Retro Fit AC unit for 1969 Dart - Using original dash controls and outlets

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Rix

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Hi All,

Does anyone know of/ have done a new retro fit AC unit (e.g. Vintage Air) that retains and works with the original factory dash controls and under dash vent?

Any info/ leads appreciated.

thanks,
Rix
 
You didn't say if you have the factory AC box under the dash. If so Classic offers a complete upgraded under hood kit that connects to the factory evaporator at the firewall.
 
I just bought Classic Auto Air. Being delivered tomorrow. If you have a heat only car this one has little mods. I will start a tread on it. Will probably start on it tomorrow. There was a a member here that makes an adapter plate for a factory AC car. You use your factory heat controls. The evaporator bolts in to factory location and the send you block off plate for the fresh air vent on passenger side. The vintage air has separate controls but is a universal fit. So some work will be done to fit it. It was a 2 week lead time. Even though vintage air is less than 10 miles from me. Their sales people are a pain to deal with even in store. I can’t imagine what it’s like over the phone. If you need one for your Chevy of ford use vintage. Just my 2cents
 
Sounds like you had factory air. The firewalls are completely different between Ac and non AC. The blower opening is a lot bigger on AC cars. There is a member who makes a plate for the conversion. I’ll look for it.
 
Here is another recent thread. I posted some pics of the adapter plate I made to make the classicautoair box fit my firewall. Your 69 will probably be a little different but the pics should give you an idea of what needs to be done.
Of course if your going to be painting the car you can patch panel it and make it real nice. In my case I decided on AC after the car was painted......doh.
Classic Auto Air - 1973 Duster - Fan switch help
 
Here is another recent thread. I posted some pics of the adapter plate I made to make the classicautoair box fit my firewall. Your 69 will probably be a little different but the pics should give you an idea of what needs to be done.
Of course if your going to be painting the car you can patch panel it and make it real nice. In my case I decided on AC after the car was painted......doh.
Classic Auto Air - 1973 Duster - Fan switch help
I made my mind up when ordering after seeing this Thread. Thanks much for sharing it with us. Beautiful car too.
 
I adapted the Classic Auto Air hoses to the factory '69 under dash chrome louver vent box without too much difficulty.
 
I'm 2 hours away from the car and I don't have any pictures with me.

What I did was drill out the rivets that hold the scoop portion of the factory box exposing just the 3 vents and bracket that holds the vents together.

I made an aluminum plate the same height and width as the entire 3 vents and cut oval holes lining up with each vent, and screwing that plate to the vent bracket.

Then I took the 3 vents Classic Air gives you and cut the portion off flat where the air hose would clip on keeping the rectangle frame around those clips. Drill holes on either side of those 3 frames and screw those 3 air hose clip frames to the aluminum plate over each hole.

I did run a hose over to the driver's side and velcroed one of the Classic air vents under my dashboard. I find that the vent gets in the way of the vent door, so I just rip the vent off to open the vent door.

It's a lot nicer having the factory chrome louvers then the Classic plastic ones.
 
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It's refreshing that all of you are installing AC. Smart people! All those fools on here that want to yank all of their AC **** out and sweat their asses off. I don't get it.
 
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