Vintage Air - Buyer Beware

[ra81]

After much searching on the forum and other sites, several months back I ended up having a Vintage Air system installed in my '78 FJ40 as well as in my sons '76 FJ55. The shop who has done the work is top-notch, the quality of the Vintage Air system is not.

The pig got the first unit. Before it even left the shop, the fan control switch had to be replaced either two or three times. You can't run the temp much beyond the lower 1/3 of the setting without the unit freezing and blowing hot air. Six months post install and still having problems. Nothing but weak explanations from the manufactuer and an unwillingness to accept much responsibility.

The unit in the '40 ran great initially though had the same issue with the fan switch before it left the shop. Now back to the shop and awaiting a micro switch. Manufacuturer still unwilling and apparently uncaring as to the issues or the cause.

As mentioned, I previously found positive feedback on Vintage Air, but with my experience - "Caveat Emptor".

 

[3jvj]

Sorry to hear this. I had planed on a unit for my 55.

Please keep us updated. Thanks.

 

[TOBASH]

Wow, shame, sorry to hear.

I too was thinking about their system, but now... maybe not.

 

[Dbradford04]

Hmmm..i too was headed this direction...anyone else want to chime in? Anyone have anything to say about the CCOT setup?

 

[crushers]

you never read my review of the Vintage air crap ... now did yah?

cheap box
cheap fan
cheap electrics
piss poor design

pass.

 

[TOBASH]

you never read my review of the Vintage air crap ... now did yah?

cheap box
cheap fan
cheap electrics
piss poor design

pass.

So who do you recommend?

You have not sent me to the wrong place yet.

Best,

T

 

[crushers]

now, i am not sure if you are being sarcastic or serious

i have no idea where to go.

the price was attractive
the recommendations were good in the hotrod forums

but

then reality set in.

 

[TOBASH]

now, i am not sure if you are being sarcastic or serious

I was being serious friend.

Best,

T

 

[ra81]

Unfortunately I may have missed your review "Crushers". In general, the different reviews were OK. The info I could find on the CCOT system pointed to frozen knees for the passenger and not much else. Hopefully this will all work out but I simply can't suggest Vintage Air to anyone.

 

[Pistorman]

I'd go to Old Air whom make the CCOT setup. CCOT's has a more FJ40 looking fascia meaning that the controls are apart from the blower unit, a very similar looking model with the controls (knobs and switches) on the blower unit is being sold by Old Air.

 

[Michael Hanson]

I also found the switches too be too weak and upgraded, I found the case itself to be flimsy. The old York systems are very good, their weakness was their hose fittings. These can be easily replaced with modern fittings. MIke

 

[landcruiser_nut]

I've had mine for several years now with zero probs. several long trips (200+ miles) and it blew cold the whole time. Maybe I just got lucky.

 

[lcwizard]

hey, it's now all made in China, and it's our fault every time we buy something because it's cheaper. America has developed a Walmart mentality and now we're paying for it.

 

[Slowerthanu]

Shame on any of you trying to shove A/C in an FJ40, silly idea.

Vintage Air quality has dropped and LCWizard is stating exactly why.

 

[MOTOV8R]

I did away with all of the micro switches in mine right from the start. It didn't give me enough control over where I wanted the air to go and when the compressor would kick on. Also didn't like that the heater valve was all or nothing. I integrated the factory switches, dash pull, and heater valve. Didn't have any problems with the rest of the system.

 

[jmdaniel]

I put off installing one this summer, and probably never will. It's not my DD, and I don't want to bother with putting something in that doesn't work, or works only when you replace half the stuff on it.

 

[TCSTARK]

I also found the switches too be too weak and upgraded, I found the case itself to be flimsy. The old York systems are very good, their weakness was their hose fittings. These can be easily replaced with modern fittings. MIke

I did away with all of the micro switches in mine right from the start. It didn't give me enough control over where I wanted the air to go and when the compressor would kick on. Also didn't like that the heater valve was all or nothing. I integrated the factory switches, dash pull, and heater valve. Didn't have any problems with the rest of the system.

Do you have a thread on this topic? I would be very interested in more details... Part numbers and pictures would be great!

 

[gisham]

jmdanial,

if your not going to install it and want to sell it shoot me a pm-

 

[centerlineseal]

I have a Vintage Air system in my '75, installed by the P.O. Took us a while to shake it out and find what kept it from working correctly (minor switch problems, etc.), but it is now operational.

However, why in the hell one would want one in a '40 is beyond me. Cooling down a steel box when its 100 degrees out is basically a futile endeavor. I have only used it successfully on a very long freeway trip, over 100 miles. Got comfortable about 50 miles in.

I pretty much run with the windows down and vents open, despite the heat. P.O. installed sunroof helps some with airflow, but sunlight thru that roof glass gets pretty damn hot. Wish I had the older doors with wing windows, like in my old (now son's) '72.

No real comfortable solutions, 'cause its a '40.

Do what you gotta' do and Thank God fall is comin'.

 

[jmdaniel]

jmdanial,

if your not going to install it and want to sell it shoot me a pm-

Sorry, but when I said I "put off installing one this summer", that included the first step, buying one. They announced this morning that the average temp in Texas, June through August, was the hottest 3 months ever recorded, ever in the US. If I can live through that, I don't need AC in the 40.