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10-02-2013, 12:12 AM
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#1 |
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Registered User
 Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: santa barbara, ca
Posts: 829
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68 non a/c to A/C
well fellas, recently i converted "caroline" no a/c dash to A/C for a number of reasons. 1: the PO had cut out the radio holes in order to install a new radio.
2: i found a good/cheap a/c dash 3: i want the option of having a/c 4: i had a killer am/fm radio i wanted to install the question i have now is that i have researched the steps to convert the firewall in order to accept the original type A/C condensor box. Of all the post only one mentioned that there was no need to cut the fire wall at all!!! This individual has done a number of them without cutting the firewall at all... has anyone done it this way...i mean, why cut it for the sake f cutting if it doesn't make much difference and its hidden. please let me know your thoughts. and btw going with aftermarket is not an option. I want factory original... thank you
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72 Cheyenne super swb 4x4 68 CST swb anniversary gold 67 custom swb 4x4 |
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10-02-2013, 12:38 AM
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#2 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: santa barbara, ca
Posts: 829
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
heres the new dash installed...
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72 Cheyenne super swb 4x4 68 CST swb anniversary gold 67 custom swb 4x4 |
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10-02-2013, 04:50 PM
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#3 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 504
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Here's a bump for you! This also interests me in knowing how to do a non-ac to ac factory conversion.
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10-02-2013, 06:01 PM
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#4 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 475
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
The A/C parts will bolt up to the firewall without you doing any cutting, but about half of the opening for air to flow from the blower through the evaporator will be blocked by sheet metal, and I imagine you'll be very disappointed in the A/C performance. IMO, it's absolutely not worth going to all the trouble of doing the conversion without cutting the correct opening in the firewall.
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1971 C10 Longbed, 350/TH350 |
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10-02-2013, 06:41 PM
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#5 |
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member #16
 
Join Date: Dec 1999
Location: Yuba City Ca.
Posts: 3,618
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Holes don't match very good.
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john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors  http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/ |
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10-02-2013, 07:11 PM
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#6 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 6,421
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
I don't know a whole lot but I would it just be better to get a factory AC truck cab and go from there?
There is an aftermarket kit for AC right? |
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10-02-2013, 07:35 PM
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#7 |
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Active Member
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area.
Posts: 7,947
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Actually, since the truck is not stock anymore why not go with aftermarket A/C? You will have the later compressors plus everything needed to do the conversion.
Getting a complete cab to have A/C would be okay if you could get it cheap or if the cab was in good shape, but if it's like around my area, a good cab is hard to find.
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68 GMC 250/3 speed Saginaw p/b p/s 69 Chevy 350/350 currently in pieces still lookin for a cab 06 Trailblazer I just want a vehicle that I can work on, that won't talk to me, leave error msgs or keep track of how I drive... |
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10-02-2013, 07:38 PM
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#8 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Smyrna, Georgia
Posts: 13
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Just modify the mounting bracket for the ac box so that it'll fit in the original holes in the fire wall. That way no cutting will have to be done and yet you'll have ac too.
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Anyone can fly a plane, but only some can pilot a plane. |
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10-02-2013, 07:56 PM
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#9 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Redmond, WA
Posts: 6,332
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Unless you've stayed stock with everything else (ie: no chrome air-cleaners, etc) I'd use aftermarket AC. But if you're stock down to the factory hose clamps, then factory AC is the way to go. But it's not a simple system, and the compressor weighs about as much as a third big-block cylinder head!
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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 |
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10-02-2013, 08:17 PM
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#10 |
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Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Gainesville, TEXAS
Posts: 658
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Find an a/c cab make a template of the pass through holes cut em out fill in what you have to and get-r-done.
You don't want to restrict the air flow. And my question is why would you want an aftermarket a/c clogging up the area under/behind the dash. Keep the evaporator outside on the firewall and all the condensation will stay outside. Go to the pancake style a/c compressor, smaller, less horsepower robbing and works better with R134A
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1972 Chevrolet Cheyenne LB 1/2 ton finished restoration/rebuild 1995 350 throttle body FI, 4L6E (running on modified GM wiring harness) 3.08 posi rearend, factory A/C on 134A, p/s, p/b, late 70's power windows and locks and cruise, speakers in the dash + 6x9's behind the seat, factory tilt, 40 gallon fuel tank in the bed with integrated tool box, air assist bags on the rearend, sway bar up front and much more. 1972 chevrolet SNB finished 2002, 350 TB FI, TH400, factory A/C, p/b, p/s, (FOR SALE) 1969 Chevrolet 1 ton in work, home made PTO dump bed extended frame, 350 CI , 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton suburban future project 1972 Chevrolet 3/4 ton p/u maybe a project one day 1966 Toyota Landcruiser my playtoy |
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10-02-2013, 08:37 PM
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#11 |
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: santa barbara, ca
Posts: 829
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Re: 68 non a/c to A/C
Love it. Great ideas by everyone.
Posted via Mobile Device
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