Vintage Air Sure Fit Kit Air Conditioning Install

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.

Whether or not your truck had factory A/C, it's nice to have the main distribution duct as well as the defrost vents; if not, the Vintage Air kit has provisions to work without the stock components.

Whether or not your truck had factory A/C, it's nice to have the main distribution duct as

Don't let the dash's menacing looks scare you-it will come free from the cab quite willingly. Along with the two perimeter bolts securing the sides, there are also mounts along the steering column.

Don't let the dash's menacing looks scare you-it will come free from the cab quite willing
If, like some, you opt to simply free the passenger-side mounts, you can squeeze the evaporator unit in, but it's tricky to do without possibly damaging part of the unit, like a fragile microswitch, not to mention tweaking the dash's lower edge.

If, like some, you opt to simply free the passenger-side mounts, you can squeeze the evapo

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.

The only thing Vintage Air does not supply with the Sure Fit kit is the "non-A/C" control
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.

This one from LMC Truck Parts (PN 32-0635) will work. However, you will need to swap out t

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.

I simply made a quick mounting bracket modification to integrate the proper switch. Before
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.

With the panel still to be installed and the evaporator now connected with cables and wiri

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.

Before the evaporator is mounted, the distribution ducts need to be installed. to make sur
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.

The defroster duct goes in place first. It can either be secured with the metal tabs along

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.

Next, the main distribution duct goes in place. It is held in place "in conjunction" with
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.

You'll notice the dash protruding down in this sequence of photos-I pivoted it up out of t

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.

On the passenger side, this strap holds the unit firmly in place. There are also two more

Unless you want a wet floor each time you use the A/C, don't forget to route the drain down through the toeboard.

Unless you want a wet floor each time you use the A/C, don't forget to route the drain dow
The A/C and heater fittings exit the evaporator through the existing hole in the firewall from the factory equipment. Be cautious when installing the unit-don't catch any of the plumbing on the firewall, as it's easy to kink the lower return line if you're not careful.

The A/C and heater fittings exit the evaporator through the existing hole in the firewall
When installing the A/C lines, be sure to lubricate the pressure-fitting O-rings before connecting.

When installing the A/C lines, be sure to lubricate the pressure-fitting O-rings before co

Before connecting the lines, install the firewall cover first. The compressor switch can be routed along with the fluid lines and secured with zip-ties. The heater control valve will need to be mounted inline, as shown, with the control cable (routed through its own hole) attached appropriately.

Before connecting the lines, install the firewall cover first. The compressor switch can b
The drier and condenser will mount to the front of the vehicle with no modifications. Make absolutely sure you wire in the supplied safety "hi/lo" switch to avoid any damage to the system under extreme conditions.

The drier and condenser will mount to the front of the vehicle with no modifications. Make
Even though it sounds backward, the heater's "in" line goes in the intake; the "out" line goes in the water pump. Performance Stainless fittings were used in both ports. Follow the instructions for the compressor line locations, and be sure all the fittings are tight before charging the system!

Even though it sounds backward, the heater's "in" line goes in the intake; the "out" line

The Sure Fit's wiring harness is equipped with a beefy Maxifuse (which also comes with a weathertight rubber boot) that's mounted to the inner fender just near the battery.

The Sure Fit's wiring harness is equipped with a beefy Maxifuse (which also comes with a w
Back in the cab, the remainder of the ducting is wrapped up. Supplied flex tube feeds the furthest driver-side register, as well as the passenger side, shown temporarily dangling here. Notice how the duct is mounted to the evaporator with a small sheetmetal screw.

Back in the cab, the remainder of the ducting is wrapped up. Supplied flex tube feeds the
The molded plastic reducer supplied in the kit connects the flex tube from the distribution duct to the passenger-side register; small S-clips secure it.

The molded plastic reducer supplied in the kit connects the flex tube from the distributio

With the evaporator finally in place-and secured-the main duct no longer floats freely behind the dash. The center register will need to be guided onto the duct outlet as the dash pad is reinstalled.

With the evaporator finally in place-and secured-the main duct no longer floats freely beh
OK, so there is ONE slight modification necessary-you're going to have to sacrifice some glovebox space to accommodate the evaporator. It's not the end of the world. Vintage Air supplies a template to mark and cut the box adequately, which can be done with a hacksaw blade.

OK, so there is ONE slight modification necessary-you're going to have to sacrifice some g
Once cut, the box halves reattach with the same S-clips used on the ducting reducer. You may not be able to stuff a large pair of underwear in the glovebox anymore, but there's still ample room for important documents such as registration and an insurance card.

Once cut, the box halves reattach with the same S-clips used on the ducting reducer. You m

The dash pad, with new registers and faux-woodgrain accents from LMC, is finally put back in place, and with the exception of a different control panel, you'd never know anything was ever done-except, of course, when the A/C is turned on and sweat drops turn to icicles!

The dash pad, with new registers and faux-woodgrain accents from LMC, is finally put back
Get a professional A/C technician to charge your system if you want it to operate the way it's supposed to. He can also verify the unit is installed correctly and that there are no leaks. If you can hook up with a mobile tech familiar with aftermarket systems-like Quality Air's Ron Gimenez-you're one step ahead of the game.

Get a professional A/C technician to charge your system if you want it to operate the way

Air Conditioning Install - Fit to be Cool

When it's Time to Control Your Climate, Vintage Air Is There