Simplicity. It's not always that easy to come by, is it? Sure, life has gotten to the point where it can throw a slow-pitch just as easily as it can a curveball, but more people are looking for that underhanded floater these days rather than a 90-mph sinker-especially when it comes to aftermarket parts for a classic truck project. Vintage Air knows that all too well, as evidenced by their vast lineup of Sure Fit A/C applications, units that live up to the name by fitting where they're supposed to-for sure!
Vintage Air manufactures Sure Fit kits for '47-86 Chevy/GMC trucks and '53-56 Ford trucks (they can put together a Universal kit for other Ford applications), each designed to work with factory space constraints, both under the dash and in the engine compartment, oftentimes better than the original equipment (and mostly better looking, too). Nobody wants to waste time trying to squeeze something where it doesn't belong, nor do they want to install something that isn't going to perform. With the Sure Fit, you're "sure" to avoid installation headaches, but more importantly, you're just as sure to keep your cool when the mercury starts a risin'.
While we can't show you the actual temp benefits of a Vintage Air unit, we can show you just how easy it is to install one in your pickup. Whether it's an early fat-fendered pickup or a slab-sided C-10 like this, there are no worries about fabbing up exotic brackets, cutting holes in your firewall or dash, or-the worst-being unable to cool your cabin down adequately. Even if your pickup doesn't fall under the designated models covered in the Sure Fit line, Vintage Air can set you up with one of the aforementioned Universal kits-no sweat.
For this particular application, the '73-86 unit, there are a couple of things to know ahead of time. First, you'll need to have a "non-A/C" '73-77 heater control panel, which Vintage Air does not supply. LMC Truck Parts and Classic Parts of America (formerly Chevy Duty) have control panels available; however, you may be required to swap blower motor switches. Vintage Air can provide the proper switch, but you can also obtain them from a local dealership. Modification varies on the types of mounting brackets each has-from simple to simple with a little clever thinking. If your registers (vents) are a little on the worn side, there are plenty available from the aftermarket.
Finally, if you don't have the factory air distribution ducts, the Sure Fit kit has provisions to work without, though it's much easier if you have them-we were able to locate good useable ones at a local wrecking yard.
The only thing Vintage Air does not supply with the Sure Fit kit is the "non-A/C" control panel. Fortunately, replacement ones are still available (though not easy to find). It may sound confusing, especially to a parts counterperson, but the Vintage Air unit will not work with a factory air panel. | 
This one from LMC Truck Parts (PN 32-0635) will work. However, you will need to swap out the blower switch, which Vintage Air does carry. Notice the three prongs on the switch-you need five for the Vintage harness. | 
I simply made a quick mounting bracket modification to integrate the proper switch. Before installing the panel, you'll not only want to pre-test the switch to ensure proper blower operation, but also hook up the control cables, too. |
With the panel still to be installed and the evaporator now connected with cables and wiring, check to ensure all the controls function properly. Once that's verified, the control panel can go in its place; the evaporator can wait patiently on the floor for now. | 
Before the evaporator is mounted, the distribution ducts need to be installed. to make sure the cold air went where it was supposed to, i used a self-adhering foam seal tape around the intake/exit ports. | 
The defroster duct goes in place first. It can either be secured with the metal tabs along the top of the dash, or with small sheetmetal screws (whichever works best), but make sure it's in solid, as it can easily be jarred loose when attempting to install the rest of the air components. |
Next, the main distribution duct goes in place. It is held in place "in conjunction" with the registers (vents) and evaporator unit. You'll need to temporarily suspend it until the remaining parts go in. | 
You'll notice the dash protruding down in this sequence of photos-I pivoted it up out of the way, and the unit slipped right in. The evaporator isn't super heavy, but a second pair of hands come in handy while you tend to the forthcoming mounts. | 
On the passenger side, this strap holds the unit firmly in place. There are also two more mounting locations: one off the firewall (which is also a mounting spot for the outer firewall/bulkhead cover), and one to the left at the bottom edge. |