Has anyone retro fitted a modern AC into their truck. How hard is it. I have't taken measurements, but it looks like the 70-80 heat and AC control panel will fit into my 68 with little or no modification. Anyone who has done this have any advice?

 

try this out
http://www.classicautoair.com/FPickup6772.asp

 

There was no factory AC, so buy a complete after market system with a Sanden type compressor. You will be miles ahead in the end.

There are several sources, just Google.


John

 

what is a saden compressor?

 

I have a Deluxe Ford Factory A/C Unit in my 71 F250 it is very similar to the Dealer Hang on units but all the controls for it are with the heater controls and the heater core and fan are all in the same box as the AC.<O</O

I took it all apart a year ago to change the blower motor, and from there my unintended restoration has started. I have had the whole thing striped to the frame and it is just going back together now. All that started from changing the blower motor in my A/C Unit.

Chad

 

i don't want to pay upwards of 1000 when i can get an entire working system for 150. the control panels look to be the same, what do i need to change under the dash to make it work?

 

Some where in the cab you are going to need an evaporator in line with your heater core. Most A/C systems run the A/C system on cold all the time, to regulate the temperature they use the heating system to blend hot air with the cold air to obtain the desired temperature in the cab. The air compressor is still going to cycle on and off but the heater is used to blend air in the cab. When the refrigerant leaves the A/C compressor it goes to the condenser, then to the receiver dryer which in most cases these components are under the hood, then the refrigerant goes through the expansion valve and then to the evaporator and then back to the compressor. The expansion valve could be in cab or under the hood. You would have to run the refrigerant lines to and from the cab. Then you will need to figure out where you want the air to discharge out in the cab as the only option you have right now is out on the floor or through the defrost vents.

Hopefully this helps you out with your project. As to weather or not the controls will fit from a newer pickup I can’t tell you.

Jeff

 

Jeff, Were they blending air back then? That is to make a thermostat happy, I believe you can run two separate systems without a lot of issues.


John

 

Yes, they were.

There were two Genuine Ford air conditioning systems available from 1968/72.

One is a factory installed integral unit that bolted (and follows the contour) along the underside of the dash.

This factory A/C unit replaced the heater plenum chamber, with one used for both the heater and the A/C. Just like the units of today do.

Trying to explain (type) all the details of the installation would take me an hour.

If ppl had the parts catalog, there's an illustration that shows the entire assembly in detail (1964/72 Ford Truck Parts Catalog / Section 195 / Page 5)

The other A/C was a Ford dealer installed hang on unit that was a recirculating system only.

The parts catalog is available on a CD from hipoparts.com for less than $23.00.

Why ppl on FTE don't have the appropriate parts catalog for their trucks is beyond me. I belong to several different old car clubs, and most of the ppl in the Galaxie and Packard clubs have parts catalogs.

One reason they have them, is the catalogs show illustrations of everything, so the catalogs can be used as an assembly/dis-assembly manual.

Another reason to have a parts catalog is to answer the question of...:

..was factory A/C available on Ford trucks of this vintage?

The answer is yes.

 

I just finished putting a/c in my '68.
Started with clardy dealer add on under dash unit from '71.
Then found a compressor off a '79 in the junk yard, and bought a condenser, fittings, and dryer new from a local a/c warehouse.
I had the system evacuated and charged today..................so far, works like a charm.
Now i just need to find a fan shroud.

 

I’ll look around eBay. I expected shipping to be maybe $30 being that there’s a big condenser in the order. But I’ll pay the rock auto shipping if it comes down to it.