Technical Traditional Air Conditioning

I'm heading up to the Meltdown Drags in a couple weeks. My wife decided she'd go along. Since I'm planning to drive my 57 Suburban, I figured it would make life more pleasant for both of us if I finally got around to adding AC to the old truck.

I had been watching a nifty Frigette Strato Dawn underdash unit on craigslist for months...he started at $400, but finally got it down to $175, so I figured it was time to make an offer. He did knock some more off the price. It's a nice clean unit, so I figured it was worth spending more than usual for it. And besides, I already had the manual for it!

Frigette manual

So I looked around the shop, and found a not too old compressor, and condenser. I ordered a hose kit from ebay, and a compressor bracket from Summit. I asked a friend if he had the right pulleys for a 1970s 350, and he did. A week later, it's in and blowing cold. I had a case of R12 cans left over from the old days, now I have two less. I also made sure to paint the condenser black, so it would disappear behind the grille.

 

You will appreciate that when you enter the humid midwest.

 

because your work is always awesome and i'm really upset that i can't always view this stuff (maybe if i worked at work and HAMB'd at home, it would be better)-rick

 

Strange what power a lady has on her man...Good on you Jim...

 

I'll try the pictures a different way....sorry about that

 

nice and clean!
reminds me of a story my mom told me about grandma and grandpa heading out to california from texas in a 50 dodge 100 or so years ago..... Gpa wanting a/c for the trip, he put a galvanized tub in the pass floor full of ice blocks and the cowl vent would blow across it.

 

I wonder how well it will cool that big box? I often think, if a guy had a snap in divider, with a clear window in it, that isolated the front seat from the rest of the vehicle, that it would be more comfy for the driver and passenger. No point in cooling your tools, spare tire and suitcases. That Frigette looks right at home in that Chevy

 

@Carl La Fong exactly what we have to do in our work truck.

 

DUSTER R152A
If ya get tired of the expensive gas for your AC you can use "Duster" or the similar product. Ya know that stuff in a can to blow off your key board. It's a refrigerant, you bet, R152A. Says so on the can. Ya need gauges, hoses, side can tap and a vacuum pump just like regular. We have three vehicles charged with Duster and have for over a year. Did a few for friends too.
Cheat the system!!

 

Looks great, been thinking of an old under dash unit in my truck too.
I like it.

 

I paid $3 a can for the R12.....

 

Nicely done.

 

Looks very nice and likely feels better. Nice work!

 

Real nice installation. The evaporator sure does look retro and way better then the new hang on units. You'll be glad you have it.

Gary

 

I have a "Cool Kar" brand air conditioner saved for a future project from the same era. Yours looks nice in there, much prettier than the aftermarket ones being offered.

 

Looks good, fits the decor..Wish I could do something in a week !

 

My '64 Galaxie had the factory under dash A/C and on humid summer days in KC it would ice up on the outside of the case. Granted the Suburban inside is larger, but if your sitting anywhere near the A/C unit you should be fine. -Dave

 

That's kind of how they worked back then...they made a little arctic storm in the front seat, and you didn't worry about how cool the air in the rest of the car was.

 

Looks great and looks factory. Amazing how a woman can get things done. You might enjoy the AC too!

 

I had a 66 carryall that had an under dash unit in it. It did good for the front area. .it was an original a/c truck but the parts were had to find. It also had snaps where at one time it had a curtain behind the drivers seat.

 

Before I got this Suburban in the late 90s, I had a 66, with factory ac (seems that a lot of them had it, compared to pickups). I added a second unit behind the driver seat, I think the unit was for the back of a minivan or something. It really helped keep the kids cool back there. But the kids are all on their own now, I don't even put the back seat in this suburban except for special occasions.

 

Like in my 62 Impala wagon, A/C just fine for the front seat. Besides I don't ride in the back anyway.

Gary

 

It blends in perfectly with your interior colors and looks like it came from the factory like that. Beautiful work.

 

Ruffdawg,same oil as R12?

 

That cooler blends right in, looks like it came the factory!

 

great upgrade and it looks killer!

 

That's what supposed to be in a truck

 

I'd rather have your truck than your car, not that I'll ever get my paws on either one. Very, very nice.

 

Cool...

 

Cool