Vintage Air Install
- Thread starter Monte4ever
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The only thing about the kit I'm not a huge fan about is the controls. It's clean and neat, but it doesn't quite match the interior and what you expect in a G body. I am a nitpicker for having stuff 'look' factory or at least OEM correct~ish so I'm hard to please in that regard.
Under hood looks nice and factory/blends in, but the 3 dials kinda stand out. Not in a gaudy way, but I think a slider control would be nice. To me it seems like a good fit for a Jeep, but seems slightly off.
Dad ran into the same issue with his IH pickup 15 years ago. The vintage air controls are good universal controls and work but don't maintain that factory feel. He ended up tossing the whole mount bezel they supplied and built a new plate for the dash, kinda similar to what the arizonaGN kit did.
I bet if you were sly you could source some potentiometers with specs equal to the vintage air stuff to adapt the stock G body hvac controls over to the potentiometer system vintage air uses.
Again, I really like that setup and am a fan. In 10 years when G bodies become higher dollar resto cars and all the hvac boxes are missing since people took them out 15 years earlier and tossed them because they were 'ugly' and 'real men don't need ac' that kit should really come in big.
Under hood looks nice and factory/blends in, but the 3 dials kinda stand out. Not in a gaudy way, but I think a slider control would be nice. To me it seems like a good fit for a Jeep, but seems slightly off.
Dad ran into the same issue with his IH pickup 15 years ago. The vintage air controls are good universal controls and work but don't maintain that factory feel. He ended up tossing the whole mount bezel they supplied and built a new plate for the dash, kinda similar to what the arizonaGN kit did.
I bet if you were sly you could source some potentiometers with specs equal to the vintage air stuff to adapt the stock G body hvac controls over to the potentiometer system vintage air uses.
Again, I really like that setup and am a fan. In 10 years when G bodies become higher dollar resto cars and all the hvac boxes are missing since people took them out 15 years earlier and tossed them because they were 'ugly' and 'real men don't need ac' that kit should really come in big.
It's your show, Chris. I won't bother anyone again...😕
It's always nice when someone joins us and tells us about his or her ride. I feel it's part of being a good standing member.,,but, what do I know? I'm just another shlub on the forum.
Nothing like that, just this "intro" thing keeps coming up. Its the internet, not AA. Nobody should feel like they're required to write their life story just to be a part of this site for any length of time.
Carry on.
I see what you're saying on the controls. Research a little deeper. I think Vintage Air can adapt their units to run off stock slider controls. Or, maybe it's Classic Auto Air or one of the other aftermarket AC companies. I know I saw someone who does. In my case I was able to utilize the stock ashtray opening to mount an optional vertical controller.
I put a VA Generation II system in my Cougar back in the early 2000's. It was the first time I ever worked with any kind of AC components. At that time they didn't have what they call their "Sure-Fit" kit to fit that car and I was recommended to use their largest Gen II unit. Now they have Generation IV units although I don't know what's different now. Mine works tremendously and I'm so glad I switched over to it even though the car originally came with factory air. The only issue I had was space. I think I could have gotten away with the unit that was the next size down. This one, while it fits behind the dash, took up a ton of space. I lost the use of my glovebox. The smaller unit would have been easier to install simple because it is smaller. I believe the performance would have been adequate.
But I chalk it all up to the "price of coolness."
I put a VA Generation II system in my Cougar back in the early 2000's. It was the first time I ever worked with any kind of AC components. At that time they didn't have what they call their "Sure-Fit" kit to fit that car and I was recommended to use their largest Gen II unit. Now they have Generation IV units although I don't know what's different now. Mine works tremendously and I'm so glad I switched over to it even though the car originally came with factory air. The only issue I had was space. I think I could have gotten away with the unit that was the next size down. This one, while it fits behind the dash, took up a ton of space. I lost the use of my glovebox. The smaller unit would have been easier to install simple because it is smaller. I believe the performance would have been adequate.
But I chalk it all up to the "price of coolness."
Chris,Nothing like that, just this "intro" thing keeps coming up. Its the internet, not AA. Nobody should feel like they're required to write their life story just to be a part of this site for any length of time.
I know it's not mandatory, but I feel it's a common courtesy when joining any forum...or at least any forum that you plan on sticking around for awhile. Perhaps, it's just my way of thinking. I guess that's just me. I know other members don't agree with me.. We have our own opinions, don't we? 😊,,,and again, you're the chief.
That's a nice clean setup. Mark. Nicely done, sir. Your Cougar is a gem, btw.
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I'm in because I'll be doing this soon hopefully. Looking good so far!
That's Mr. Forum Shlub of the Month!
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