The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network







Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Go Back   The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network > 47 - Current classic GM Trucks > The 1967 - 1972 Chevy/GMC Suburbans & Panels Message Board

Web 67-72chevytrucks.com


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-19-2011, 06:04 PM   #1
38chevyhotrod
Registered User
 
38chevyhotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 191
aftermarket airconditioning

I was wondering, would an after market air conditioning do the job for a suburban.
I am looking at the vintage air units, who also do the heating.

There advertising for streetrods and camaro's and so on. But i don't see the suburbans listed.
__________________
Anybody can restore a classic, takes a man to cut one up.....

http://www.arnoldscustoms.com
38chevyhotrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2011, 10:13 AM   #2
gcburdic
Restoration Virgin!
 
gcburdic's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Huntersville, NC
Posts: 8,298
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

ttt for a little help
__________________
Geoff with a G
1968 Chevy C10 SWB The Mistress

1972 Custom Deluxe C20 Suburban A Suburban Named Isabella

1966 Ford Mustang Mama's High School Graduation Present
gcburdic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2011, 12:25 PM   #3
jbclassix
Junk Yartist
 
jbclassix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 2,203
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I am planning on using the vintage air unit under the dash and maybe one of their compact units in the rear, set in the left QP for a rear-air set up as well. Mostly for the reason that I will need 2 heaters for Winters.
__________________
-Jeremy

YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING

70 Crew Cab Build Link

70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread

95 Yukon Daily Driver

Rebuilding an NP205
jbclassix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-21-2011, 02:17 PM   #4
vectorit
What?
 
vectorit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Southern California
Posts: 7,617
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I've been interested in doing an AC upgrade on my burb as well.

I've wondered if the aftermarket companies who retro fit AC systems, would set one up for a burb? Maybe a larger compressor?
__________________
Chris
1968 K20 Suburban
1972 K10 LWB PU
vectorit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2011, 12:38 AM   #5
lowrollin70gmc
Too many projects
 
lowrollin70gmc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Fargo, ND land of the flat hills
Posts: 1,147
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I was thinking the normal vintage air under dash truck unit and then a street rod unit in the rear, I would probably run twin compressors and everything, making it two entirely separate systems, enabling me to run only as much as I need (if I'm driving alone vs a packed house). My only problem would be where to mount a second condenser.
__________________
Andrew
84 GMC C1500 SWB 6.2 Diesel/700R4/3.42 "Grandpa's odd duck"
70 GMC C1500 LWB My first truck: shaved, bagged, and more: the lowrollin70gmc
68 K20 Suburban 12V Cummins/NV5600/NP205/D60/11.5AAM 3.73s "Dakota Cadillac"
63 Chevy II Nova Coupe 250 I6/T56/4.56s "Economy car"
53 Willys Wagon 350/NV4500/BW4401/HP D44/9inch “Winter Wagon”
30 Model A 16 Focus ST
lowrollin70gmc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2011, 12:32 PM   #6
jbclassix
Junk Yartist
 
jbclassix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 2,203
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I was thinking about using both units and using a sanden off a 96 or newer suburban. They are about 10ci I think and handle cooling capacities very well. I plan on using stock style brackets so this is my simplest plan.

I want to do overhead vents, and think I will be running them up through the "d" pillars... we will see
__________________
-Jeremy

YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING

70 Crew Cab Build Link

70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread

95 Yukon Daily Driver

Rebuilding an NP205
jbclassix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-22-2011, 08:45 PM   #7
cparman
sharp as a marble
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: atlantic beach,florida
Posts: 1,082
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Most late model Burbs have rear air. I would think that this would almost be a HAVE TO. IF I had a burb, I would call Classic Auto Air, and Vintage Air to see if they had the fittings to 'T' off of the suction and discharge lines to run lines to the rear. Then the fun would begin. The 97 Burb I had, had an evaporator core located in the R.R corner of the rear corner. The trick would be to see just how creative you could be to run the ducts in the headliner!!
COME GUYS SHOW ME HOW IMPRESSED I COULD BE WITH YOUR FAB SKILLS!
cparman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2011, 01:45 AM   #8
jorgensensc
Registered User
 
jorgensensc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I installed the vintage air sure fit system in the burb. I had the AC guy run the lines to the rear and charge the system. It works fantastic and gets the truck plenty cool for in the Texas summer heat. Mind you it's not geezers cold like it would be in a truck, but it gets cold enough I have to turn it down to medium aftr awhile. My daughter actually complains it gets cold in the back. My biggest suggestion is insulate the crap out of the interiorand above the headliner. Hope this helps!
Shawn
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty
'56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration

