Hey All, Just wanting some opinions on a complete heat and air system for my 1951 AD Truck. Anyone have a preference? Help me out if you can. Thanks, Gadget
I know what you mean ... I'm just about finished with my 51 StyleLine that I priced and guy bought. I will be starting on my 51 AD, in a couple of weeks. Just been buying parts and wanted air on it, down here it gets too hot to be without it. I will be driving this truck as my DD. My wifey will drive it from time to time, so It will need the air. You all know, that if the wifey is not happy, no ones Happy!
I did my research on many systems. I choose Vintage Air to become a dealer for. I have been selling and installing their units for 6 years. They do alot of research and development before they will sell anything. Their Gen IV systems are far ahead of any other system available. Even the OEM called on VA for the Ford GT.
A lot of cars have them, mounted on the doors. Easy to use, you simply wind the lever arm around one way or the other for more cooling or the other way for warmer...... (You know someone had to say that one) Doc.
I was talked into an Old Car Air I believe the name is and it was in my 5 bchevy and it has worked real good. Got the polished compressor and after the warranty expired I developed a front seal leak. wanted to keep the polished compressor, dealer sent it back, they rebuilt the compressor and guess what, no charge for the repairs. That sold me on them. I put another system in a 57 chevy truck from the same company. I went with the cable setup on the 56 and electric control valves on the 57. so far no problems on the 57. Just my 2 cents worth.Also cheaper than a vintage air system I believe. Only thing I didn't like was the drawings looed like they had been copied so many times they looked like a snow blizzard when trying to identify the holes in firewall you attach unit to. But we figured it out. OK YRUHOT.doug
I had Vintage Air on a 65 GMC with cammed 283. The only complaint I had was the vents were va***e controled and would go to the defrosters when you gave it gas not good when the cab is 140deg from setting in a store parking lot. I also paid extra for custom fit I was told was GMC specitic and it was Chevy when I got it (different dash).
A simple vacuum resivour and an inlet vacuum check valve will fix that. Every car with vacuum actuators in the dash has them...
not everyone likes the idea of putting air in these old rods, but Like I said, it gets hot in Tennessee and as a DD I want it. Do any of you know how has the best price on a complete system? Thanks, Gadget
I have installed several vintage air and I think they are good systems, but they are a little too street rod for me. I was installing one on an ot 71 olds and did not want to use the fancy billet controls, or any of the controls they offer for that matter. I wanted to adapt the kit they sell to convert factory camaro controls to the olds unit since they are basically the same. They wouldn't sell me the unit for the olds. They were determined it wouldnt work and sent me the billet **** anyways. Since I have switched to Cl***ic Auto Air and will never look back. You can use their unit with any control because it is all cable driven. No Vaccuum problems. They also use a mechanical heat control valve instead of the electric solenoid that vintage uses. I have had several customers complain about the electric solenoids. I might just be old fashioned, but I prefer mechanics to electronics any day! Just my opinion though. Not to mention the Cl***ic is also cheaper on the wallet. Complete kit for 1300-1400.
WOW............. 25 posts and NOBODY mentioned Southern Air.......... I would go with the afore mentioned door mounted units before i used them............Just Sayin!
yep I'm with you on that billet ****! I don't mind the under the dash mount but I did see where one comany hid it behind the speaker grille ... didn't know if anyone had used that before.
I used a Hurricane, it was the only unit that I thought I could shoe horn in. I especially like the fact it is a combo heater, air conditioner and defroster. So far, the only real problem has been a broken fan wheel. I "fixed" it with wire ties and some shoe glue. Bill
Anyone use a junkyard Nissan pickup a/c unit? They were dealer installed I understand and they are compact and cheap too. Just wondering.
installe southern air unit under the dash style in my shop truck a few years ago- wanted that old school look for my 1948 chevy 5 window truck- bought their under dash unit and measured the area for the condenser and got the largest one i could fit then added a pusher fan from the fan man-live in central florida and it really stays cool on the hottest days and slowest traffic. do your self a favor and install dynamat or similar material-do the complete cab-headliner/firewall/floor-made a world of difference in noise and heat boo's junkyard
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