AC/Heat advice - F100

[laverda]

Hello,
I am in the process of acquiring a '53 F100 as a daily driver (still contingent on some safety work) and my wife stated ... 'it needs good heat & AC if you buy that'. So the question is, of the following manufacturers which would the HAMBers recommend? I have searched the HAMB & it seems VA is usually on top but I am unsure of this purchase as I have never purchased/installed AC. The prices also vary quite a bit between kits. Any help would be great. Thanks.

papa al

AC options:
Hot Rod Air's
Air-tique
Vintage Air


PS any Canadian suppliers out there?? I know of only The Old Car Center in BC.

[porknbeaner]

I've heard good about vintage air and hot rod air.
When I was going to A/C my '53 I was looking toward hot rod air. But I don't recall why, I think they used to have an under dash heat cool and defrost that resembled the original heater.

Of course this is all opinion. I've completely changed directions since then.

[fab32]

We've used several Vintage Air units and have had good results with them. they were the first to concentrate on the hot rod market and it seems everyone else has been playing "catch up" since. You might do better on price, but I doubt you'll exceed the quality.

Frank

[Pist-n-Broke]

Vintage is a good product, However I have used several from Old Air Products as well. They have been excelant units and are more cost efficent. www.oldairproducts.com (http://www.oldairproducts.com) Check them out.
The Wizzard

[Petejoe]

Vintage is a good unit. Have one in my chevy pu.
If you decide to go with the smaller unit though, make sure you insulate the cab very very well. Roof especially.
Great unit.

[38Chevy454]

Vintage makes good stuff. Hot Rod Air was started by a guy that used to work at Vintage, guess he thought he had a better mousetrap. No personal experience with either Vintage or Hot Rod Air. I have an old air-tique unit in my 37 truck and it works fine, no major problems after many years. Air-tique has had great customer service for me needing a new fan switch and a new expansion valve.

I think any of these three companies provide a good product. I have heard of problems with product and customer service form Southern Air products. No specific info, maybe others can fill in better details.

[manyolcars]

Stay away from Old Air Products in Fort Worth, Texas. Believe me, you dont want their product or their attitude.

[Roothawg]

Who's the other company? Southern Air?

[MercDeuceMan]

I'd go with the Vintage Air set up. I put a combo heat and air unit in my 57 truck last winter and it was a breeze. You can hang meat in it!! I have put several Vintage air units in cars and trucks for customers and had no problem with any of them. The only advice I have is don't get there 'hose kit'. Of course, use their instructions on routing the hoses, I have found that their hose lits just seem to lack all the correct ends or they are short on the amount of hose. Plus, it is nice to be able to position the hose and end before it gets crimped so the hoses flow better in the engine compartment.
Just my two cents worth....

[tomslik]

yeah, the other asshole to stay away from (southern air).
and yeah, i USED to have one of there lumps of shit.

[RC]

I installed a vintage Air last summer in my 36 Ford PU.

I purchased it from Yogi's because he had it on sale, plus Yogi's will "loan" you the crimping tool for the hoses. Made the job easy and looks professional.

[Pist-n-Broke]

Stay away from Old Air Products in Fort Worth, Texas. Believe me, you dont want their product or their attitude.

yeah, the other asshole to stay away from.
and yeah, i USED to have one of there lumps of shit.

I'd be interested in knowing what the problems were manyolcars and tomslik have had. I've alwayse found Old Air to be a good product and am getting ready to install another one in my 36 Ford truck.
The Wizzard

[Ayers Garage]

I'll third what these guys are saying. I am currently shopping very seriously for a system for my 72 truck. Old Air is right here in town where I live.

Believe me, after talking with them on the phone, I will look elsewhere. It sure would have been easy and no shipping costs to just pop over there and buy it in person.

Ironically, I've been there several times over the years for miscellaneous heater parts for old cars I've been tinkering with. They do a real nice 12 volt blower motor for old 6 volt Chevys.

[Pist-n-Broke]

Maybe things have changed there. I was looking at my reciept for the 39 Ford unit and the date is 1992. They treated me real good and it's still working fine. The unit in the 58 Ch Pu was bought in 1994 and still working fine. I've installed 2 others for friends but it's been 5 or 6 years ago also. Maybe the Co. has just gone down hill since.
The Wizzard

[speedaddict]

[ QUOTE ]
I installed a vintage Air last summer in my 36 Ford PU.

I purchased it from Yogi's because he had it on sale, plus Yogi's will "loan" you the crimping tool for the hoses. Made the job easy and looks professional.

[/ QUOTE ] RC, where is Yogi's located? I'm looking for someone to install the AC in my 39. I can do the easy stuff, but not too confident....

[laverda]

Thanks for all the responses! After further research VA & Hot Rod Air have Canadian suppliers which helps somewhat, also VA has recently designed a "SureFit" system for the '53 & sounds top notch. Hopefully the deal works out and I get the truck.

Later,
papa al

[38Chevy454]

speed, both Vintage Air and Hot Rod Air are just down the road form you in San Antonio area. Both are on north side of town I-35 area, so it's even easier for you coming down from Austin.

[Petejoe]

Since this is your first time with A/c installation. I would give a word of caution to be absolutely sure you apply the provided oil to the O-ring seals. That by far is the biggest reason for leaks in a new or old system.
The oil dries out and before ya know it the connections are leaking.

[SamIyam]

I've installed several Vintage Air units and all have worked flawlessly.

The gentleman that left Vintage Air to start Hot Rod Air has a different philosophy about the operation of the controls, from what I understand. The difference is that the Vintage Air units have gone from manual controls to electronic servo controls... while the Hot Rod Air unit has stuck with the tried and true manual control. Bells and whistles, or simplicity.

Other than that, I think the basic operation of the two units is comperable.

Call the two up and ask them... ask them why one is better than the other and why they are different.

Sam.