-What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?-

-I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door-

R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE
jorgensensc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2011, 03:59 PM   #9
38chevyhotrod
Registered User
 
38chevyhotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 191
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Quote:
Originally Posted by jorgensensc View Post
I installed the vintage air sure fit system in the burb. I had the AC guy run the lines to the rear and charge the system. It works fantastic and gets the truck plenty cool for in the Texas summer heat. Mind you it's not geezers cold like it would be in a truck, but it gets cold enough I have to turn it down to medium aftr awhile. My daughter actually complains it gets cold in the back. My biggest suggestion is insulate the crap out of the interiorand above the headliner. Hope this helps!
Shawn
Posted via Mobile Device
Do I understand it correct that you installed this unit in addition to the standard ac?
I just want one ac under dash for my burb, I think 95% of the time i am alone in the car.

In the summer its like a greenhouse so hot, about 90 and in the winter it gets around 15
__________________
Anybody can restore a classic, takes a man to cut one up.....

http://www.arnoldscustoms.com
38chevyhotrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-23-2011, 04:27 PM   #10
jorgensensc
Registered User
 
jorgensensc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

The burb originally had factory front and rear AC. I installed the VA kit in front and hooked up the lines to utilize the factory rear AC also.
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty
'56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration

-What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?-

-I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door-

R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE
jorgensensc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-24-2011, 09:12 AM   #11
olblue60@aol.com
member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Silver Spring Md.20901
Posts: 2,031
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I have talked to the folks at Vintage Air, and they are more than happy to try to help out.
__________________
1967 C/K10 Chevy Panel
1968 C/K20 Chevy Pickup
1968 C/K10 Chevy Suburban
1941 Chevy Sedan Delivery
1960 Chevy Sedan Delivery
1972 Camaro SS 396 #s matching
1971 Harley FX Superglide
olblue60@aol.com is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-27-2011, 02:44 AM   #12
AzDon
Registered User
 
AzDon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lake Havasu,AZ
Posts: 202
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Nostalgicairparts.com has much better prices on everything. My first AC system build was using vintage air components to marry an old GM Long style compressor with an evaporator unit from an international scout into a 63 chevy pickup. The thing would ice the windows in 120 degree heat! Vintage air charged me more to restock unused parts than I paid for them AFTER I had bought more stuff to get the install sanitary. Honest? I DONT THINK SO! If you've never tackled an AC system install you should definitely get their catalog which has a lot of info to help you make good choices. The later chevy systems never used a sanden compressor, but a short, fat rotary compressor that usually mounts upper right. These were available from late seventies to at least the mid 90's (maybe till present) and came v-belt or serpentine. Dual AC evaporator setups just use a single compresssor, condensor, pressure switches and drier. A "T" in the low side line and a "T" in the high side line means that the two units run in parallel and can be operated independently of each other. When you pull the cowling down on a 73-87 chevy rear unit, you'll find an evaporator setup that is very much like an old under-dash aftermarket unit! My favorite scheme is to get an entire stock GN accesory-drive with pumps, pulleys, brackets and compressor, so that the belt setup is sure to work properly. My 68 Burb has a complete serpentine setup from a 87 Camaro with reverse-rotation waterpump and fan. I'm savin up for a Nostalgic Air Underdash heat/defrost/air unit and will probably use an old underdash unit hanging in the back.

