Vintage Air - Buyer Beware

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MOTOV8R said:
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.
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I would like to see a thread on this as wel.

I was visiting with someone who has installed number of the vintage air units into ;
FJ 40s and he Told me that the knobs have been an issue but the fans have run fine. I will continue with my plan to purchase a unit for our build.

Doc
 
I am a dealer for Vintage air. I have one in my street rod that goes back to 2000. I have excellent results with that unit. I have installed a bunch of units in various cruisers and have not had a complaint. I am not saying anything is foolproof, but my experiences do not seem the same as what I have read on this thread. All that being said, I think it is fair that Vintage Air has a chance to know these feelings from their customers. As such, I have forwarded the link to this thread to Vintage Air.

PS. I don't have one in my FJ40 for the reasons stated by others. Of course, I live in SW Colorado and I don't have AC in my house either....

Don
 
My '78 is my DD, and while I may not need it for 7 out of the 12 months, nonetheless, when I invest the amount of money to have one installed, I expect it to work.

Sharp38, you're right Vintage Air deserves to hear about this but believe me, they have from the shop who has installed it and yet the response is less than appropriate. I've heard they may be sourcing their parts from China or elsewhere so I obviously "got what I paid for".

I will never endorse Vintage Air after my and my sons experience. I'm just trying to get them to work and wanted others to be aware of our experience.
 
I installed my vintage unit in '02 or '03 and sold the cruiser since then so I'm going from memory. I used the stock heater valve and switch pull instead of the vacuum actuated valve that comes with the kit. In the pic, this was the WARM pull knob that was attached to the stock heater valve. I hooked up the compressor to the fan pull knob on the dash, so if it's out the a/c compressor was on. This is helpful because without outside air you can use the compressor anytime to help dry the air in the cabin. I'm drawing a bit of blank on what I used the PULL knob for. I think it was defrost vs heat. The knob on the upper right with the V turned sideways was to open close the vent position (main four vents that come out of the ac unit). This is the normal A/C position. Hope that helps.
IMG_1849.webp
 
ra81 said:
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".
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RA81. I have forwarded your issue to Vintage Air. The National Sales Manager, George Packard, would like to talk with you about solving your issues. You can call him at 800 862-6658 Ext 110.

Don
 
George from Vintage Air sent me the following email yesterday.

Don

"Thanks Don
Sometimes customers don’t really believe that the manufacturer wants to be helpful.
They think we are only interested in that 1 sale, but the reality is if our focus is on satisfied customers each sale puts us toward the next customer.
I can only assist a customer that will take the time to contact me.
I hope to hear from this customer soon so I can try to address his issues.
Regards
George

George Packard
Vintage Air, Inc.
National Sales Manager
1-800-862-6658 Ext 110
210-296-2310 (Direct)"
 
For what it's worth, a local guy here in Jacksonville has been in business since the 30's, and doing aftermarket AC since the 50's..5th generation at this point. (Caitlin's). I have been doing a ton of research, and spent a good part of this morning with them talking about this subject.

They showed me an install they are doing now, and they SWEAR by Vintage Air..they would put in anything I wanted, but they wanted to do Vintage...they are finishing up a GTO right now and invited me back to see the finished product when they were done. I have no skins in this game at all, but these guys know what they are doing, and many of us in the hood have used them for bed liners etc over the years. They will do my AC when I get to it later this year.

D
 
maybe the quality is better in the Muscle car applications??
when i was doing the kit for the HZJ40 i visited the dealer outside Barrie, friendly old fart, very knowledgeable, very helpful.
if i would have had that kind of service when i phoned the states i might have a different view but as it sits now, i won't recommend a 40 series kit to anyone.

what Vintage needs to do is rework the bugs out of the system for the 40 series for future sales. improved overall quality will result in positive feedback.
 
I think Vintage Air makes awesome compressor brackets, and its great that they work to offer a/c in cars that didn't offer this option to begin with, but it would have been be nice for George in this case to go ahead and call the customer in this matter just at least to look good to us in this forum.
 
