The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Air Conditioner for a 1959 Apache

I am a new bolter, I bought a beautiful 1959 Apache from a local man who had taken very good care of it. She is in great shape but I am wanting to make her my daily driver and I want an air conditioner for the hot Texas summers. My question is... What system works best in an Apache? Are there companies that install them? How much money am I looking at? Do I need to make changes to the radiator? Can the 235 handle an air
conditioner? Or should I leave this old lady alone,roll down the windows, and just sweat in the summer?
Any info will help greatly.
cliff59

go with vintage air sure fit, it'll be the easiest install.
2nd choice would be air-tique.

there really ain't any other choices, imo....

may have to go to Patricks for compresser brackets, though.

I installed an Old Air unit in my 53 and it works well with the 235. I ordered it form Patrick and picked it up at old air in Fort Worth and saved the shipping. I went with the deluxe model and spent about 1300 Bucks. Installation, I did it myself or there guys at Old Air that will install it for you.

The original 260 still works good in my 59.

Hey CLIFF59 neighbor, what part of the great state of Texas you located in? I just have a rubber fan on my dash, but that's good enough considering I only do stinky jobs with my 59.

Cliff,

You will need to convert the stock generator over to an alternator. Most of the kits have the necessary brackets although you should be able to even use your original bracket if you want to.

The reason for this swap is because the generators put out only about 25-45 amps depending which actual generator your truck is equipped with. I believe the air conditioning systems want at least a 70-amp alternator but check the particular unit spec you purchase.

Good luck with your installation.

Hey I thought by 1959 the Apache had already switched over to 12 volt. I know that mine is or has been converted to a 12 volt. But what about all of those options the companies may try to sell? Is it strange to (buy) an air/heat unit for such an old pick-up. I however really want that cool air in the summer and heat in the winter. thank you fellow bolters for helping me out
cliff59
stovebolter 9045

What Jim is trying to get across is the need for higher current to use an AC. The 59's were a 12 volt setup but used a generator not and alternator.

thanks bruce and jim and the rest of you who are helping me out trying to find an ac unit that will work in my 59 Any one ever heard of Classic Auto Air? this company is out of Florida.
again thanks
cliff59

I am planning to use the Classic Auto air unit in my 48 chevy.
I have researched all the available aftermarket units and I think that the classic one is the best quality.
I would like to hear from someone who has installed and used one.
Grigg

Ok there GRIGG,

I had Classic Auto Air install my unit back in January of this year (easy to get a good deal in the Winter).

I really like the benifits of the A/C dehumidified defroster and heat.

After the instalation I drove My Bolt home in freezing rain, and she heated up like a Texas summer day.
I did wonder what the A/C would be like on a real Summer day.. but I was then, and am now more than Impressed with the cold air, on the Hot Mineral Wells days of summer.

Now Don't get me wrong.. A 1959 or 48 Bolt has a HOT METAL cab that is not at all like the cabs of today, with there plastic and felt covering every inch of "metal" (I guess you can call it that)

What I am trying to say is that In Direct sun the cab is harder to cool off than one of todays Chevys... but I roll down the windows, and cool off the cab, and then close my vents and windows and .. ..that Bolt of mine is blowing COLD AIR. (life is good)

I think that the dehumidified defroster has made my unit a better bargan because; I used to have to switch the heat and defroster from one to another in the cold winters but now.. she heats and defrosts just like a 2006 Chevy.

I like my A/C Heater so much that I am going to put a unit in my 1952 Chevy Deluxe.

Good luck.

Cliff(likes his A/C)59

Hey Cliff,
That is good to hear.
Thanks for making up my mind for me about the A/C. There are so many kits out there...
I will be doing everything I can possibly do to make my cab quiter, and therefore more insulated. I have a Detroit Diesel, so no mater what I do it will still be loud. So I guess I will be extra pleased with the A/C when I get it.

I would still like to hear more + and - of the Classic air under dash unit from the rest of you guys with one.

Grigg