Air Conditioning
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
Air Conditioning
For anyone who is in the air conditioning phase I have just received a Gen-Two set up kit from Vintage Air, it is a dummy case that you can "rent" to set up your dash etc without buying a whole system, when you are ready for real A/C you can return the undamaged case for credit toward your system. good deal
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 1
From: Nor Cal
Oh man, I do it every time!
I always choose the absolute most difficult way to accomplish any given task I can think of. That's why my 55 may never be finished. 
I decided some time ago in keeping with this theme, "build a a vintage truck that looks like a mild custom done 45 Yrs ago". So I bought an original aftermarket A/C bracket for a more commonly used compressor, and an original 55 Select Aire dash switch Assy. and 55 behind the dash evaporator box to retrofit with more modern A/C internals. Sounded cool to start.
Well compared to the option you've come up with the $500.00 in vintage parts and pully's just seems crazy. And now as typical i'm in so deep I can hardly ditch it.
I'll tell ya, I just can't afford to take myself too seriously, David
I decided some time ago in keeping with this theme, "build a a vintage truck that looks like a mild custom done 45 Yrs ago". So I bought an original aftermarket A/C bracket for a more commonly used compressor, and an original 55 Select Aire dash switch Assy. and 55 behind the dash evaporator box to retrofit with more modern A/C internals. Sounded cool to start.
Well compared to the option you've come up with the $500.00 in vintage parts and pully's just seems crazy. And now as typical i'm in so deep I can hardly ditch it.
I'll tell ya, I just can't afford to take myself too seriously, David
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 2
From: Seattle WA.
Originally Posted by Deuced
I always choose the absolute most difficult way to accomplish any given task I can think of. That's why my 55 may never be finished.
I decided some time ago in keeping with this theme, "build a a vintage truck that looks like a mild custom done 45 Yrs ago". So I bought an original aftermarket A/C bracket for a more commonly used compressor, and an original 55 Select Aire dash switch Assy. and 55 behind the dash evaporator box to retrofit with more modern A/C internals. Sounded cool to start.
Well compared to the option you've come up with the $500.00 in vintage parts and pully's just seems crazy. And now as typical i'm in so deep I can hardly ditch it.
I'll tell ya, I just can't afford to take myself too seriously, David
I decided some time ago in keeping with this theme, "build a a vintage truck that looks like a mild custom done 45 Yrs ago". So I bought an original aftermarket A/C bracket for a more commonly used compressor, and an original 55 Select Aire dash switch Assy. and 55 behind the dash evaporator box to retrofit with more modern A/C internals. Sounded cool to start.
Well compared to the option you've come up with the $500.00 in vintage parts and pully's just seems crazy. And now as typical i'm in so deep I can hardly ditch it.
I'll tell ya, I just can't afford to take myself too seriously, David
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,497
Likes: 5
From: Tucson AZ
I don't have price sheets on this kit yet but I think it's going to be around $50 and you get a credit when you return it (undamaged) and buy a system. I already installed it in my dash and know exactly where everything has to go. It sure beats guessing at it and having to move stuff later.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,150
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From: Waynesboro, Virginia
I have one of their kits now; their instructions, at least for us non-a/c people, are the worst I have ever seen. Hopefully, some day they'll realize that everyone doesn't work for Vintage Air, and write instructions for them.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
I just finished a Gen. II installation in my 53. If you have any specific questions I will try to help. Actually, after installing a Southern Air unit, and an Airtique unit previously, I felt Vintage Air was fairly good. Feel free to email me with questions if you like. Joe
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Tucson AZ
paul, I have a vintage air dealership and will forward your comments, let me know what kit you have and anything specific that you don't like or understand
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 37
From: Minnesota
As a Manufacturing Engineer I write work instructions that have to pass an audit by the FDA or an ISO inspection agency. I also walk people through trouble shooting over the phone. After 3 years I have gotten pretty good at it. The mistake most people make is assuming you know anything. My motto is "when you think you have made something idiot proof along comes an improved idiot" 
I always have a person who has no clue sit down and try to put the device together take notes and update the work instructions. Then do it again with another clueless person until I am satisfied. It usually takes 10 -15 revisions especiaaly when you have 60 or 70 pieces working up to 200 - 300. I am no longer amazed at what I see I always ask myself "Why didn't i think of that?" Maybe one day I could work out a deal with a local Vintage Air dealer. In there shop I could write a set of work instructions and get a discount. I could be the idiot and help update the intructions.
