Vintage Air Conditioning

[Ziffdaddy]

Okay....I forgot how freakin' hot it is in the Valley, so I'm going to have to order the Vintage Air system. I looked at the CCOT one, but it's way more expensive and only looks like it blows on the passenger, which is useless. Pay that much more to look closer to stock? Doesn't make sense, seeing as it never came in my 74' to begin with. So, as much as I love the stock look, I need the A/C to actually keep my junk from melting into the seat. Lovely visual, huh? I just can't spend the summer going to auditions as a sweaty blob of crap, because that's just not sexy...like it should be.

The best price I've found the Vintage one for is $1050.....has anybody found it for less?

So, once I get it, I'll do an install thread in case anyone wants to see what's involved. Cool....(pun intended)

-Steve

 

[Volcano cruiser]

Here is mine

I just picked up a unit from Nostalgic Airparts. Here is a link to the unit that is sized for a 40 series. Toyota Fj-40
As you can see it is considerably cheaper that the Vintage Air unit and it is H/AC if that matters to you. There are close up pics of the unit in my build thread. Good luck.

 

[sparkplug]

pretty sure this is one. https://forum.ih8mud.com/sale-parts/217161-fj-bj40-factory-c-evaporator.html
Scroll down to post #9 or it is kinda confusing.

 

[TOBASH]

What amazes me is that this is almost part4part the same as A/C for 1974 Saab Sonett

What amazes me is that this is almost part4part the same as A/C for 1974 Saab Sonett. I am selling my 2 Saab Sonetts, and if I make an air box out of fiberglass I could probably swap it right in.

Saab was famous for using off the shelf parts. The condenser is the same, as are hoses, sensors, etc... I bet a York to Sanden adapter plate will fit in and allow the use of a rotary rather than a piston type pump, making the system colder, more fuel efficient, and easier to get parts for.

I almost think that if I ever get the kit, I will get everything but the pump and condenser, and cluge in an electric pump or a sanden 510 while using almost any off the shelf condenser. I almost wonder if this is easy to make off the shelf. The only semi-must have is the under the dash box w/switches.

Best,

T

 

[Ziffdaddy]

I just picked up a unit from Nostalgic Airparts. Here is a link to the unit that is sized for a 40 series. Toyota Fj-40
As you can see it is considerably cheaper that the Vintage Air unit and it is H/AC if that matters to you. There are close up pics of the unit in my build thread. Good luck.

Great! thanks for the link. I just read through your thread today, great rig. How do you like the fit of the AC system? Have you used it? If so, what do you think?

Lastly, will it interfere with my shifter? It looks like yours is bent like an 'S'. My shifter seems really far away from the current heater.

Again, really appreciate the link, you saved me $200.

-Steve

 

[67azcruizr]

Steve, not sure if this will interest you, but check this out;

"Old Air" Hurricane Universal (Electric Control System w/fitting specific (coolant line locations)

Available Online Products

Part Number Product Name+ Price Buy Now CAP-1100 AC System
Hurricane, Complete II, Upper Fittings, Elec, Defrost, Heater Valve $1,075.00 CAP-2100 AC System
Hurricane, Complete II, Side Fittings, Elec Defrost, Heater Valve $1,075.00 CAP-3100 AC System
Hurricane II, Complete, Lower Fittings, Elec Defrost, Heater Valve $1,075.00 IP-1100 AC Unit
Hurricane, Inside Pkg II, Upper Fittings, Elec, Defrost, Heater Valve $525.00 IP-2100 AC Unit
Hurricane, Inside Pkg II, Side Fittings, Elec Defrost, Heater Valve $525.00 IP-3100 AC Unit
Hurricane, Inside Pkg II, Lower Fittings, Elec Defrost, Heater Valve $525.00 Displaying 1 to 6 (of 6 products)Result Pages: 1

basically takes the place of your OEM heater. And yes it does include heating.

I think these are the units Jonathan Ward uses on his TLC's.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Very interesting, I'm going to swing by TLC on Monday and have look! Thanks for the info.

-steve

 

[mmw68]

I would be interested on how TLC installed the controls. Take a few snap shots if they let you.

Here is a picture from there site...You can't see details, but It looks like the same unit.

 

[67azcruizr]

I've got the unit with the electronic control panel and it measures about a 1/2" narrower than the ash tray slot.

being that I'm in the middle of painting my '64 that the unit will be installed into, I'm just going to fill 1/4" on either side before I paint.

I guess you could fab a small filler plate to mount between the control panel and the ash tray slot?

If you'd like me to dig out the control panel and set it up next to my dash for some pics let me know.

I'm also mounting mine in place of my OEM heater box. It's not that much bigger, and I personlly think it would look neater. Just my 2 cents though.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Is the unit a big square like the picture makes it look like? So you think you could put either on the right side like the TLC pic, or in the middle like you were saying? It does look good...I'll try to get some pics when I visit.

