Air Conditioning
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
As I stated earlier the only problem is the fan speed. The darn thing will mess up my wife’s hair on low. I am going to have to find a way of getting the fan speed down. I live in the desert and travel to Vegas. It doesn’t get a hotter than these places and the unit keeps the cab cool. I was warned by Nostalgic Air not to mount the unit at to high of an angle up. This is because the water can build up in the bottom and spray out through the vents. I haven’t had any problem with it, so possibly the angle isn’t too high. Also I haven’t been is areas of high humidity. I will advise everybody if it becomes a problem.
I bypassed the T-Stat on the unit when I installed it to test it out. It was a 90+ day and I monitored the vent temps. I got nervous and shut the thing down when the vent temps dropped below 30 degrees. It really does cool.
As to Blackfoot Big Block’s question, I am not sure about the floor shift tranny. I think you could possibly bend the shift lever to clear the unit, but you might possibly have trouble clearing the seat if it was moved forward. Especially if it is a bench seat. It would not be a problem for somebody my size, because I drive with the seat all the way back anyway.
I bypassed the T-Stat on the unit when I installed it to test it out. It was a 90+ day and I monitored the vent temps. I got nervous and shut the thing down when the vent temps dropped below 30 degrees. It really does cool.
As to Blackfoot Big Block’s question, I am not sure about the floor shift tranny. I think you could possibly bend the shift lever to clear the unit, but you might possibly have trouble clearing the seat if it was moved forward. Especially if it is a bench seat. It would not be a problem for somebody my size, because I drive with the seat all the way back anyway.
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
Did you try to plumb new compressor into the old behind dash unit? The behind dash unit is what I was going to use on a rebuild I am doing. But I like the compressor you used, I was going to try to go that route also. I have an old under dash unit out of some old car I have been keeping around, but I wanted to keep it sort of factory looking, as my son is now going to get the truck when finished. I guess my question is, why didn't you use the behind dash unit?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
It depends on whether you have factory air or dealer air. There are also two types of dealer air. The deluxe or the economy model. I had the economy model and it sucked. I couldn’t do anything to get it to blow enough cold air to cool the truck down. Plus the fact that the air coming out of the drivers’ side vents wouldn’t even hit the driver. I have no experience with the deluxe unit and can’t make any statement about it except that I have heard it works pretty well. Now if you have the factory air, you are in luck, as they will blow icicles. If you put a new type compressor on the factory air it will freeze you out of the cab. Another thing that will really help is to throw away that worthless old factory condenser, they do make great tranny coolers, and go to ACKITs and buy the biggest parallel flow condenser that will fit on the truck. They are a good 30 to 40 percent more efficient than the old tube and fin unit. This will bring the cooling capacity of the R134a up to the R12 level.
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
Thanks for the info. Not sure if the one I am going to use is the economy model or not. The dash vents look similar to yours in the truck I am going to use. Haven't pulled it all out yet. Working on The frame and axles now. Thanks Again for the info. Do you know how to tell the difference between the economy and deluxe add on air?
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
Thanks for the info. Not sure if the one I am going to use is the economy model or not. The dash vents look similar to yours in the truck I am going to use. Haven't pulled it all out yet. Working on The frame and axles now. Thanks Again for the info. Do you know how to tell the difference between the economy and deluxe add on air?
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
Ii looked at my dash while I was outside. The controls are on the side of the center vent. And I saw yours were on the bottom of the center vent. I will search the a/c forum. Thanks and have a good day.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,398
Likes: 17
From: Hesperia, CA
You probably have the deluxe model.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 14,333
Likes: 247
From: Stanley, VA
On the deluxe dealer installed air the unit blocks the stock glove compartment so there is an add on glove box that is installed.
If you have the regular glove box either you have the dealer installed economy a/c (it has the Ford logo on the controls) or one of the many aftermarket units that were available.
If you have the regular glove box either you have the dealer installed economy a/c (it has the Ford logo on the controls) or one of the many aftermarket units that were available.
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
On the deluxe dealer installed air the unit blocks the stock glove compartment so there is an add on glove box that is installed.
If you have the regular glove box either you have the dealer installed economy a/c (it has the Ford logo on the controls) or one of the many aftermarket units that were available.
If you have the regular glove box either you have the dealer installed economy a/c (it has the Ford logo on the controls) or one of the many aftermarket units that were available.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
But...some of these panels do not have the Ford emblem.
The pictured hang on unit is not part of Economy A/C system, it's a gypo unit added later.
The dealer installed Economy A/C is separate from the heater.
Both the Deluxe dealer installed A/C & the Ford factory installed Integral A/C have the A/C integral with the heater.
The Deluxe dealer installed A/C's HUGE bezel covers up the entire right side of the dash, including the glove box.
When this system is installed, there is a separate "hang-on" glove box bolted to the bottom of the dash.
When factory installed Integral A/C is present, the original glove box is in place, and the A/C/Heater control panel is one unit.
NOTE: This info ONLY pertains to 1973/79 F100/350's and 1978/79 Bronco's. The A/C's used in 1968/72 F100/350's are NOT the same.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 787
From: Simi Valley, CA
Number Smarty: Certified Public Accountant.
FTE Emeritus
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,288
Likes: 200
From: springfield Missouri area
Must have been before my time. I didn't start dealing with partsmen till mid 70's. Or maybe just a different part of the country thing. You are awesome though. Thanks!