I have a '54 6400 2.5 ton dump bed I am currently resurrecting. When I acquired the truck it was a daily driver, although, had minimal wiring and no heater. A 292 ci had been installed probably during the late '70s. In my build my plan is to leave the patina on the outside of the vehicle and the interior will be showroom quality. I acquired a Vintage Air unit from a wrecked '56 pickup, although the V8 had already been removed. I was able to get the unit for nothing. So my original plan was I would atleast have defrost. Long story short, I know, too late. I insulated the entire cab and am now thinking of installing Air Conditioning to the truck. Was curious if others had added A/C to a Big Bolt?
It should be just as easy to do the 6400 as a pick-up since the cab is the same. I haven't done one but it's just time and money. We can do the tough jobs with enough time and money, the impossible jobs just take a little more.
1957 Chevrolet 5700 LCF 283 SM420 2 speed rear, 1955 IH 300U T/A, 1978 Corvette 350 auto, 1978 Yamaha DT175, 1999 Harley Davidson Softail Fat Boy
I want to do that to mine, at some point, for driving all around the country pulling our vintage travel trailer, it would make it more enjoyable being able to have the windows up and A/C on for extended periods going down the freeway!
I did that to my one-ton using a Hot Rod Air unit. They are now out of business. It has it's drawbacks but cools effectively. Its problem is the defrost. All the aftermarket units I've looked at use a combined heater core/evaporator to save space. The result on mine is that in defrost mode it doesn't drain water from the evaporator fast enough and you have to constantly fuss with the temperature knob to keep the windows from fogging up. And if using the cooling function with the heater to keep the windows clear, you can't set the temperature high enough to be comfortable without the windows fogging up. Works OK if it's really cold and you just set the temperature to max, which locks out the compressor, and crack a window.
These problems may be unique to my model but I've heard similar complaints from others with other brand units, most recently on an old Peterbilt with aftermarket air conditioning. "Defrost sucks", said the owner.
1951 3800 1-ton "Earning its keep from the get-go" In the DITY Gallery 1962 261 (w/cam, Fenton headers, 2 carbs, MSD ign.), SM420 & Brown-Lipe 6231A 3spd aux. trans, stock axles & brakes. Owned since 1971.
In my 54 3100 I have an after market A/C I use the A/C for a summer inside windsheild clearing. For years I made sure I had a rag to wipe the inside and the a light bulp turned on very dim in my case but I turned the A/c on and instantly it was clear.
Ron, The Computer Greek I love therefore I am. 1954 3100 Chevy truck In the Gallery 2017 Buick Encore See more pix 1960 MGA Roadster Sold 7/18/2017
I've had good luck with Vintage Air products. The trick is the A/C brackets and drive for our old engines. On original engines I will usually build a bracket and find a "piggyback" type sheave for the generator and run off of it. If you re clever enough this can be done without hacking up the truck. I actually installed an A/C unit in a model A ford that I had built many years ago. 40 horses of fury at the crank.... it would go from 45 mph down to 35 when the compressor kicked. What was nice about it was during parades. The war department and her mom would be sitting in the rumble seat baking in the Texas sun while they where handing out trinkets to kids, and I would have the windars up and a windbreaker on. Everytime they looked into the back windar I would do the hands rubbing together I'm so cold bit... Good times.