Last edited by AzDon; 02-27-2011 at 02:47 AM.
AzDon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-19-2011, 05:51 PM   #13
38chevyhotrod
Registered User
 
38chevyhotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 191
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

I ordered the gen IV vintage air sure fit. I'll let you know how it works in the burb. It will take a while though because it has to be shipped by boat to the Netherlands.
__________________
Anybody can restore a classic, takes a man to cut one up.....

http://www.arnoldscustoms.com
38chevyhotrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-21-2011, 10:22 AM   #14
Burb
Coordinator of Synchronicity
 
Burb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: West of Houston, TX
Posts: 437
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Shawn ... I would like to see that setup some day ... I still have the old rear air unit hanging in the back, needing to be rebuilt, but was considering the same ... thing running a Vintage front and keeping the other system intact.
Other than the freon is your sysytem seperate or did you incorp. the wiring with the Vintage unit to use those controls?
__________________
Rick

1971 Suburban ... W.I.P. Build Thread
Customization is ones personal touch-- not what other people think it should be

Last edited by Burb; 03-21-2011 at 10:22 AM.
Burb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-24-2011, 11:54 AM   #15
jorgensensc
Registered User
 
jorgensensc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Cypress, Tx
Posts: 4,005
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Rick,
I installed the sure fit in the front using factory AC controls. The rear system was evacuated by my AC guy, thence made new hoses that teed into the vintage air hoses and ran all the way to the back. The factory switch on the dash still controls the rear system. It all worksvery well and luckily form me the rear system still blows very hard and you can definitely feel it in the front seat on the back of your neck when you turn it on. I'll get you some pics when I can.
Shawn
Posted via Mobile Device
__________________
1972 C20 Suburban- Big Blue Betty
'56 Chevy Bel Air Sedan- Frame up Restoration

-What would you attempt to achieve if you knew you could not fail?-

-I Refuse To Tiptoe Through Life, Only To Arrive Safely At Death's Door-

R.I.P. EAST SIDE LOW LIFE
jorgensensc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-25-2011, 03:38 PM   #16
Burb
Coordinator of Synchronicity
 
Burb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: West of Houston, TX
Posts: 437
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Great can't wait to see ... specially that "Tee" off the compressor.
__________________
Rick

1971 Suburban ... W.I.P. Build Thread
Customization is ones personal touch-- not what other people think it should be
Burb is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-26-2011, 01:42 AM   #17
magicoolbus
Registered User
 
magicoolbus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Mesa, AZ
Posts: 513
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Page 58 of the on-line 'old air products' catalog has a rear air hose kit. It looks like an assortment of fittings and stuff packaged up. I would also look into using number 8 and 10 splicers to 't' off the suction and discharge lines to run to back unit. Lots of places on line have them.

http://www.achoserepair.com/fittings.html (Look for: T splicer 3 way beadlock fitting)
__________________
JB from AZ
1969 Chevy Sub K10
1957 Chevy 3200
1962 VW Beetle
1957 Willys CJ5
magicoolbus is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 09:32 AM   #18
jeffg1010
Registered User
 
jeffg1010's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 2,675
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Quote:
Originally Posted by jorgensensc View Post
I installed the vintage air sure fit system in the burb. I had the AC guy run the lines to the rear and charge the system. It works fantastic and gets the truck plenty cool for in the Texas summer heat. Mind you it's not geezers cold like it would be in a truck, but it gets cold enough I have to turn it down to medium aftr awhile. My daughter actually complains it gets cold in the back. My biggest suggestion is insulate the crap out of the interiorand above the headliner. Hope this helps!
Shawn
Posted via Mobile Device
I have a similar install. I had the guy install the vintage air system and leave the lines "roughed" in. I then built a console that runs from the dash to under the second row of seats.

In the console, I hid the lines and I installed a vent on both sides of the dash, one in the middle (right below the dash in the console), two vents for the second row (console) and one below the second row seat to cool the third row. It works "pretty" good, but I will admit . . . while the second row cooling/heating is sufficient enough to be comfortable, I believe I am pushing the limits of the system.

