I have a '72 Grabber that came with A/C. We're wanting to put that back into the car during the rebuild. I've looked at some threads of people just going vintage air or something similar. I was wondering if anyone knows where to get more of a replacement stock set up or if I should just look for another car to take it out of? Or is it better to just get an upgraded air unit? Thanks
I wouldn't put the time and money into rebuilding the under dash HVAC unit. If you want a stock underhood look, that's perfectly useable with a Vintage Air, or similar. My car has a GenIV Magnum under dash, and unless you are in the floorboards you can't tell it's not stock. That is until it's turned on.
We have most all the parts to go under the hood, we just have to see if they are usable since they've been apart for so long. Worst case we have to get a new compressor but I believe we have the bracket to hook it up and then get hoses and etc. How do you like the GenIV? Were there any issues with the install or would you do something different if you had to do it again? I posted a picture of it below...is that the one you mean?
I left all stock stuff under dash and put new Sanden compressor w/brackets, new condenser and lines under hood....
If you're using the factory underhood, I'd replace the compressor, expansion valve, and drier at the minimum. The unit was mounted when. I got the car, I had to complete hooking it up. Only real fabrication was making a box to tie in the center register, and an insulated panel over the radio (the duct laying on top of the case made it condense) I added the slide controls to the factory panel, so the original switches control the unit. My wife keeps a blanket in the car for summer roadtrips. Yep, that's the one.
Hey Will, do you have any pictures of the AC setup? Possibly help them decide which way they might go!
Yeah we don't even know if the parts work, they've been sitting in the trunk of the car since who knows when. Might just be safer and easier to go with newer parts under the hood anyways. I was wondering about the control panel for it, so I just have to get another piece that attaches to the backside in order to use the new system with the factory panel? That piece is through vintage air as well? I just need to make sure to protect the radio and surrounding areas from getting wet then. Then make vents or something that connect to the actual vents on the car. Thank you all for your help!
I'll try to get some pictures today. Problem is, the car is stuffed in the shop pretty tight while I try to put together another 302 to sacrifice.
You can buy those adapters that will fit the center register, I just decided to make one. The hoses will slip on the back of the side ball registers. Don't remember what size, but they fit the outlet on the GenIV. The control adapters (112002-sua is Summit's number) replace the cables behind the dash. It took some modification to the control panel to make them work correctly, so I'd try to locate a spare to cut on. It's pretty simple, I think I had to bend a tab the other direction to make it work and not hit.
Unless you have ALL the factory parts already....I would go aftermarket. In either case, replace everything under the hood, including the hoses.
Thank you all for your help! I'm going to look into more aftermarket options in case the factory parts i have turn out to be toast. It'll be awhile until it's installed but will be sure to post progress pictures once we're at that point