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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) => Topic started by: 454ss on August 16, 2010, 04:31:12 am
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This question may have to be answered by trial and error when I get a truck, but here goes in hopes maybe someone might have an answer.
Will a 1988+ A/C unit fit behind the dash of a 1973-87?
My idea here is that I want to put electronic climate control in a 73-87 truck using factory parts. Possibly using an Oldsmobile control unit as it appears to be similar in size to the original 1973-87 HVAC control.
Yes, you will find as we go along that I am certifiably insane. ;D
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The question that I know of hasn’t been asked but the answer has been. "were there’s a will there’s a way" there’s some room under our dashes to do almost anything but you would need the guts out of the olds and find a way to mount or make your own duck work to attach the motors to open and close the flaps now the ac I don’t know anything about them but im sure their wires are separated and could be made to work with our trucks
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Wouldn't it be easier to buy a truck with a/c already installed 454? That's an agressive plan ya have there.
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Be advised you'd be looking at a lot of work for a very problematic system. The OLDS / Pontiac ATC AC climate controls are plagued with problems.
#1 The AC Programmer (AC Computer under the dash) is about $750 and are prone to failure.
#2 The control head displays burn out
#3 The actuator doors tend to break on the controller namely the temp blend door.
#4 The associated wiring is not stand alone - most of the systems communicate via the CAN BUS or serial data line through the PCM.
Bottom line is I could never see it worth your while to go through all of that to just be able to say you have a digital retrofit. There are aftermarket elcetronic climate controls that may be a better option but obviously more expensive.
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I've had 4 Cutlass Supreme convertibles (no BCMs in these) and none of them had problems with the ECC. :)
Actually, they are stand alone. ;D
I'm thinking that if I use some stuff from a 1989-1993 GMT-400 and some from the Cutlass Supreme, it just might work.
I have a lot of extras from the Cutlasses, so that won't be a problem.
My other thing is that with using the Cutlass ECC, I wouldn't have to add a DIC (compass/temp) to the overhead console, the Cutlass already has an outside temp sensor and I have a rear view mirror with a compass already. :o
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Well if the parts are plentiful and you are using a standalone system then it's doable. Plus if you have an extra dic you should be able to get it all done ;D
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