Thoughts on Vintage Air kits?

[Venanzi85]

I am doing some research figured Id ask on here before i make this purchase what are your thoughts on Vintage Air? looking to purchase and install on my k5

 

[obijuank5]

Imo the air space in a k5 is asking alot of the kit. Your location is a big influence. It doesn't have recirculation mode if you need that.
It struggles on the crew cab and I'm in central Texas.
It's only as good as your insulation work.
Super easy install and I did mine myself but it took all damn day.

 

[KirsL]

Install is pretty straight forward but even in a standard cab it struggles a bit when really hot. Now I have zero insulation in m cab currently.

For either a k5 or suburban I’d would probably run dual units. At least for the a/c. That will give it a fighting chance in the dead of summer.

 

[6872xtc]

I removed Vintage air from my '70 truck after several years. I have a good amount of insulation in it. It cooled my small standard cab fine, however it took a fair amount of blower speed to do it.
The recirculation only was a big problem during summer rains. I couldn't keep the windows clear. Same problem in the winter while using defrost, which required adjusting the cycling switch for winter.

 

[NorCalAnthony]

I had heard some complaints about the VA condenser being undersized for K5's and bigger trucks so after some looking around on their website I found they make one that's almost the same size as our factory one so I ordered one off of Summit to try out. It'll be a while before I get everything put back together and running but here's what it looks like compared to the stock condenser and the one that comes with the VA sure fit kit as well as my mock up solution so far.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/vta-037030-ovr

 

[K85 Octane]

Only ever had one of those systems. It was an Old Air Products AC unit though. Was good enough in the standard cab ‘68. I’d say look into their units as well, was a nice kit.

No other experience tho

 

[TankedUp]

I have the old air products a/c in my 86 K5. It struggles in south Texas summer. I have another thread on here a few months back about it. Trying to get it cooling better.

 

[6872xtc]

The evaporator and heater core sizes of the aftermarket systems are going to be lagging behind a factory one. That's why the OEM parts don't fit under the dash.

 

[TJ1978]

They don't pull in fresh air, it just circulates around whats in the cab. I priced around for quotes for my Blazer and the quotes to install were more than I paid for my blazer. So I opted to just roll the windows down.
I bet for a c10 they would be fine but there is a lot of room to cool in Blazers or Suburbans.

battery operated cheap cooling...or a wet towel around your neck.

 

[Chuy84k5]

I have a sure fit kit my k5. I've yet to use it in the summer but it seems that it cools damn good IMHO. I wasn't going to run ac at all but I was originally building the k5 for the wife. So that's why I opted for the ls swap and the vintage air kit. I have a pancake compressor in my c10 that's ls swap with a dirty dingo bracket with an upgraded condenser and it's not near as good as the vintage air.(yes I swapped out the blower motor)

 

[6872xtc]

I have a sure fit kit my k5. I've yet to use it in the summer but it seems that it cools damn good IMHO. I wasn't going to run ac at all but I was originally building the k5 for the wife. So that's why I opted for the ls swap and the vintage air kit. I have a pancake compressor in my c10 that's ls swap with a dirty dingo bracket with an upgraded condenser and it's not near as good as the vintage air.(yes I swapped out the blower motor)

Not to be some I internet dufus, but your experience surprises me. I had the stock R4 compressor in my '90, and have now switched to a Sanden, and have no problems staying cool, even though the truck is black. The in cab parts are factory, but I have the parallel flow condenser and Ford orifice tube because of running 134A. I even go wheeling with the windows down in Moab.
It would be interesting to know what differences there are, too bad we can't get them side by side easily.

 

[K85 Octane]

You guys setting the temperature correctly on the probe that goes in the coil? When I installed mine and had someone fill it for me, the compressor clutch would cycle a lot. After adjusting the temp probe on the unit inside, the clutch would stay on longer and the coil would get cooler. They said turn it till it “ticks” and go another 1/4 turn. (I think 1/4 turn, it’s been a while)

But yes, I realize the units are already undersized for a blazer. They’re more for hot rods and small cabs.

 

[6872xtc]

You guys setting the temperature correctly on the probe that goes in the coil? When I installed mine and had someone fill it for me, the compressor clutch would cycle a lot. After adjusting the temp probe on the unit inside, the clutch would stay on longer and the coil would get cooler. They said turn it till it “ticks” and go another 1/4 turn. (I think 1/4 turn, it’s been a while)

But yes, I realize the units are already undersized for a blazer. They’re more for hot rods and small cabs.

Factory system doesn't have that, of course.

And I had to adjust that knob for summer and winter, do I was very familiar with it. Until I pulled the system out.

 

[anwat]

I've been unhappy with mine...it just doesn't cool that well. Even with the halfcab I used to have, it would barely keep it cool inside in the summer. I keep thinking it's not working correctly, but I've had it to the
a/c shop twice, and both times they tell me it's all charged up and running like it should. It's better than not having it, but don't expect much other than fogged windows when there some humidity in the air. The blower is very loud on high, and it's always on high. It does OK until the outside temp gets above 85-90, at which point it starts to lag. I do have the sanden compressor on mine. That being said, I don't think you have many options, and it is better than not having air....

 

[nitro_rat]

They'll keep you from sweating on your way from the show floor at SEMA to the trailer in Las Vegas in October. If you need actual A/C stick with factory stuff behind the dash and get an aftermarket parallel flow condenser for use with 134a. Sometimes these are available over the counter at a parts house, sometimes when they're not in stock you can get that big one from Vintage Air and adapt it. We have a local hydraulic shop that can weld aluminum and build/modify A/C hoses so finding a place like that is useful...