54 needs AC
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas, Nevada
54 needs AC
Help! Its hotter than heck here in vegas. I need some air conditioning. Has anyone installed AC in their 53-55 truck that I can talk to or have a thread to look at on installing like a vintage air unit and what kind a price am I looking at? I have a 54 with a stock 302 and AOD tranny. pops.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 532
Likes: 1
From: Athens, GA, USA
Well, I have a 51 F1 also with a 302 and automatic. I still retained my Magic-Air fresh air heater and installed underdash a/c. I got the kit complete from MustangsUnlimited.com. It came with everything and I mean everything you would need. Mounting brackets, belts, pulleys, compressor, evaporator, condensor, drier, hoses, pressure switch, wiring, etc.. It was around $900 and seems to do the job here in the humid hot south. My wife calls it "The Super Chilly"
Good Luck with it!
Good Luck with it!
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
My 56 came with an Old Air (brand, not age) replacement heater/ac unit. They are sold by Mid Fifty. The bolt in place of the stock heater with the lines exiting thru the original fan motor hole in the firewall. A very easy install and a fairly compact unit.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
I have a Vintage Air unit in my 53. It could not perform better. Far better than previous [ Southern Air in my 46, AirTique in my 40 sedan] units I have used. I will not buy anything else. Just bought one for my 40 coupe. My F100 is well insulated and sealed and that makes a big difference I know. Now that I have experienced one that works very well, I'm stickin' with it. I will say that I do believe an under dash unit makes a lot of sense in our trucks and might just put more cold air on you to offset some lack of insulation. Joe
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,150
Likes: 0
From: Waynesboro, Virginia
I have the Vintage Air unit in my panel; it is a bear to install and lousy instructions. If I had to do it over again I'd do an underdash unit.
Paul
Paul
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
The Old Air Hurricane won't cool a truck in LV. I had one and it was pretty much worthless in the heat we have in N Texas.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,489
Likes: 5
From: Valley Center, CA
Go Vintage gen II or III. Do not go with Hot Rod Air. The install is not that hard. The worst part for me was mounting the compressor. Get the big under-dash unit with four outlets and you can drive in Death Valley in August. 
Good luck, Jag
Good luck, Jag
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
72 Underdash AC unit in my 60 F100
Hey Brother Las Vegan,
I had the same issue last summer so I went to the Pic A Part on lamb blvd in North Las Vegas and found a Fridgaire out of a 72 F100. It worked out good for me because it was a big block FE 390 truck so I was able to get the evaporator, compressor, condensor and dryer off the same truck. Since I am building a driver Rat Rod price was an issue additionally as a liscenced automotive AC tech I wanted an R-12 system. So If looks aren't a huge concern and you want a cold *** AC system try our Pic A Part you might be suprised.
I had the same issue last summer so I went to the Pic A Part on lamb blvd in North Las Vegas and found a Fridgaire out of a 72 F100. It worked out good for me because it was a big block FE 390 truck so I was able to get the evaporator, compressor, condensor and dryer off the same truck. Since I am building a driver Rat Rod price was an issue additionally as a liscenced automotive AC tech I wanted an R-12 system. So If looks aren't a huge concern and you want a cold *** AC system try our Pic A Part you might be suprised.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,327
Likes: 2
From: Las Vegas, NV
AC tech for hire on side
Like I was saying I am a liscensed AC tech if any members need help with obtaining and charging your system with R-12 feel free to hollar at me. I am pretty much doing all the vintage hot rod stuff for a lot of guys here in vegas, its kinda my side work because I am retired on Social Security Disability and cant report any sort of income. So let me know if you folks would like any help.
Thanks Dan
Thanks Dan
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