 

[Volcano cruiser]

Great! thanks for the link. I just read through your thread today, great rig. How do you like the fit of the AC system? Have you used it? If so, what do you think?

Lastly, will it interfere with my shifter? It looks like yours is bent like an 'S'. My shifter seems really far away from the current heater.

Again, really appreciate the link, you saved me $200.

-Steve

Steve,
Thanks about the rig I really hope that it comes through the process looking kick ass. No sweat on the link. As many times as fellow mudders have schooled me and saved my ass financially on here it is my pleasure to finally start returning the favor. As to the unit can't give you an eval as it is still in the box. Reading some other build threads it seemed that a lot of guys get hung up when parts failed to show when needed. So my plan is to get them all in and send the rig and parts to the restorer all at the same time thereby hopefully goosing the process along to a quicker conclusion. I actually don't expect problems with my shifter as it is in fact a certified "S". I tend to worry more about getting my knee out of the way when I have put her into reverse.
John

 

[shermantank55]

A/C things to consider

Just thought I'd let you know some issues with aftermarket A/C. I've got a 1972 FJ55 with a 1984 2F engine. I have a Vintage Air A/C and heater kit. I was very happy with the kit and the ease of installation, but ran into overheating and electrical issues. The condenser sitting in front of the radiator hogs a lot of air. I installed a puller electric fan which helps, but when you hit 100 degrees outside and need air the most, the engine is hot too. Also, the electrical draw on with an electric fan and the fan on the A/C unit have sucked all the power my OEM alternator can provide. I have just purchased a new 100 amp alternator and am going to install that, along with an aftermarket radiator.

 

[cruiser_guy]

Just thought I'd let you know some issues with aftermarket A/C. I've got a 1972 FJ55 with a 1984 2F engine. I have a Vintage Air A/C and heater kit. I was very happy with the kit and the ease of installation, but ran into overheating and electrical issues. The condenser sitting in front of the radiator hogs a lot of air. I installed a puller electric fan which helps, but when you hit 100 degrees outside and need air the most, the engine is hot too. Also, the electrical draw on with an electric fan and the fan on the A/C unit have sucked all the power my OEM alternator can provide. I have just purchased a new 100 amp alternator and am going to install that, along with an aftermarket radiator.

You'd probably find that the OEM non-A/C rad is a three core and the Toyota A/C rad is a 4 core, at least that was the case on my BJ60. My '60 and my '55 both have OEM A/C and both do just fine even here in Central America (both running 4 core rads and stock clutch fans). The only time I begin to have overheating issues is climbing hills in places like Arizona when it's 115F outside. Then I just kill the A/C till I crest the hill and all is fine.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

I though a little about that and will watch things. As of now, my truck's gauge goes to the first hash mark and never goes over, even going up the 5 in 100* heat or sitting in traffic for an hour in the same heat. So far, been lucky on cooling issues, so we'll see if that changes with AC. Thanks for the heads up, too!

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Just talked to the head mechanic at TLC and he wasn't sure how the AC compressor would hook up to the front of the engine on a 1F without figuring a bracket or new pulley set up. So, I called Nostalgic Air and their tech said it hooked right up with the big bracket that they include and the pulley reroutes with the rest of the stock pulley system that's already on the truck. No biggie.

Does that sound right? It just made me nervous when the head guy at TLC didn't know how to do it and one phone call tells me it's no big deal?! Is using the existing pulley system and just adding a bracket and compressor to it fine to do? Thanks guys.

-Steve

PS: they use a combo of Old Air and Vintage Air systems for their stuff. Didn't have any examples on hand to get pics of. i just want a system that does more than blow the passenger's knees.

 

[FJ40Jim]

I think the engine only has to be new enough to have the three alternator bracket mount holes on the pass. side of the cylinder head. Your '74 should be fine.

 

[Ziffdaddy]

Cool (literally!) Thanks Jim. Gonna get it ordered.

 

[TOBASH]

Just got E-mail reply about similar issue from company...

...They have a "Universal" mount that can be used to fabricate an engine mount in case you don't have a compatible engine (like my Diesel).

In other words, even if your screwed, you really aren't. You can rest easy.

Best,

T

 

[1Fine40]

Does anyone have some more detailed pictures of the Nostalgic Air install?? I'm particularly interested in the inside unit. Does it have floor vents for the heater? I know that there is an optional defrost set up. Would love it if someone would post a few pics of an installed unit for me...Thanks for the hi-jack

Cheers!

 

[CardinalFJ60]

any updates to the install?

...curious how this install is/was. If missed any updates, sorry 'bout that...nothing came up in my quick search.

The dehumidified defrost sounds like a great thing. Not that carrying a rag and a scraper in the winter for the inside is a big deal or anything.

Any issues? likes? dislikes?

Oh, and for one of the recent posts...here's link to the vintage lit. pdf. for info on where the heat goes.

http://www.vintageair.com/cat2007/47.pdf