73-87chevytrucks.com

73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) => Topic started by: zieg85 on March 05, 2011, 08:49:16 am

Title: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2011, 08:49:16 am
Does anyone have a dealer installed AC unit on their truck.  My 85 I just picked up does and the compressor is locked up.  It doesn't look anything like the stock units. 
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: topp on March 05, 2011, 08:54:52 am
Pic?

Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: VileZambonie on March 05, 2011, 11:11:59 am
A lot of the aftermarket companies used York compressors or Sanden. Post pics
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2011, 11:45:05 am
A lot of the aftermarket companies used York compressors or Sanden. Post pics
I will get out and take some pictures later this afternoon.  The inside control that usually has Off, heat, defrost, has AC in the first spot.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2011, 02:03:49 pm
Hear are 3 pictures, I like the simplicity enough it may wind up on my 1986 that is under construction... The only thing I didn't like was how the glove box had to re-configured and covered up the options list...  What is MX1 transmission RPO code BTW???
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: topp on March 05, 2011, 06:27:18 pm
Compressor looks like a Sanden(sp?)....

As for the controls, that is not from an '85, and dealers wouldn't have been installing A/C in trucks.  They came from GM with A/C or without....

I am betting a PO took the A/C controls out of another vehicle......
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: roadrage41 on March 05, 2011, 06:36:04 pm
it almost looks like one of the early vintage air setups, pretty much every component of the new kits says vintage air on it somewhere, check around and see if you can find some markings.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: got2haul on March 05, 2011, 07:49:34 pm
My '80 has the same unit.  Same compressor, same controls.  I bought a '79 GMC new off the lot without factory AC and had the dealer install AC.  It was the same as well.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: zieg85 on March 05, 2011, 09:33:42 pm
My '80 has the same unit.  Same compressor, same controls.  I bought a '79 GMC new off the lot without factory AC and had the dealer install AC.  It was the same as well.

Thanks got2haul.  I found the Sanden website now I just have to figure out where the compressor # is located.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: 756man on March 05, 2011, 10:20:54 pm
MX1 is TH 350 trans.

topp, I worked at a GMC dealer in 84-85', we sold several trucks with dealer installed a/c, controls just like zieg85 has pictured.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: topp on March 05, 2011, 11:20:47 pm
MX1 is TH 350 trans.

topp, I worked at a GMC dealer in 84-85', we sold several trucks with dealer installed a/c, controls just like zieg85 has pictured.

Interesting....

What does the box on the firewall look like?
Why wouldn't they use "factory" controls on the trucks???
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: VileZambonie on March 06, 2011, 06:52:41 am
Most dealers offered A/C if it was not so equipped from the factory and either a technician installed the system which was aftermarket or they had a sublet company install it. One of the places around here that installed a bazillion units is Jones' and although not local to you I'm sure if you called over there they could give you a bunch of info on these kits. As far as that compressor goes there should be some markings on it somewhere.

Jones' Auto Air Conditioning
77 Connecticut Boulevard, East Hartford, CT 06108-3015
 
(860) 956-5629 ‎
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: zieg85 on March 06, 2011, 07:53:35 am


Interesting....

What does the box on the firewall look like?
Why wouldn't they use "factory" controls on the trucks???
[/quote]

The firewall is standard clean non-ac heater box with a little tube sticking out to drain the water build up.  I don't how well they worked compared to the factory units but I have always liked the manual vents on non ac truck and the room under the hood versus factory air.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: PO_BIRD on March 29, 2012, 11:22:12 pm
I KNOW THIS THREAD IS OLD BUT I HAVE DEALER AC IN MY TRUCK AND NEED HELP TRACKING DOWN A WIRE.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: Number21 on April 02, 2012, 01:25:37 am
Hear are 3 pictures, I like the simplicity enough it may wind up on my 1986 that is under construction... The only thing I didn't like was how the glove box had to re-configured and covered up the options list...  What is MX1 transmission RPO code BTW???

I have the exact same setup in my '73, with the same glovebox conversion. I was told it was dealer installed A/C but who really knows. It's missing the compressor right now but it's got the factory A/C controls in the dash without the factory A/C firewall.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: bake74 on April 03, 2012, 05:39:45 am
Hear are 3 pictures, I like the simplicity enough it may wind up on my 1986 that is under construction... The only thing I didn't like was how the glove box had to re-configured and covered up the options list...  What is MX1 transmission RPO code BTW???

I have the exact same setup in my '73, with the same glovebox conversion. I was told it was dealer installed A/C but who really knows. It's missing the compressor right now but it's got the factory A/C controls in the dash without the factory A/C firewall.

     That sounds like someone was swapping things around to me.
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: Custom Deluxe on April 06, 2012, 05:30:34 pm
I KNOW THIS THREAD IS OLD BUT I HAVE DEALER AC IN MY TRUCK AND NEED HELP TRACKING DOWN A WIRE.

Have you found what your looking for yet ?

My '82 came with a ARA Installation Instruction Manual
Model # 0507928
Title: Re: Dealer installed AC in a 1985 C-10
Post by: Wyomingite on April 11, 2017, 04:08:34 pm
Found this old thread while researching the A/c installed in my truck. My kit is just the same as this. Anybody know where I can go for some manuals or parts to get this running again?