This is the unit that TLC uses in the ICON. At that price point and with the clientele that can afford their product, I can't imagine that they're using crappy parts.

db
 
a77fj40 said:
This is the unit that TLC uses in the ICON. At that price point and with the clientele that can afford their product, I can't imagine that they're using crappy parts.

db
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I could not save/download pictures to attach here but if you go to the website,
FJ | Gallery | In the wild | ICON, and browse the
"gallery" images for interior shots, you will find these units. Custom Aftermarket A/C Systems & Replacement Parts for Hot Rod, Classic, & Vintage Cars/Trucks - Universal HURRICANE Systems - Electronic Old Air



they illustrate respectively an FJ40, FJ43 and an FJ45, note heater/A/C assembly
 
67azcruizr said:
I could not save/download pictures to attach here but if you go to the website,
FJ | Gallery | In the wild | ICON, and browse the
"gallery" images for interior shots, you will find these units. Custom Aftermarket A/C Systems & Replacement Parts for Hot Rod, Classic, & Vintage Cars/Trucks - Universal HURRICANE Systems - Electronic Old Air



they illustrate respectively an FJ40, FJ43 and an FJ45, note heater/A/C assembly
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Its a hurricane unit indeed...

I installed one (Vintage Air) in my spring green 76. The in-cab fitment was an issue, and the brackets are a bit flimsy and it just didnt fit right. BUT, it works just fine... Nice cold air...

That being said, my next project will get the hurricane unit with the cool as hell in dash louvers...

Heres a pic...



:beer:
IMG_0418.webp
 
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Sharp38 said:
RA81. I have forwarded your issue to Vintage Air. The National Sales Manager, George Packard, would like to talk with you about solving your issues. You can call him at 800 862-6658 Ext 110.

Don
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Bottom line is I also E-mailed them, and they refused to read this thread, they refused to address the issues, they refused to comment on this BB, and they just wanted me to call in in order to make a sale.

I can post their responses to me if anyone is interested, but their comment that "I can only assist a customer that will take the time to contact me. I hope to hear from this customer soon so I can try to address his issues" is horse$h!t, as he was directed by me with a URL link to this BB and this thread.

I am also a member of other automotive sites, and parts and supply personel frequently respond to issues such as this.

Vintage air has not impressed me. Initially I was considering them as my supplier, but now I doubt I will ever use their product lines. Their approach and their attitude is just wrong.

Thanks for the heads up,

T
 
thecrazygreek said:
Its a hurricane unit indeed...

I installed one (Vintage Air) in my spring green 76. The in-cab fitment was an issue, and the brackets are a bit flimsy and it just didnt fit right. BUT, it works just fine... Nice cold air...

That being said, my next project will get the hurricane unit with the cool as hell in dash louvers...

Heres a pic...



:beer:
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hurricane system mounted in the middle with firewall recessed about 2"s.
ac unit old air.webp
 
Another review from an actual consumer of both Vintage Air and Old air systems (although not FJ40 application):

Vintage Air: Purchased a "sure fit" r134 system for a 62 Chevy pickup. Install instructions are amateurish. Compressor mounting system worked well. Heater/evaporator package inside fit was not so sure. Connections to the engine were supposed to go through an existing firewall opening. Not quite, I had to cut a notch in the opening. Had to notch their supplied escutcheon plate to clear the fender well too. In my opinion the capacity of the system's condenser is under engineered. It has never made satisfactory vent temps in ten years of daily driving and tweaking of the charge. Granted I'm in the furnace of Phoenix, but cold r134 is possible when engineered correctly. Support was okay, but somewhat lame. When inquiring about recommend pressures the phone tech was stumped when I told him my ambient temp at the condenser was 125f in the shade. "my chart doesn't go that high". Component quality is good in the engine compartment. Interior components, not so much. Cheap looking mass produced plastic vents. Of course you can upgrade to billet aluminum stuff. Hoses don't attach well or stay attached. Dehumidified defrost has never been too good. I think due to the interior doors not closing properly with the cable controls. Over the years of running it daily in the summers, the load from the fan managed to cook the stock Chevy fan switch 3 times and eventually the wiring. 40+ old wiring is partly at fault, but they sell you the system that is supposed to utilize existing stuff. My final solution to the cooked switches was to replace the wiring to the fan with a larger gauge.

Old Air: After my experience with Vintage Air I tried Old Air on my next project, a 66 Mustang. Install instructions were just as cheesy. Under hood components were good. Although I did have to modify the bracket for the compressor. Interior package fit was good. Vent and hose quality was same the same Fischer Price feel as Vintage. Cooling capacity on this one is better, but still not as good as it could be. In my opinion if your going to offer r134 systems for old cars with limited core support openings for moving air, then a double pass condenser should be mandatory. Not the case for either company at the time (several years ago). Maybe they're smarter now? Defrost is better in this system. It does have an occasional mildew issue. I think that's due to the condensate drain that doesn't completely drain.

Between the two, Old Air wins, but it's the lesser of two evils. I'd like a better choice.:meh:
 
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