vintage air install
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 29
From: northeast Ga
vintage air install
I just spent 6 hours installing a vintage air system in my 54 panel,and all I got done was the underdash stuff.I mounted the compressor and mocked up the condensor and hoses a couple of weeks ago.It may be me but the directions are realy bad.They have few picturs ,that show very little.I called the tech line for help and they were great.When I mentioned the poor directions the guy said these are the new directions the old ones where much worst.The parts seem first class,But I dout if I would buy this for my next build.Anyone else have simular problem with vintage air?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 11
From: I live in Leitchfield, KY
Yep, I would NOT buy vintage air again. I had some problems with them, and their tech line was very rude when I asked them anything. The problems I had was they lied to me and said that I could get hot air out of the vents. The truth is when you would turn on the heater part, it would use the SAME vacuum valve to open the defroster and the heater control valve. When you would get too hot, you had to switch to econo. Then it would let warm air out of the vents until it cooled off the heater core. Frustrated, I put a cable controlled heater control valve in line, and now I can adjust the heat and allow it to come out of the vents.
I wasn't real impressed with the plastic the housing was made out of either. I've since found a guy who has as good of stuff for alot less. His evaps, and heater cores are made in the USA!!! He is a good guy, and services his customers after the sale. His name is Mike Brown, in NC and his place is called Rainbow Products.
Good luck!
I wasn't real impressed with the plastic the housing was made out of either. I've since found a guy who has as good of stuff for alot less. His evaps, and heater cores are made in the USA!!! He is a good guy, and services his customers after the sale. His name is Mike Brown, in NC and his place is called Rainbow Products.
Good luck!
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Texas
I am not that close yet with mine however I found this link in Classic Trucks, checked out the site and you can actually download the install manual. Looks easy with their instructions.
www.coolmytruck.com
Classic Auto Air
www.coolmytruck.com
Classic Auto Air
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 528
Likes: 4
From: Charelston, Illinois
I will be purchasing an AC system within the next 2 months for my 1955 Ford F100. I originally thought that I would be purchasing the system from Vintage Air, but have reservations after hearing very discouraging comments from others who have purchased the Vintage Air system. I have also looked at Old Air Products and Classic Air Products. I would interested in comments about these companies and their products.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 792
Likes: 3
From: Sandy Run SC
I got my a/c heater unit from Hot Rod Air. I have welded brackets on the firewall we replaced in our 48 F-1 and the unit seems to fit ok. It will be a while before I get to finish the install but when I finish I will let everyone know how I came out. We also welded brackets under the dash to put the defroster ducts they sent with the unit. Hope everything works out ok. I will be using the compressor on the 4.6 T-bird engine.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
On my third VA unit. I would not consider any other I don't believe. The unit in my 53 F100 is great, cools in 100 degree heat. I am just a hobbiest and have no training or background that would give me a leg up. I found their instructions to be ok for me. I have used Southern Air and Airtique in the past and in my feeble opinion, no comparison. Joe
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
Hey There
Some how this thread caught my eye, my truck is a little older though.
One thing I always think when buying an aftermarkek part, is that it usually a place to start, and a slight modification is normally required.
I installed an Old Air AC unit. The best part is the vents and water valve are controlled electronically, instead of vaccum. Of course I modified just about everything. One good thing about the ABS plastic case: you can cut & modify the crap out of them!
Good luck
Bob
Some how this thread caught my eye, my truck is a little older though.
One thing I always think when buying an aftermarkek part, is that it usually a place to start, and a slight modification is normally required.
I installed an Old Air AC unit. The best part is the vents and water valve are controlled electronically, instead of vaccum. Of course I modified just about everything. One good thing about the ABS plastic case: you can cut & modify the crap out of them!
Good luck
Bob
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 3
From: okla
Gosh Bob, that made me think, wonder if DR's is a made to fit kit? I did not use that on my 53 so I did it like I wanted. Wonder if his is harder to understand because of that.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,532
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From: northeast Ga
made to fit
I bought the made to order kit so it would be easy.Well the fit is good and the parts are good .My complaint are the directions.things like putting the lines on the heater box,it tells what lines go where but not what order to put them on.I looked them over and put them on in the order that looked right and then found I cold not tighten up the fittings so take them back apart and try again,also the cover that goes over the hoses on the fire wall,to bolt that on after the unit is in place took forceps to hold the nuts on the inside of the fire wall as no hand would fit.If the had said anything I would have wielded studs in before paint.also the dyer would not fit on the condenser bracket.After a call to the tech line I bent the bracket and got it to fit.When I buy something made to fit I do not think I should have to bend things to fit,Then the one compressor line to the heater box could not be tightened buy a wrench had to use needle nose vice grips to get to it.Again it seems to be a well built unit just for $1200 give me some directions to follow.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,243
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From: Michigan
I installed a Vintage Air unit in my 56 F100. It didn't seem to fit any worse than any of the other aftermarket items that I have bought. I didn't seem to have a problem with the instructions but then again I was a vehicle package designer for about 32 yrs so I guess I was a little ahead of the game.
One problem with mine is it doesn't seem to drain correctly and the solution isn't buyable in my case (no more room to tilt the unit). In fact they didn't seem to have a answer for that one.
One thing for sure it produces ice cold air and when I have used the heat it seems to be fine.
I did replace the plastic under dash vent holder with my own steel unit and up graded the vents.
Chuck
One problem with mine is it doesn't seem to drain correctly and the solution isn't buyable in my case (no more room to tilt the unit). In fact they didn't seem to have a answer for that one.
One thing for sure it produces ice cold air and when I have used the heat it seems to be fine.
I did replace the plastic under dash vent holder with my own steel unit and up graded the vents.
Chuck
Last edited by merc546; Jan 17, 2008 at 06:29 PM.
FTE Legend
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 283,683
Likes: 8,269
From: northwestern Ontario
I hope there is more input to this thread, I was concidering the Vintage air unit myself. Do any of you have pictures of your install to help Dave and the rest of us who are not quite there yet.
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