New guy w/ pictures & questions

[ianjenkins]

Hello,

I’ve been lurking around this board for a while now but this is my first post with pictures.

I traded the truck for an old 14' jon boat ($600.00). The original owner replaced the stock 350 with a buick 350 & buick 350 trans (Duh!). It works out well because my restification plans include a new / more powerful motor.

Anyway, the body won't require a ton of work (door skins, rad support, PS front fender, bed kit) and the interior is still 100% intact (even has the original AM Radio & owners manual. I'm not removing the cab only lifting it slightly to replace the body mounts and to paint the frame & undercarriage. I’ll be installing all new suspension & front end (3/5 drop). So far, I’ve budgeted this project at 15K (I’m keeping my fingers crossed). Would you guys be so kind to answer just a few questions for me?

1) I need to pull the old AC box from the firewall (I plan to install vintage AC product). How should I cover up the hole on the firewall after the old ugly box is removed? Does anyone have pictures of fabrication work that has been done for cover up.
2) I need to clean the frame of all oil & grease before treating with POR-15. Sandblasting is an option but I’d prefer to avoid building a tent in the garage v& creating a mess. Any suggestions?
3) The bed is in poor shape. I had to grind out the bolts connecting the bed to the frame. I’m sure removing the wood planks from the bed itself will be just as labor intensive. Any suggestions for the process of removing bolts or should I just forget it and start grinding away?

That’s it for now but I’m sure many questions will come up in the future. Thanks.

[ianjenkins]

side view

[ianjenkins]

firewall

[ianjenkins]

interior

[ddsmith]

I vote for running your aftermarket air to your original ducts. I know this is can be done on some aftermarket units. It can probably be done on all of them. Then at least the inside the truck will appear stock from a casual obsevation.

[ianjenkins]

I'm not extremely concerned with maintaining a stock appearance. However, the vintage AC units install under the dash and are normally not visible.

[Davy]

Welcome to the board.

I could be wrong, but I thought the A/C kit from Vintage Air came with a cover plate for the firewall.

Someone here will know for sure.

Davy

[Old Chevy]

Vintage Air provide a large cover plate with a seal plate for the A/C and heater plumbing, and supply a round disc type plate to cover the blower motor hole. You can sort of see the plates in the attached pic.

Cheers

Richard

[ianjenkins]

Thanks,

I went to the Vintage Air website and checked out the cover plate. It seems like a good system.

Thanks again for the info.

[trinic]

I've got a few pictures at my site of the Vintage air...

Pictures

[Davy]

ianjenkins,

I'm assuming from your original post that you have a factory A/C cab. (you mentioned old A/C box) Later in the post you mentioned that Vintage Air mounts under the dash. Are you talking about the vents or the other components? I looked at Vintage Air...you should be able to get the kit for the A/C cab and use existing vent holes...much cleaner look and stock to the casual observer.

Just a thought.

Davy

[Davy]

sorry ddsmith,

just noticed that you beat me to it.

Davy

[ianjenkins]

trinic,

Nice Truck! I like the color and the stance. Did you lower the truck and if so, how much?

The vintage AC looks nice and appears to be a fairly clean install. I understand the heater blower is replaced as well. How does this perform when compared to the factory heater system?

Thanks,
Ian

[trinic]

I purchased the truck with the drop. I believe it's 2/4 drop....

Would'nt know how it compares to the factory heat, since the truck had it installed when purchased. The times I've used it, it's heated pretty good. I get enough heat from my headers, so when I use the heater it'll get pretty warm.

Thx,
T.C.