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Just getting done with a V8 swap, found that my heater core is shot...options are replace it @ $300-$400 and still have heat only or upgrade to an ac/heat system (which was in the plan...just not quite yet, $$$$$)
Winter is on its way, all the wonderful info in the forums say that a stock heat system holds 4-7 lbs of pressure and with a V8 it wouldn't hold up for long anyway.
I am looking for anyone who has installed an ac/heat system of any kind to respond how well it works and if there were any problems with the install.
Searching the web, 3 companies keep coming up. Vintage Air, Classic Auto Air, and Old Air Products. All 3 seem comparable, little things like the controls and defrost ducts seem to be the difference.
Just curious who has used these companies and which has the best results........'
Please chime in with any info, spending $1200-1800 would be easier if I knew I would be happy with the results. Thanks!

i've used 4 southern air systems ($800). i'm going to try vintage air on my next build. southern works good but is not as refined as the vintage system. and vintage has come out with a more "budget" system.

daren

I have 3 of the Southern Air systems (one Maxi II and one Maxi I systems that are installed and I am in the process of installing another Maxi I) and am happy with them all. They were really easy installs. I lost about 2 inches of glove box depth is all. They do a really good job at cooling the cab down in this Florida heat.

I have a vintage air heater only (it's the Gen II style). I know you want A/C, but it was $250 Canadian and works great!

I have a 261 in my truck. Looking to install air in my truck. Input from any of you Stovebolters with air and running an inline six. It gets in the Boise area during the summer. Having air will make driving more enjoyable.

Check with Vintage Air in San Antonio or Old Air Products in Ft> Worth. Both of them actually design and make much of their stuff while most others just box up components from various sources and then sell it as a kit. If no one has a kit for your set up You can PM me and see if you like the home made one I did.

You did not mention the year or if it is a truck or Suburban/Panel. Six or V8.

I have used Vintage Air. I met with the Old Air Guys last year at SEMA and liked their products. I may try one in the next project.

Vintage Air makes a kit for trucks and uses their Gen II system. This works fine in a small cab. It is also the most complete way to buy it.

If you have a Suburban or Panel you can fit the Gen II super and in both cases still keep a functional cowl vent. In both cases you lose part of the glove box depth. The kit includes a shorten glove box liner or they will sell it seperately.

What's different about fitting AC in a pickup compared to a suburban or panel? I thought it'd be the same if it's under/behind the dash.

I ask because I'm close to buying a Vintage Air unit for my 48 truck and haven't decided which model and options are best for me.

Grigg

The install should be exactly the same. I don't think the size of the unit would differ at all either.

The space under the dash is the same as you all know.

The difference is that Gen II Super is slightly longer. It will still fit and if you modify the cowl vent handle slightly you can keep the vent. When I installed mine I made a bracket on the firewall to attach the back of the unit to and a cross brace under the dash to attach the front of the unit to. My objective was to make it drop in or out for future service.

Also keep in mine that the "kit" from Vintage air is a great way to go for a truck. It comes with a SD7 Compressor. Fine for a truck but if you want to put a dual system in with rear air on a Suburban it may not have the capacity to run both at the same time.

If you have never done an ac install before get the kit.

Old Air is what I have. It was a draw between Old Air and Vintage Air. Old Air won out because they have an option that provides a vent that mounts where the old speakers were located. This eliminates the need for that pesky vent run at the bottom of the dash. The install was not too difficult. I live in Dallas and have a 2nd home 30 minutes north of San Antonio so location had no bearing on my choice.

I too like the clean under dash look, those add on vents just look wrong if you want an original appearing truck.
I'm planning on Vintage air and make or find my own vents to suit, through the speaker grill probably.

I don't think vent location is so tricky you can't mix and match to suit, pick the brand you want and figure out vents you like.

Grigg

I believe both units are equally good. If you are sold on Vintage you could order the vent part that bolts to the speaker grill and the two end vents from Old air and have the best of both.

Good to know,
Thanks,
Grigg

IMHO the AC will feel more efficient if the vent placement allows cold air to hit you in the face. I have a 55.1 with a GMC dash. I've got a center vent and two corner vents under the dash. It cools well but it takes a while to feel good. I think moving the center vent up higher would help. The speaker grill vent should get that done in the Chevy dash.

regards,
Leon