There isn't a very high volume of air coming out of the rear vents. Of course, I have also considered the idea that it may be an installation issue, because I do not get a high volume of air in any of the other vents.
__________________
Jeff
1972 Blazer CST 2wd- My son Sam's Project "S" Project "S"
1970 Suburban - SOLD "One Bad Burb" Photobucket Album
1986 C30 Crewcab - 63K original miles, original paint


Members I have met: mikey531, gcburdic, bashed, burbman69, TonyPieras, Blazester, GCncsuHD, custombuilt67-72, tsnow678, highrpm, PanelDeland, tanman722001, 47thriftmaster, babyblueoval, 68stepbed, JesseWebb, Andy4639, xs-style, TobyArnot, BigOrange, frednoah, brn_agn, k5hart, Graham57a, bhelton, AJohn6, SilverC10, 69CST, '71 Flame, RaceAGMC, Liz, Josh, MattPSU, 68corvair, Chevy350V8, mdeal, ccrorymc, mrhurt73, dmxxpert, Custom68, 84GMC, BionicABs1, BigBlockBurris, Ebfabman, ATP...
jeffg1010 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 05:50 PM   #19
chris mc bride
Registered User
 
chris mc bride's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: greensboro nc
Posts: 673
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Im installing a complete system out of our 98 astro van. Im using the rear air also. So far its been pretty simple. I have to get a set of lines to run to the rear since my 69 panel is good bit longer than a astro van. Ill try to post few pics once I finish install.
chris mc bride is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 10:52 PM   #20
jeffg1010
Registered User
 
jeffg1010's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Mooresville, NC
Posts: 2,675
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Man, you are pretty close to me. We gotta get all of the NC Burb's and Panels together sometime.


Quote:
Originally Posted by chris mc bride View Post
Im installing a complete system out of our 98 astro van. Im using the rear air also. So far its been pretty simple. I have to get a set of lines to run to the rear since my 69 panel is good bit longer than a astro van. Ill try to post few pics once I finish install.
__________________
Jeff
1972 Blazer CST 2wd- My son Sam's Project "S" Project "S"
1970 Suburban - SOLD "One Bad Burb" Photobucket Album
1986 C30 Crewcab - 63K original miles, original paint


Members I have met: mikey531, gcburdic, bashed, burbman69, TonyPieras, Blazester, GCncsuHD, custombuilt67-72, tsnow678, highrpm, PanelDeland, tanman722001, 47thriftmaster, babyblueoval, 68stepbed, JesseWebb, Andy4639, xs-style, TobyArnot, BigOrange, frednoah, brn_agn, k5hart, Graham57a, bhelton, AJohn6, SilverC10, 69CST, '71 Flame, RaceAGMC, Liz, Josh, MattPSU, 68corvair, Chevy350V8, mdeal, ccrorymc, mrhurt73, dmxxpert, Custom68, 84GMC, BionicABs1, BigBlockBurris, Ebfabman, ATP...
jeffg1010 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2011, 11:40 PM   #21
jbclassix
Junk Yartist
 
jbclassix's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Greeley, CO
Posts: 2,203
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffg1010 View Post
Man, you are pretty close to me. We gotta get all of the NC Burb's and Panels together sometime.
... and take pictures! A line-up of burbs!
__________________
-Jeremy

YOU ONLY FAIL IF YOU STOP TRYING

70 Crew Cab Build Link

70 GMC Suburban 4X4 build thread

95 Yukon Daily Driver

Rebuilding an NP205
jbclassix is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 04-25-2011, 04:08 PM   #22
38chevyhotrod
Registered User
 
38chevyhotrod's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Netherlands
Posts: 191
Re: aftermarket airconditioning

Ok, i installed the vintage air unit with success.
I have the gen IV unit, only one thing i like to know.
i use the 3 knop panel an not my standard controls.
when i want to turn on the fan, it starts at rather high rpm.
That is the slowest speed i can do, it is not really fast but in my opinion to fast for the slowest speed.

does anyone have the gen IV installed who can tell me ho his fan works.
__________________
Anybody can restore a classic, takes a man to cut one up.....

http://www.arnoldscustoms.com
38chevyhotrod is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright 1997-2022 67-72chevytrucks.com