Depends on where you live as to whether it's worth it or not. When I lived in Florida (which I did for 50 years), I found I needed it. Now that I live in New Hampshire I don't need it...
Vern
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
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From: 15 miles west of Venus
I had the Old Air "Hurricane heat and air" unit. On its best medium temperature day, I would drive along and debate whether to just turn it off and roll down the window. Jerked it out and installed a Air-tique "King Cool." It rocks on our 100* days.
www.air-tique.com
I bought some kick panels at Pigeon Forge that are set up to mount the rectangle vents. Only downside with the King Cool is you lose the glovebox. This holds true for almost all the units though.
www.air-tique.com
I bought some kick panels at Pigeon Forge that are set up to mount the rectangle vents. Only downside with the King Cool is you lose the glovebox. This holds true for almost all the units though.
Last edited by Scot; Jul 24, 2004 at 08:28 PM.