E-Bodies.org Cuda Challenger Forum

I'm getting closer to ordering an aftermarket AC system for my 70 Challenger. My car did not have AC originally.

The kits offer versions for AC cars and non AC cars. Not crazy about the underdash vent bar option so I was wondering how difficult it would be to add original style vents. Obviously there are the vents themselves but the dash frame appears to already have the cutouts for the vents. I need a new dash anyway. What other items are needed if I tried to go this cleaner looking route? Guessing cowl airboxes are different?

I know some will say go all original but unless I find everything I need for sale all together, I really don't want to hunt down all the items. I'm good with aftermarket but if it were easy to do it with original style dash vents, that would be great!

I'm dealing with this right now. My customer suppled a Classic Air system for his non-AC car. The kit includes dash vents and instructions for cutting holes in the existing non-AC dash pad as well as all the new duct work and tubes. The kit also uses the old heater controls with cables which I thought was weird.
I haven't attempted it yet, but his pad is perfect so I think I better measure twice, cut once :brainiac:

Isn't the firewall different on the a/c cars other then just the evaporator holes? Don't know if he's trying to convert the entire setup to look factory. I have a complete a/c heater box. But there is a lot more to change .

I wasn't trying to convert to the original set up. My firewall is the non AC type and I can modify as needed at this early stage because I'm still finishing up metal work.

I wasn't able to get a lot of information on the Classic air kit but that's good to know about them using cables. The fly by wire approach on Vintage Air sounds a lot better.

Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on May 26, 2020, 06:15:31 AM
The fly by wire approach on Vintage Air sounds a lot better.

I agree with that....but I didn't get an opinion  :'(  I didn't even know we were adding AC until the engine showed up with a compressor on it  :headbang: :haha:

Just did Vintage air. All dash frames are the same, so you can use your existing frame. If you are replacing the pad anyway, just get an ac pad. You will need the oe vents for the pad. You will also need a new panel where the heater ac control goes as there is a vent there as well. Vents for outside air (cowl vents) will be plugged. Vintage air system very nice. Instructions not so much...

It shouldn't be too hard to make a Vintage Air unit work with the stock Mopar A/C vents.

Quote from: RUNCHARGER on May 26, 2020, 07:28:55 AM
It shouldn't be too hard to make a Vintage Air unit work with the stock Mopar A/C vents.

They actually offer one for cars that had stock AC and that was the route I was considering. I think our cars look so much nicer with original vents instead of the aftermarket set up.

Yes, for sure.

Not a big deal.

However, finding original vents for the AC dash pad, that aren't broken, is going to be expensive.

Worth it though.  I hate those underdash pods.

ALso remember, original AC has that lower finish panel.  Hard to find one that isn't cracked.

Finish panel?

I noticed there is a duct behind the dash that I probably need. What's the finish panel?

Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on May 27, 2020, 05:22:14 PM
Finish panel?

I noticed there is a duct behind the dash that I probably need. What's the finish panel?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1970-1974-barracuda-challenger-under-dash-A-C-TRIM-panel-w-courtecy-light-mint/392810458490?hash=item5b7553ed7a:g:8GIAAOSwmh9eyVXa

You won't need any duct work. They use flexible tubing. You really don't NEED the trim panel, but does look nice...

So I wouldn't need this one under the column?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/153845797820

Nope...only if you have an extra $250 you don't know what to do with...Have you looked at there website to see what is in the kit? Looked at installation instructions? I recommend you do a little research there and you will have a better understanding of what you do and do not need. Or better yet talk to their tech people...

I've never noticed the dash finish panel before. Thanks. It does look good but I notice many pictures I find of AC cars don't have this panel. Is it standard with all AC e body cars?

Definitely don't need that tube, but you do need the vent that it goes to, as JonH alluded to. They connect all the vents to their manifold with flexible tube. Sounds like you're looking into this at the right time, before all your paint and body work is done, so you can modify the firewall as needed to make it look more like it's supposed to be there.

Corey

Quote from: JpRngr on May 27, 2020, 09:51:11 PM
Definitely don't need that tube, but you do need the vent that it goes to, as JonH alluded to. They connect all the vents to their manifold with flexible tube. Sounds like you're looking into this at the right time, before all your paint and body work is done, so you can modify the firewall as needed to make it look more like it's supposed to be there.

Corey

Exactly! Good to know I wouldn't need that tube. Thanks!

Okay...These are the "Classic-Air" dash vents included in the kit for a car with NO factory AC.
My opinion: Installation wasn't that hard on the bench, would hate to do it in the car
                  The Vacuum formed bezels are really flimsy and the large one is kinda banana shaped  which I couldn't straighten out.
                  The bezel is really shiny black compared to the UR dash pad, I guess the assembly (dash pad and vents) could be completely painted to match
                  Over all looks okay, but it looks pretty "after market" in my opinion.
Also, this was an ABS plastic core dash, not sure how much harder it would have been with a steel core ?

Thanks for the photos. I agree it looks okay but certainly not as good as the original. I think it's worth the extra expense of collecting the original AC vents and going that route.

So regarding the lower map light trim piece at the bottom, why is that found on AC cars? Is it supposed to hide the larger box hanging down under the dash? I like the look but it seems that I could get a nice result without it and add it later down the road if I wanted.

As far as this Classic Air kit is concerned, it would be virtually impossible to attach the flexible tubing from the kit to factory AC dash vents, just for a heads up, some sort of adaptor would have to be fabricated or the kit for cars WITH factory AC would have to be purchased.

Yup the lower dash trim was likely added to hide the box, and it can simply be added at anytime.  :bigthumb:

I'm actually thinking that is the best route to take. I'm not sure I want the classic air set up. I know Vintage Air has a kit to hook up to factory vents and that is the one I'm considering. No one has been able to describe why classic air is better.

I know the Vintage Air will take more effort fabricating brackets to hold the box to the firewall supports but I'm not worried about that. I'm shooting for a clean look and of course function. I don't know if these guys rate their systems in terms of cooling capacity. I assume they are about the same. In a perfect world, I want to feel uncomfortable chilly inside on a hot day.

Quote from: 70 Challenger Lover on May 28, 2020, 05:54:45 PM

I know the Vintage Air will take more effort fabricating brackets to hold the box to the firewall supports but I'm not worried about that.

The Vintage Air comes with brackets for mounting. Biggest thing for you besides the vents is the hole in the firewall for the hoses to pass through.

Corey

I like the Vintage Air kit, better, but my customer supplied this kit :dunno:

 :dunno: I probably have most of what you need but,Wish this post originated 6 months ago having just about finished all wiring my "Project"

Would you happen to have the vents too?

Is somebody looking for these?

PM, or e-mail jamesroney@yahoo.com

@70 Challenger Lover (https://forum.e-bodies.org/mlist/70-challenger-lover_962)  was looking for some I think