Factory Air

[akcowboy]

How rare exactly was factory air conditioning? Everyone on Ebay seems to think they have the only truck with it.

[akcowboy]

Don't really need the AC in Ak, just nice sometimes. Any idea on how spendy it is to have a shop install it? mabye just easier to do it myself?

[bluef250]

Somehow I've got the impression that AC was not a factory option. All AC units were installed after trucks left the factory. Please correct me if I'm wrong. The dealer installed units are the closest to "factory" as Ford had an available kit including the dash controls for installation. Many other vendors also provided kits. These components did not include the in dash controls.

[FORDification]

A/C was indeed a factory option. The A/C setups with the in-dash controls were not a kit, those were factory-installed units. Any A/C setup that doesn't use the in-dash controls were dealer-installed add-ons.

I don't know about them being rare, per se....I'd guess (and I could be wrong) that maybe 10%-15% had factory air.

[akcowboy]

That's still not too many. Espicially (sp) with how many survived the last 30 years. Do you think most went to the Sunbelt? Mabye get lucky and find one w/o rust

[mytmatt]

I don't know about how many went to the sun belt, but I notice these trucks all the time here in West Texas. The climate here is kind to the bodies, though rough on interiors. I see them all the time in peoples' yards, etc and there are still some on the road. I have a parts truck picked out and ready to buy...I'll know in a few days if I am getting my driver, then I'll worry about parts trucks.

Matt

[mercman1953]

Hey guys when my ex-wife was pregnent our 68 f250 was our only vehicle. She told me either put air in the truck or get her something with air in it. So I put a Vintage air aftermarket system in it and I loved it. It runs on r-134a and the unit replaced the heater core and it fit up under the dash . I built a underdash extension to hold the center vent and side vent. It also holds the controls. You guys really should look at this as an alternative. The shop I work at is a vintage air dealer and I am one of the builders. If you use the right parts and have a truck that is sealed up good you should get duct temps down around 35-40. If anyone needs any info on this let me know.

[Bama Boy]

Hey Man, what was the price on that set up and are there any distributers in South Carolina?

[mercman1953]

Hey You are going to have about $1100 in parts with everything being new. Vintage Air has distributors all over the country. The best thing to do is call them and ask them for a catalog. My shop is a dealer if you need anything. I would be happy to help you with any questions you have just send me a message to my inbox.

[71Ford]

I have a factory/dealer (says Ford on it) A/C .....I spent over $600 last year trying to get it to cool...but mine doesn't seem to be too cold...I bought a new:compressor,dryer, tried r134 ,r12....and I closed and sealed off the vents on the drivers and passenger sides with plastic so that no air would be coming in.....but it just does not seem to cool the cab....I see frost inside the vents, but maybe I need to tint my windows?

I guess I'm used to my Buicks ICE COLD A/C.....Buick set the bar too high I guess..

how much is parts and labor for Vintage Air? How far from San Angelo TX is your shop?

Thanks,
Shawn

[fordman]

maybe your condensor was clogged up from bugs or on the inside.

[mercman1953]

Shawn
I sent you a message back. I also thought of something else. Is you cab insulated pretty good and the seals around the doors and windows? I the frost on the inside of the vents maybe humid outside air that the a/c is working to remove from the air. The a/c system recirculates the air to cool it down. It can only do so much each time. If you keep getting warm humid air in the cab. the a/c is not as efficent.