Vintage air, anyone used their products on a square?

[Affende]

I have two trucks, 83, and 84, with non-functioning heat and a/c. Both trucks are getting completely rewired and im considering using the vintage air a/c product to have a 100% new system.

its a more modern system, which does bother me since its electronically controlled instead of vacuum operated ... but im wondering if it is more efficient and works generally better?

Has anyone used their products before? i cant find many reviews on them.

thanks in advance.

 

[Qwk]

Straight forward install, with good directions. Blows really cold air, but my interior stays warm in the summer. I dont blame VA, more of my Spartan, no frills interior. ie. Seat, mat and no interior pieces at all. There are some pics of the install on my build thread, link in signature.

 

[spanky55amg]

I havent put one in a square, though we did put one in my buddies 70 Chevelle, and I fully plan on putting on in the square. I guess working on Mercedes Benz for so long, and I guess newer cars in general, stepper motor is the way to go. When they go out, it can be a bitch to replace, depending on where they are. C classes had one in a funky location. I really dont see a downside to their system at all. Newer tech, can look factory, removes stuff from under the hood, doesnt use vacuum. It will get just as cool and just as hot.

 

[bucket]

There's another company too, Old Air Products. I have their catalog at home. But anyway, their setup looked to be WAY nicer than the Vintage Air setup (less 'universal hot rod parts' looking). The cost for the whole kit was reasonable as well.

 

[74propu]

Thhttps://nostalgicac.com/complete-ac-kits/chevrolet-complete-ac-kits/chevy-truck-ac-kits/1980-1987-c-series-chevy-pickup-truck-a-c-kit.htmlen there is these guys I have used them before on my 74 it is a redo of a dealer add on air system .

 

[74propu]

https://nostalgicac.com/

 

[MikeB]

Check out this 87 installation video:

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I have installed older cable-actuated VA systems in a 55 Chevy car and 69 Chevy pickup. I wasn't all that impressed with the products, especially the "box" containing the evaporator coil and heater core. On both of mine, the doors wouldn't fully seal when closed, meaning if you wanted 100% of the air going to the dash vents, you'd still get quite a lot on the floor. Problem was gaps around the doors. Also, the design was such that approx 2/3 of the dash and floor airflow was to the driver's side. That was because I don't think they understood how air going around a bend wants to turn easily. (Anyone who has ever dealt with piping and valves can tell you that.)

I recently spoke to a VA dealer about those problems, and he said the new Gen IV units have addressed them both. To poster "Qwk" above, does your system have either of those issues?

Heck, if the bottom of the dash didn't curve towards the firewall so much, I'd get an old school type under-dash unit.

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[1987 GMC Jimmy]

I'd just keep the factory air. Those systems, in my opinion, are great for vehicles that weren't optioned with air or predated an A/C option at all, but that's about it. Your air will blow strong as long as there's a good vacuum connection going to the controller and the ductwork is properly connected. Even with an R134a conversion, it'll still blow nice and cold.

 

[MikeB]

I'd just keep the factory air. Those systems, in my opinion, are great for vehicles that weren't optioned with air or predated an A/C option at all, but that's about it. Your air will blow strong as long as there's a good vacuum connection going to the controller and the ductwork is properly connected. Even with an R134a conversion, it'll still blow nice and cold.

I agree. Seems like all the parts are still available.

 

[foamypirate]

I'd just keep the factory air. Those systems, in my opinion, are great for vehicles that weren't optioned with air or predated an A/C option at all, but that's about it. Your air will blow strong as long as there's a good vacuum connection going to the controller and the ductwork is properly connected. Even with an R134a conversion, it'll still blow nice and cold.

x2. Mine blows nice and cold. It will keep me comfortable on a 105* Texas day. I may not be "ice cold", but it's more than adequate.

 

[yevgenievich]

Another one for factory ac. In my suburban it works better than my 2013 economy car

 

[Affende]

wow ... lots of answers in a short time and about a 50/50 split. I really want to clean up the engine bay so im leaning toward the VA kit ... even though it looks like it eats most of the glovebox away.

thanks all.

 

[74 Shortbed]

I'll be putting VA in mine, and my Nova..

 

[gmachinz]

I'm biased towards factory AC components but I also restore them too so its fun imo lol! The pita stuff to replace are things like blend door seals, foam sealing strips for the ductwork, stuff like that.

 

[Affende]

I'm biased towards factory AC components but I also restore them too so its fun imo lol! The pita stuff to replace are things like blend door seals, foam sealing strips for the ductwork, stuff like that.

that is most of the reason why i am leaning toward a full kit, ripping it all out and starting over makes sense to em... That and the fact that a lot of stuff is so old and brittle its just falling apart on me.