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Question: Adding air conditioning....

cwcorbin

Jr. Member
Joined
Sep 12, 2009
Messages
53
Live in Phoenix, and intend to add air conditioning to the EB. Would like to hear from any who have actual experience in hot climates, and success with aftermarket air conditioning. Who's system did you use?

(With all respect, not interested in opinions, only folks who have real experience. Thanks!)
 

JAFO

Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 3, 2007
Messages
1,556
Loc.
Beaverdam
Not a Bronco, but real world experience with A/C in my FJ40 (which is a smaller box than my Bronco). I installed A/C in my FJ40. The kit was a replica of the OEM system. Basically it is a coil in a box with a fan behind the coil. Just circulates the cabin air through the coil. Blows very cold air and works fairly well, except the position of the unit is in front of the passenger, so that person can't help but get blasted by the air and the driver never gets a good direct stream of air. But if I let it run the cabin gets comfortable enough eventually.

So, if you look at aftermarket systems and if any of the systems position the unit on the right side and just blow out the front, expect not optimal air for the driver's side.
 

Dfroman

Jr. Member
Joined
May 11, 2011
Messages
135
I have the vintage air gen II from bc's in my 76 it works ok.
I have the gen IV in my charger at it literally blows the gen II away.
Low on the 4 is like high on the 2
I understand they are very different vehicles, but I am only comparing the blower power.
Gen 4 is more like modern power.
 

blubuckaroo

Grease Monkey
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
11,796
Loc.
Ridgefield WA
I've had both Vintage Air and an old dealer installed system.
The Vintage Air blows more air, but the systems that use the old heater have a better defrost system.
PM me if you need details.;)
 

bronconut73

Bronco Guru
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
9,919
I have the VA/BC unit.

It cools my eb just fine except for the very hottest days.
But.....big BUT here....
I have zero insulation. None. Nada. Zilch, insulation. No headliner either....
My eb is an ez bake oven on wheels.
It is not easy to cool a tin can with a hot engine under it.

I am sure my a/c unit will be fine once I insulate my eb.

Regarding the blowers power.
It seems fine with appropriate vent location so pay close attention to that.

I heard someone was considering a voltage stepper to spin the fan motor faster but I do not know if that would work or not....Mine seems to blow fine....
 

Casey835

Sr. Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2008
Messages
759
I have the VA/BC unit.



It cools my eb just fine except for the very hottest days.

But.....big BUT here....

I have zero insulation. None. Nada. Zilch, insulation. No headliner either....

My eb is an ez bake oven on wheels.

It is not easy to cool a tin can with a hot engine under it.



I am sure my a/c unit will be fine once I insulate my eb.



Regarding the blowers power.

It seems fine with appropriate vent location so pay close attention to that.



I heard someone was considering a voltage stepper to spin the fan motor faster but I do not know if that would work or not....Mine seems to blow fine....


You said no headliner so I'm assuming with a hardtop, I'm just curious if it would provide any relief at all with bikini top and windows rolled up. I know this sounds crazy but my heat actually works well in the winter like this to a degree. I was thinking a lil cool air blowing in the face but would still have a wet ass and back from sweat in those corbuea seats.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

56f100bbw

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Feb 3, 2008
Messages
2,406
Loc.
Tucson / lakeside AZ
In my 77 I put in vintage air it will freeze me out but I am at 7k feet it ran hot down in the desert it does more a lot of air the heat is great no insulation yet that's next
 

FordFarmer

Full Member
Joined
Jan 20, 2014
Messages
309
I put the VA GEN IV in my '71. I have the hardboard headliner and the stock firewall insulation. I also have a full length rubber mat....so not much insulation wise. Made for a nice ride even on the worst summer days in Memphis. The only time it pooped out was if I got caught in traffic for extended periods of time (what I really mean is a 40 car lineup at Chik-fil-A). The stock fan didn't move enough air to keep the temp down for more than 10 minutes or so of sitting (185* thermostat). If I insulate down the road I expect it to be even better. I did prefer the stock defrost, the VA system tends to fog the windows if you mix much heat in.
 

Justafordguy

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 26, 2009
Messages
6,255
I run the BCB/VA unit and have my floors,top,doors insulated very well and with the temps and humidity here in Florida it will just get by. The evaporator housing and fan just doesn't flow enough air.

I hear that the VA GEN IV system flows more air but don't have any first hand experience.
 
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