I always have a person who has no clue sit down and try to put the device together take notes and update the work instructions. Then do it again with another clueless person until I am satisfied. It usually takes 10 -15 revisions especiaaly when you have 60 or 70 pieces working up to 200 - 300. I am no longer amazed at what I see I always ask myself "Why didn't i think of that?" Maybe one day I could work out a deal with a local Vintage Air dealer. In there shop I could write a set of work instructions and get a discount. I could be the idiot and help update the intructions.
Last edited by Christopher2; Mar 18, 2005 at 07:01 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 5
From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
Funny thing about how instructions are made by one company to another company standards.. I spent 15 years in the Army running a Motor pool for 7 of them.. One thing the army has done is its standards for any instructions is that there to be written fr someone that might not have more than a 6th grade ed. And still there instructions out there in the Army that people can't understand.. IE: on a 100Kw gen. there a set of instructions thats say ( a diagram also ) To never use a metal wrench on the L0-L1-L2-L3 studs no matter what.. And I seen 2 diffrent people just do that and kill themselfs ( No joke ) So dont feel sorry if you cant read them.. Becouse most likly no one can easyly read them..
But Just remember the smartest person is the one who know when to ask for help and your in the best place to get it
But Just remember the smartest person is the one who know when to ask for help and your in the best place to get it
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,474
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From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
Originally Posted by Christopher2
I take it they were using a metal wrench on an inductor?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 37
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Madathlon
The L studs are the main tie in for the gen to the power dis network.. High Amp and high Voltage.. not a good mix.. There even a fiber glass wrench on the access door so one dont have to get a metal wrench... Some people just dont like to listen or read directions
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,474
Likes: 5
From: Shasta Lake, Ca.
it is so sad.. but its even worse when a company assumes that everyone read there direction can comperhend them.. Heck I run a shop here in town and just recieved a new dyno and the instructions are so poorly written even the tech support guys dont fully understand them.. And I have a Master in enginering.. Is really sad.. this book has 1500 pages and no one can understand them....
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 0
From: Waynesboro, Virginia
Thanks for the opportunity to get Vintage Air info help. When I get back on installing the under the dash part, I might need some!
To give you an idea of a call I made to Vintage Air: When test mounting the under dash unit, (53/55 F100) there is one mount point at the lower front passenger side end of the unit, to the firewall. Why didn't they mention or diagram that the mount point was the screw with the rubber grommit on it? Would it kill them to do a simple drawing or something? They have a drawing, but not to the actual mount point. They did a good drawing for the other 2 mounting points, but why not this one? In fact, because they did diagram the other 2 points, that made me doubt on #3 point.
I thought it was the mount point, it made sense it was, but I was just scared enough that I didn't want to loosen the bolt, for fear something inside the unit was attached to that bolt and would fall in to God knows where; after all, it wasn't diagrammed as the other two were.
I don't have the unit mounted yet; next step is to decipher the 4 hose connections to the main unit and hope they line up with the firewall hole. Will get to that next week I hope.
To give you an idea of a call I made to Vintage Air: When test mounting the under dash unit, (53/55 F100) there is one mount point at the lower front passenger side end of the unit, to the firewall. Why didn't they mention or diagram that the mount point was the screw with the rubber grommit on it? Would it kill them to do a simple drawing or something? They have a drawing, but not to the actual mount point. They did a good drawing for the other 2 mounting points, but why not this one? In fact, because they did diagram the other 2 points, that made me doubt on #3 point.
I thought it was the mount point, it made sense it was, but I was just scared enough that I didn't want to loosen the bolt, for fear something inside the unit was attached to that bolt and would fall in to God knows where; after all, it wasn't diagrammed as the other two were.
I don't have the unit mounted yet; next step is to decipher the 4 hose connections to the main unit and hope they line up with the firewall hole. Will get to that next week I hope.