vintage air question

[68bbc/20]

looking to order a complete system and wanted to hear some suggestions or ideas as how your installation went. would the upgrade on the dash controls be worth the extra money or was the regular control kit easy to install on the back of the original slide controls, how everything fit or any modifications you ended up doing, etc. thanks for your help!

[old51sedan]

Originally Posted by 68bbc/20

looking to order a complete system and wanted to hear some suggestions or ideas as how your installation went. would the upgrade on the dash controls be worth the extra money or was the regular control kit easy to install on the back of the original slide controls, how everything fit or any modifications you ended up doing, etc. thanks for your help!

I'm just finishing mine up right now. Vintage Air comes with a very detailed set of instructions. So far I have been happy with them. My system is all in, I have everything done with the exception of running hot wire under the dash. I plan on getting the truck running as it has a rebuilt motor and a rebuilt 200-4R in it. want to make sure all that is good to go first. The controls were the first thing I did and were pretty simple. You have to drill a hole in the core support, best if done with battery box removed. I also need to charge the system, all after it's running with exhaust and etc.

[lux]

Modifying the original slide control was easy. In my opinion the original control looks way better than the modern one.

[68bbc/20]

thanks, looking at the instructions the control mods looked like a lot of bending and altering that could go wrong if you a not careful and precise. anyone else want to throw their opinion in is welcome and appreciated!

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by lux

Modifying the original slide control was easy. In my opinion the original control looks way better than the modern one.

I agree that the original controls are better looking!

Also, I understand the VA retrofit of them renders the fan switch inoperable. The fan is controlled instead by one of the horizontal sliders....

Just FYI in case that's a deal breaker for you.

-klb

[RMBLFSH]

Installed mine 4 or 5 years ago.
Straight forward instructions.
I modded the original controls no problem, and I don't consider myself super skilled.
System works great, very happy.

[External]

Did you have to crimp your hoses? If so what did you use?

[lux]

Wow, from the photos looks like they send out premade hoses. Mine didn't come like that.

[lux]

I had good luck with their customer service. Luckily for me they are just down the road in San Antonio. I bought the wrong bracket and went there for an exchange. Nice folks.

[GMC72BB]

I just finished installing a VA in my 72, couple things, I did use the brown original wire for switched positive circuit, there is a red wire from the VA that goes to the battery, with a circuit breaker inline. You could hook to the switched circuit on a aftermarket wiring block. Don’t confuse the violet color wire in the VA circuit , to the violet wire from the harness, the violet wire in the new VA is for a wide open throttle switch. as that is not used , chances are. if you use the original controller. The original switch controller conversion isn’t hard , just be sure to follow the directions on setting the levers. You have to program it, once done. That is done via a supplied jumper wire. Again not hard just read instructions twice ( for me anyway) before you do the programming . It doesnt use the original fan switch, but it is still there so looks original. This is the second one I have installed ( last one in 69 camaro) with this one, the minute I hooked up the wires, it turned on, never had that happen, but once the jumper program wire was hooked up, it stopped the fan running. It says some time you have to repeat the programming process. Mine programmed the first time. I haven’t charged the system yet, but I did the last one myself, will this time too.these new VA systems on the wiring is basically plug/ play, the relay, circuit breaker etc is already wired, just run the wires and plug into the system, have to hook up 2 grounds( white wires) Be glad to answer any other question if I can.

[GMC72BB]

I missed that ur AAW , AC wire was brown, you should have an additional Switched, unused circuit to use for the violet wire, I have added a Painless sub-panel until I change out all of the the wiring , to run, stereo amp, and my exhaust cut outs. So I had a circuit there. I did run the main red wire on the VA straight out to the battery. I have upgraded my Alternator already to a Powermaster since I knew the VA, stereo, amp, etc would require it

[Bobbysgmc]

I put VA in my 70 GMC last year.Install was pretty easy,I kept original heater control.My only dislike is the fan is under the glove box and to my ears is noisy.I wish it could have been mounted out of cab.