Priced out a kit from Vintage Air and was close to $1700 with shipping and new belts etc About same price as my engine and transmission. Anyone got other options they have been happy with ? OR not much choice here ? Was looking at this company as they are local - just dont know what problems I may be asking for. http://coldmasterinc.com/product/ac...-evaporator-heater-air-conditioner-450-combo/
Vintage Air isn't cheap but seems to work the best of any-have installed 12-15 of their units. Pirce you mentioned seems about right with brackets etc etc. Have helped with other brands as well-didn't function as well.
The underdash units work very well, many of our customers Customs and Hot Rods have them and they will freeze you out here in Florida. I just bought a heat/air unit like this one https://www.ebay.com/itm/Universal-...-Cool-Black-/123231750504?hash=item1cb12f4968 for my Coupe, it's not done so I cannot report on it yet, but I'm not concerned. We use Alan Grove Components engine brackets and pulleys.
Going into a 57 Chevy Panel. Florida too. So more area to cool than a typical cabin truck --- but I can probably get by with just being cool air on face. Will be well insulated ( 3 layers) on floor and doors.
Wiki Watchee ? So do you guys have a shop and do AC installs - I got lost in translation there if you use the same ebay unit for all installs ..... or you typically use the vintage air underdash units - or other ?. Would you think it can handle a Panel with more sqft ? Would you recommend going the VA route or similar to the route you went. Im not looking for a form fit .... just something that works well for a DD. thanks !
Southern Rods has alot of kits and are typically several hundred less. I don't think they're control panel is as fancy as the VA. Those two along with Cl***ic Auto Air are the three popular companies for the Tri-Five guys.
That hang down under the dash unit will throw out more cold air than you can handle if you don't mind it hanging under the dash. They are pretty well 60's traditional.
Cl***ic works very well. I've install them and VA. Looking at the box very little differences. Controls are the differences. Had a under dash in a 66 Chevy suburban. It was cool in the front and ok in the second seat.
Yes not too worried about custom fit given its a DD for me. Will have Audi leather seats in it for example. More how well they operate and then if do they do operate well (which is what people are saying) then whats the $1000 VA underdash MARK IV unit buy me over a $500 ebay special. Same compressor and lines. Condensor can be made to match. So then just the evaporator ? Hard to know how much better etc. I just need it cool on my face/self mostly when driving in FL sun. Just so I dont feel hot when driving. 95% of the time no-one else will be in the truck with me as I go to/from work.
Whatever you do, stay away from Old Air Products in Ft Worth! I bought a chinese unit from Luckys Hot Rod in Texas. It is typical chinese junk. Vintage is the best. Cold air has always been expensive
Do not use Southern Rods. I've had good luck with both Vintage Air and Cl***ic Auto Air. They are both about the same price but I prefer Cl***ic Auto Air for the controls and instructions. I also used a Hurricane unit from Old Air Products once and it did a good job. I don't remember the controls on that one, but the hoses were a little easier to route. My research at the time indicated it might cool a big car a little better. It went in a 1970 Chrysler 300; not as much room as your truck, but quite a bit of interior to cool. Haven't heard back from that customer in a while but I ***ume it's still working well. Do your research and get the best you can afford because buying it twice adds up, like I had to for the Southern rods unit I used.
I have a Cold Master below the dash unit in my 40 and it works very well. Cold Master makes everything from big rig refers to cars. I personally found them easy to work with and priced right. http://coldmasterinc.com/product-category/air-conditioning-kit/
Wow, I like those coldmaster units. Wonder if I can incorporate one into a center console for my '55 Chevy?
A cut to fit shower curtain and rod hung behind the front seat in dd panel truck will keep 90% of the cold air around you, easy to put up or take down
I did that to the Old Air unit in my 57 chevy wagon. Didnt help at all. Stay away from Old Air in Ft Worth
Spend the money and do it right,I used Southern Air and saved some cash but it just doesn't do the job. I am installing a heat & air unit in my old Deuce sedan and yea it's pricey but it will be worth it. HRP
I don't have personal experience yet. However, I went with the largest unit that VA makes for Clarence. It's purchased but not yet installed. I posted this 'cause I've read about every thread on A/C that's ever been posted. What I can tell you from all this research is that VA is the favorite. Not the only good unit, but the front runner. It's a lot of money, but I only intend to buy it once. Clarence has a LOT of cubic feet inside and I want to be able to drive cross country in 100* heat comfortably. It's getting a lot of insulation before the new interior also. I'm still researching the insulation deal, but again I'll put in the best I can find. Sherry and aren't ancient yet, but we're knocking on the door. This is a last time deal for us. I've had Clarence 45 years and this build is to be our last (it's been done twice before). We have always wanted some creature comforts. Now is the time. This is our one chance to have a cross country cruiser that doesn't wear us out or make us sweat like we're in a sauna. Your '57 Chevy panel probably has a few more cubic feet than Clarence. And while Florida is warmer in the winter than Missouri the summers are about the same; hot and humid. Please get the best you can afford. b-t-w; I got the unit that is up under the dash with under dash vents. I had to lose the glove box and cowl vent mechanism but believe it will be worth it. Also the engine is getting pulled in order to seal up every possible way that engine heat can get inside.
I've been eyeing those coldmaster units on eBay for a while, never saw one that I knew of in person. Good to know they work good. My question is what is the quality on the lines in the kits? Some of the fittings look a little cheap in the pics on the site. I'm thinking about the heat and cool unit with the woodgrain face for my car.
I've installed 10-12 Vintage Air units and wouldn't use anything else. They've been in business for decades a with great customer service. Southern Air units are Chinese garbage. Gary
I'm not sure. They are local to me so I've been thinking about driving over sometime to have a look/chat. I liek the idea of buying local for any issues that pop up. They deal with commercial AC units and p***enger. Would love to hear more from "Sheep Dip" above who actually has one installed.
I have a VA unit in my 40 Coupe. Their Customer Service is awesome! I am going to switch mine to an under dash unit instead of the hidden unit because I don’t like the vent options. I am working on a cable system so I can keep my cowl vent operational. When I get that worked out I’m switching over to their under dash Heat/Cool unit. My cars is 60’s style so it’s keeping with the build era too.
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