non ac to ac - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

navy68chevy · 11-30-2015, 03:04 PM

has anyone ever tryed to make an ac dash out of a non ac dash is it just driliing holes in the non ac please have pics if u have

davepl · 11-30-2015, 04:29 PM

google "site:67-72chevytrucks.com ac dash conversion"

The firewall is different. It's been done, but the firewall will require metalwork. The consensus I've seen in the past is that if you want to do a stock setup, get an AC cab. Otherwise go Vintage Air or similar.

Andy4639 · 11-30-2015, 05:52 PM

I did it long ago. Cut and drilled everything myself.

kehstr · 11-30-2015, 06:19 PM

not only do you have to cut the firewall, and cut for the new vents, you also have to run vacuum lines, and find the ac parts. Then there are some vacuum valves that you will have to drill holes for. Seems like to much work for me. If i was you, i would just buy a vintage air kit, and put that in. They tend to work better, take up less room in the engine bay, and the inside of the cab. Sounds like a no brainier to me. Especially with the new R134 refrigerant that doesn't work as good with the old ac setup as the old R12 that the trucks came with originally, and you can't even get the R12 refrigerant in most places (if any at all) and is getting harder and harder to find.

**john** · 11-30-2015, 08:11 PM

I cut my dash and used an OLD AIR unit inside.

Andy4639 · 11-30-2015, 08:56 PM

I did mine back in late 89. No kits back then like there is now for the prices they get for them I'd do it again if I found the donor truck for all the parts. Nothing to it. Having the whole AC out of another truck is what makes it work nice.
Having the donor is like having a kit + instructions on where it all goes and how.

Tdrcreyn4 · 12-01-2015, 10:34 AM

I completely agree with Andy 4639. I just did my truck with original parts. Used a donor fire wall cut. I just overlaid it drilled the extra holes then used a body saw and cut both at the same time. Welded in the AC cut with no problems. Took me a day to get it done from disassembly to reassembly with new AC boxes. The interior was a breeze. Again used templates and a body saw. Done in about 30 minutes. I personally wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. With a factory assembly manual and service manual you have everything you need to know. Vacuum lines were a breeze. I wanted an original look versus vintage air and cutting holes is a heck of a lot easier in the cab than replacing the cab or entire dash. On top of that I got every single part I needed right here and have less in it than a vintage air kit. My opinion, the sweat equity is worth it and it looks better......for what it's worth.

mrein3 · 12-01-2015, 01:38 PM

I always tell people if you have more money than time buy an aftermarket kit. If you're like me in this wonderful economy and have way more time than money I would (and did) convert using stock parts.

Check it out here:
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478564
If you scroll down to post number 8 in that link I posted a parts list. I don't know how valid it is any more but its a start.

11-30-2015, 03:04 PM	#1
navy68chevy Registered User Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: yakima washington Posts: 32	non ac to ac has anyone ever tryed to make an ac dash out of a non ac dash is it just driliing holes in the non ac please have pics if u have

11-30-2015, 04:29 PM	#2
davepl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 6,332	Re: non ac to ac google "site:67-72chevytrucks.com ac dash conversion" The firewall is different. It's been done, but the firewall will require metalwork. The consensus I've seen in the past is that if you want to do a stock setup, get an AC cab. Otherwise go Vintage Air or similar. __________________ 1970 GMC Sierra Grande Custom Camper - Built, not Bought 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Coupe 1969 Pontiac 2+2 427/390 4-speed Convertible

11-30-2015, 05:52 PM	#3
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: non ac to ac I did it long ago. Cut and drilled everything myself. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

11-30-2015, 06:19 PM	#4
kehstr Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Utah Posts: 748	Re: non ac to ac not only do you have to cut the firewall, and cut for the new vents, you also have to run vacuum lines, and find the ac parts. Then there are some vacuum valves that you will have to drill holes for. Seems like to much work for me. If i was you, i would just buy a vintage air kit, and put that in. They tend to work better, take up less room in the engine bay, and the inside of the cab. Sounds like a no brainier to me. Especially with the new R134 refrigerant that doesn't work as good with the old ac setup as the old R12 that the trucks came with originally, and you can't even get the R12 refrigerant in most places (if any at all) and is getting harder and harder to find.

11-30-2015, 08:11 PM	#5
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: non ac to ac I cut my dash and used an OLD AIR unit inside. Attached Images __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

11-30-2015, 08:56 PM	#6
Andy4639 Old member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Liberty, & Garden City S.C. , U.S. Posts: 19,936	Re: non ac to ac I did mine back in late 89. No kits back then like there is now for the prices they get for them I'd do it again if I found the donor truck for all the parts. Nothing to it. Having the whole AC out of another truck is what makes it work nice. Having the donor is like having a kit + instructions on where it all goes and how. __________________ 1971 LWB Custom, 6.0LS & 4L80E, Speedhut.com GPS speedometer & gauges with A/C. 20" Boss 338's Grey wheels 4 wheel disc brakes. My Driver Seeing the USA in a 71 Upstate SC GM Truck Club 2013,14 and 2016 Hot Rod Pour Tour http://upstategmtrucks.com/ Get out and drive the truck this summer and have some fun! It sucks not being able to hear! LWB trucks rule, if you don't think so measure your SWB! After talking to tech support at Air Lift I have found out that the kit I need is 60811. Per the measurements I gave them. Ride height of truck inside spring and inside diameter of springs.

12-01-2015, 10:34 AM	#7
Tdrcreyn4 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 702	Re: non ac to ac I completely agree with Andy 4639. I just did my truck with original parts. Used a donor fire wall cut. I just overlaid it drilled the extra holes then used a body saw and cut both at the same time. Welded in the AC cut with no problems. Took me a day to get it done from disassembly to reassembly with new AC boxes. The interior was a breeze. Again used templates and a body saw. Done in about 30 minutes. I personally wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. With a factory assembly manual and service manual you have everything you need to know. Vacuum lines were a breeze. I wanted an original look versus vintage air and cutting holes is a heck of a lot easier in the cab than replacing the cab or entire dash. On top of that I got every single part I needed right here and have less in it than a vintage air kit. My opinion, the sweat equity is worth it and it looks better......for what it's worth. __________________ 1968 C10 292/3 spd - sold 1969 K10 350/3 spd/205 - sold 1971 K5 350/4 spd/ 205 - sold 1970 K20 350/350/205 - sold 1969 K20 396/400/205 - work in process

12-01-2015, 01:38 PM	#8
mrein3 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Center City, MN, USA Posts: 3,253	Re: non ac to ac I always tell people if you have more money than time buy an aftermarket kit. If you're like me in this wonderful economy and have way more time than money I would (and did) convert using stock parts. Check it out here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=478564 If you scroll down to post number 8 in that link I posted a parts list. I don't know how valid it is any more but its a start. __________________ '70 cab, '71 chassis, 383, TH350, NP205. '71 Malibu convertible '72 Malibu hard top Center City, MN



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