The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Air Conditioning for 1955 Second Series

I'm looking for an air conditioning system for my 1955 second series pickup. The truck has a newer 350 engine. I found some systems that cost upwards of fifteen hundred dollars. I was hoping for a less expensive unit and was hoping someone could let me know of one.

The only thing cheaper than what you see in the aftermarket is buy a period correct, or new, under dash hang down evaporator and buy the under hood components and have it plumbed and filled.
Amazon has an under dash similar to old school for $150. Speedway $229.
Amazon has a complete under dash kit for $510.
For those on a budget, go with under dash rather than the thin line "built in" look. The center passenger has limited leg room however.

I know no shelf but. Maybe it could be adapted.

I put a Vintage Air setup in my '49, and while pricey like you say, it is awesome! You only have to spend the money once. Make sure to insulate the cab, especially under your Task Force headliner.

I think the cheapest I found was Southern Air, but went with Vintage as they had the better reputation. You might be able to wait until something pops up on Craigslist or eBay.

If you purchase an old hang-down unit I'd suggest you get one designed for 134a coolant. However if you do want to go the old Freon 12 route, I have a brand new compressor I've listed here and you can have it really cheap. The listing aged out but I can bring it back up if you want it. Alternatively, flush the oil out of it, replace with the correct oil and 134a fittings and you'll be good to go.

I went with Old Air Products. They're all pretty similar, but Ft. Worth was closer to me.

I went with Vintage Air, best money I ever spent! After working with a neighbor to get his Southern Air to work in a '55 Chevy car, I decided Vintage Air was the way to go. The car never would cool like I thought it should. Mine blows 37 degree air all the time, even on 90 + days. You will get what you pay for, so shop wisely.

Thank you for all the comments. I spoke to a guy at a car show this last weekend who has a 57 pickup and he said that it was sooo much trouble installing the air conditioning that he would not do it if he had to do it all over again. I think that I'll reconsider the air also.

Depends on your skills and ability. Mine was a breeze and I don't know why I didn't do it sooner. Oh yeah, cost.

Then again, I fabricate a lot of my own stuff.

The guy at the car show does not know what he is talking about. A/C is made up of individual components. A compressor mounted to a 350 is as easy as it gets. The rest of the under hood components are mounted with brackets on rad crossover (condenser) and on fender (drier). The inside is old school evaporator/blower motor or fancy aftermarket evaporator/blower with ducting...... bolted to dash and maybe a firewall support. It's all just hosed together. None of it is a big effort.
If you use a vintage old school hang down, you can use 134, no problem, because everything that matters is new and 134 compatible.

This example is a complete under dash kit showing the necessary components. Just showing what is involved, not much. You can buy the components anywhere and possibly save money. When you are done, you take it to a shop and they will leak test, evacuate and fill with Freon. That part is needed no matter what you buy.

I see the same (Amazon) Coldmaster unit on Ebay for $448 free ship. Don't know quality. They use a Sanden "style" compressor. A genuine Sanden 508 is best. It is the heart of AC. The other components are "static" and do not fail much.

Not too many trucks with more room under hood and under dash than a TF.
With the Vintage air $1500 style units, you are paying for the custom designed tucked away, under dash feature. I'm sure their components are quality. Lot of money for center passenger comfort. The hang down is actually more period correct.

I went for 18 years without a/c, these last two summers with a/c have been so much nicer, wish I would have installed it years ago. Maybe the truck would have more then 11K miles on it.