Today's plan (yes as the knowledge base expands, plans change). Go with a double sheave pulley on a Sanden 508 compressor. The harmonic balancer directly drives the compressor, the compressor drives the alternator (see image below). This exact setup is being used by others on the 'Bolt. It's simple, clean and proven.
To mount the compressor and alternator a Davis 10032 bracket kit for $120
here.Found
this condenser kit for $305. While you could likely assemble something for less, I do like that it's designed specifically for our trucks, utilizing existing holes and openings (a grain or grains of salt may be appropriate).
The only hole in the grand plan now is the underdash evaporator. With the new coil in the heater box the factory heater does a fine job keeping things warm. The defroster,,,,,,not that great. Most vintage looking underdash units are in the 15 to 16" range wide. This is too wide to keep the original heater And keep the actuation handle for the cowl vent. I really don't want to do away with the cowl vent since for the shoulder months of summer, it does a great job of keeping the cab comfortable. Well that and it just looks right to see the vent open.
In a perfect world I'd locate a 12" or 13" wide evaporator. Since dense, .75" foam rubber along with peel-n-stick from Lowes is used throughout the cab (including the roof and doors) I'm thinking a smaller unit will work. I found a reference to someone using a rear ac from an older Suburban but haven't been able to nail down any specifics. I'm visualizing a ceiling mounted, drop down unit that would work under dash. Don't really know if one exists.
Thanks for all suggestions.
RonR
