Originally Posted by Critter (Post 4365836)

I reread this post and felt the need to comment. I have talked to a lot of professional automotive A/C guys, particularly Carlisle Air here in San Antonio. Carlisle has promised me that if I let them choose the parts they can make my factory setup colder than any of the after market kits. They achieve this by knowing exactly which crossflow condenser, POA Valve (or orifice tube etc), amount of refrigerant, etc to use. The other key is using an updated compressor such as a Sanden (their opinion). So it wouldn't be completely stock but the firewall and everything inside the cab would look that way. I have seen a couple 67-72 trucks they updated in this way and they were COLD especially for here in South Texas. As a side note the owner of Carlisle air is old freinds with the owner of Vintage Air which is located here in town.

Also the hangup I have with the aftermarket kits is that they are 100% recirculated air, you don't have a choice. This isn't a big problem for a/c but it makes the heat real stuffy and uncomfortable in my opinion. The stock heater set up is 100% outside air. In my part of the world we use both a/c and heat in different times of the year. Summers are 100 degrees and winters can be down in the 20s. The way I see it is the aftermarket kits are awesome if you are dealing with a non-a/c truck, but if you originally had a/c you might be better off keeping a stock style system the key is to matching up all the old and new components to work together. Anyway, those are just some of my thoughts, I plan to update my original system in the way I mentioned above.

48Richard you did a wonderful job at converting yours! Great inspiration for all of us. :clap:

Originally Posted by cparman (Post 3754339)

here are some pics of my truck. The kit from Classic Auto Air is very complete, and also comes with templates for cutting a non A/C dash to accept the factory center vent, and the factory side vents. I chose to use their side vents, and a factory center. Their kit says that you cannot have an in dash speaker. i bought a " kit " from Brothers that is designed to improve air flow over the factory center vent. It also makes room for an in dash speaker ( just a benefit ) Brothers part # CVUG072

Originally Posted by 48richard (Post 4133642)

Quick update on performance - I drove the truck from the LA area to Phoenix yesterday, and most of the way was 105 to110 degrees. I was comfortable, but only just, using outside air. I am going to tint the side and back windows, because the back of my neck was getting fried by the afternoon sun; also I've got to work on engine cooling - I didn't change the radiator from the original, and the temp gauge was at the top of the normal range all the way over. I think I would have been in trouble if it had been any hotter.

Originally Posted by 67Slider (Post 4514546)

cparman,

I was looking at the classic parts kit. Did you have to replace your glovebox? I have my stero in there and was wondering if I would need to find a different place for it if I went with this kit.

Originally Posted by 48richard (Post 4363414)

For coop34,

Aaron,

Here are some pics of the air recirculation valves as I installed them. All the hole locations for the brackets, etc. were marked on my truck with dimples in the metal, so easy enough to do it right.
Hope this helps,

Richard