The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk AD Vintage air firewall pics?

Hi Guys, I am looking to add the VintageAir surefit kit to my 51, But I am unsure what holes are used in the firewall. I want to weld up the rest (PO put a LOT of strange holes in FW) The instructions just say to use existing holes. I email tech support and they don't have any more info. They said to buy one and test fit it. I don't want to buy it yet becuase I have not finalized the engine setup.

So anyone out there have some mounting pics of the Vintage Air kit and how it mounts to the Firewall? Thanks!

Here's the page right out of their catalog, looks like a great 'KIT' and the way to go. I did my old 46 a couple years back NO KIT and the tech support at Vintage Air was great, best thing I've ever added to this truck. Also I'm pretty sure they will send you the instructions for your truck prior to ordering and if they won't ask around on this site, maybe some other bolter will make you a copy?
Here it is, download from their site.
:

http://www.vintageair.com/DownloadsSection/Surefit/Chevrolet%20Trucks/1947-55%20Chevrolet%20Truck%20(wo-fact%20air)%20Inet.pdf
Best of luck

http://www.vintageair.com/catalog11/pg34wc.pdf

Kevin,
If you install one of those kits, could you please post your "review" of it with some pictures of your installation? I'm looking at doing it too, but I'm about a year behind you.
Dave Evans
52_3100

mine looks very similar and is from old air.look at pictures in photobucket.

I am very happy for folks who have installed Vintage Air and Old Air truck air conditioners in their trucks and like the way they work. I haven't seen really good results in the two installations of those products I have experienced in trucks. One friend put one in a 1952 3/4 ton Chevy and the other friend put the other one in a 1958 3/4 ton Apache. Both blew kind of cool but nothing like we are used to in modern cars air cooling. I noticed that many of the vendors of new air conditioning units for vintage vehicles do not list the cfm's or btu's for their units or anything else to compare them. Some couldn't even tell me the ratings when I called them. If I am going to buy a unit I want some factual ratings to compare products. When I finally found out the ratings for some of the vintage air units vendors, the ratings seemed minimal output. Then a friend told me in the 70's he had an under the dash unit in a 60's Chevy pick up that got so cold on a hot day his girlfriend couldn't stand it and he had to turn it off and on to keep from getting too cold. That sounded good to me. So I started researching old under the dash units and what it would take to make one work good and be dependable. Many of the old used under dash units are for sale on Ebay and Craigslist but usually don't include the pump or condenser. I called a really nice guy at a company in Tennessee that builds and repairs a/c pumps and he advised me against trying to rehab an old under the dash unit because there would be too many pitfalls. I told the guy I have a 63 Impala wagon and want an under the dash unit that has a lot of cooling power and the vendor isn't afraid to tell the ratings and compare them to other products. The guy told me to call Catlin Truck Accessories and Auto Air in Jacksonville,Florida because they have been installing under the dash units since 1956 and really know their stuff. One of the Catlin brothers spent a long time explaining the ratings, parts and cost of his most powerful unit and why it would even cool the big wagon. I recommend that anyone considering purchasing an after market air unit call Catlin first at 904 354-8521 and compare the ratings of their products with the other units you are considering. I am saving up for one.

I've also been researching and planning on air conditioning for my truck and want to hear more about Vintage Air installs in Ad's.

From what I've read for years now Vintage Air is the best choice. Did a lot of browsing over on the H.A.M.B. and time after time Vintage Air is recommended over the others for both quality, reliability, and customer service.

As far as output and capacity and if the particular unit works very good or not... There are a whole bunch of other variables to consider: condenser area and efficiency, compressor, was the system filled properly (not over filled), and very important is having good cab weatherstrip and insulation.
These AD Trucks only have so much room under the dash. My thought is choose the manufacturer with the best components and service you can find. All the manufacturers of aftermarket AC have the same amount of space to work with in these trucks, unlikely that any one of higher quality kits is head and shoulders above the rest as far as cooling ability.

Choose quality and service, make the best of what you get and don't expect to store your extra ice cream under the seat.

Grigg

Thanks for the spirited comments! The Vintage air catalog pics don't show everything.

truckcamper, can you get some firewall pics from your friends 52 3/4 ton installation? thanks

I don't plan to put air in the Fallen Hero's Dream Ride, but I do have Vintage Air in my '68 Camaro and have been very happy with it.

Sorry I can't get the pictures. The truck was sold two years ago to help pay for the daughter's college tuition.

I installed Vintage Air two years ago in my 1950 3100 with 350 sbc. It cools nicely in the warm weather and warms nicely in the cold weather. Installation isn't complicated. I found the kit makes it easy. You will lose your glovebox. (small price for the comfort.

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/joetravjr/DSC01632.jpg

http://i845.photobucket.com/albums/ab15/joetravjr/DSC01622-1.jpg

Joe Trav

Joe,

When you say "lose your glovebox", do you mean that the entire volume of the glovebox is filled with A/C stuff? Or could the glovebox be reduced in depth to accomodate it?

Dave Evans

Mine was shortened front too back.

Thanks Joe! So in your firewall pic there are two painted carriage bolts and two bolts that stick out 9that have wireing grommets on them). Which ones are used to support the inside suitcase? Or are all 4 used? Anyway to get measurements from the top or sides? Thanks and nice looking truck!

Hi guys, under the dash is a lot of room to mount the unit. Once the old heater is out you can fabricate brackets as well as bolt it through the firewall. As far as the glovebox is concerned you can shorten it up or utilize the space for whatever ( I park my gps unit in the space when not in use) I put magnets on the back of the gps and stick it to the back of the glovebox door. I also have the connection for my satellite radio in the space.

Joe Trav

#1 You need 12 volts.

#2 Large Alternator, I would go with 100 amps.

#3 Insulate every thing everywhere.Bubble wrapped foil works well.

#4 Do not expect much cooling past the front two seats unless you add a evaporator in the rear.

#5 Paint the truck a light color to reduce the heat gain and see #3.

#6. 235 or larger engine.

#7. Large radiator and electric high volume fan.

All of the above make for a trouble free system well built & designed system.