Aftermarket A/C
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From:
Aftermarket A/C
Im getting ready to purchase a complete AC setup for a 289 and I was wondering what you guys reccomend for a really nice Daily Driver setup. This doesnt have to be original or anything like that, I just want something that works good and cools me down on those 100 degree days.[8D]
I ♥ Acer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 17,565
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RE: Aftermarket A/C
There many aftermarket kits out there.....for instance...... www.cjponyparts.com and www.npdlink.com
Do some more reseach, and you will find dozens of aftermarket air con systems. I prefer my old system that rattles at the comprssor and I have to turn it off during heavy traffic, but I am an old guy who enjoys the originals...
Do some more reseach, and you will find dozens of aftermarket air con systems. I prefer my old system that rattles at the comprssor and I have to turn it off during heavy traffic, but I am an old guy who enjoys the originals...
5th Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,445
From:
RE: Aftermarket A/C
I'm in the middle of installing a "Perfect Fit" kit from Classic Auto Air. Nice Quality stuff. They've kind of picked up where ARA left off.
I've had to make a couple of "refits" as it's not quite "perfect", It is excellent for what it is though, I'm just real picky.
Instructions for installing in a V8 are good. They have made so many copies of the original that some of the pictures are a little hard to see clearly. 6 cylinder install is a little short on routing hoses, otherwise very complete.
They all do a few things I don't like (ie using Tek screws into the cowl, and hacking up your wire harness) there are easy ways to get around this if you want to invest a little extra time.
In my youth I installed aftermarket A/C, stereos and cruise controls for a shop that did "Dealer Installs". My favorite installs were on the Highway Patrol Mustangs. We got to deliver the first few before they realized it was a long and winding road to the local Highway Patrol Headquarters.
If you go original style, the choice is more difficult, as they appear to be much more similar in apperance and components.
Think about whether you need dehumidified air for your defrost. If you don't then I'd seriously consider a "factory" system. You will loose the console compartment, but keep originality, and would gain in volume of cooled air.
If you do want dehumidified air, I would seriously consider the Classic Auto Air kit. The box is a little biger than the Vintage Air system, and you will need to trim a 3" wide by 1-1/4" deep piece from the right rear of the console. The advantage is a fully serviceable Heater and A/C core, all hoses connect on the engine side of the fire wall, and my favorite, the blend doors allow adding one switch in parrallel so that you can have full bore A/C at the feet level (very important in a convertible), and infinitely adjustable flow to all vents at once.
As far as the engine compartment side goes, looks like brackets and compressor are pretty much standardized. C.A.A. Boasts about their condensor over the others, but I couldn't verify that information. The one included in my kit is of very high quality.
There are a bunch of little tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your system. When you order it, feel free to "PM" me and I'd be more than happy to share what I know.
I've had to make a couple of "refits" as it's not quite "perfect", It is excellent for what it is though, I'm just real picky.
Instructions for installing in a V8 are good. They have made so many copies of the original that some of the pictures are a little hard to see clearly. 6 cylinder install is a little short on routing hoses, otherwise very complete.
They all do a few things I don't like (ie using Tek screws into the cowl, and hacking up your wire harness) there are easy ways to get around this if you want to invest a little extra time.
In my youth I installed aftermarket A/C, stereos and cruise controls for a shop that did "Dealer Installs". My favorite installs were on the Highway Patrol Mustangs. We got to deliver the first few before they realized it was a long and winding road to the local Highway Patrol Headquarters.
If you go original style, the choice is more difficult, as they appear to be much more similar in apperance and components.
Think about whether you need dehumidified air for your defrost. If you don't then I'd seriously consider a "factory" system. You will loose the console compartment, but keep originality, and would gain in volume of cooled air.
If you do want dehumidified air, I would seriously consider the Classic Auto Air kit. The box is a little biger than the Vintage Air system, and you will need to trim a 3" wide by 1-1/4" deep piece from the right rear of the console. The advantage is a fully serviceable Heater and A/C core, all hoses connect on the engine side of the fire wall, and my favorite, the blend doors allow adding one switch in parrallel so that you can have full bore A/C at the feet level (very important in a convertible), and infinitely adjustable flow to all vents at once.
As far as the engine compartment side goes, looks like brackets and compressor are pretty much standardized. C.A.A. Boasts about their condensor over the others, but I couldn't verify that information. The one included in my kit is of very high quality.
There are a bunch of little tips and tricks that will help you get the most out of your system. When you order it, feel free to "PM" me and I'd be more than happy to share what I know.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 576
From:
RE: Aftermarket A/C
I second the recommendation for Classic Auto Air.
Whether it's their under-dash knee-knocker unit (which is very similar in appearance to the original Ford), or their top-o-the line "Perfect Fit" system - you'll be really pleased. They out-perform the original factory A/C by miles. Much quieter, much colder, and rob far less horsepower.
Whether it's their under-dash knee-knocker unit (which is very similar in appearance to the original Ford), or their top-o-the line "Perfect Fit" system - you'll be really pleased. They out-perform the original factory A/C by miles. Much quieter, much colder, and rob far less horsepower.
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From:
RE: Aftermarket A/C
I did some research on the classic auto air site and from you guyses oppinions and im gonna go with this puppy http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCa...fit_system.htm I think it will be a good one.
Also im trying to get my digital camera to work for pics [sm=Flahssssss.gif] so you guys can see my resto. Im having the paint and bondo done within the next 3-4 weeks and I will start on the int. and engine [sm=icon_rock.gif]
Also im trying to get my digital camera to work for pics [sm=Flahssssss.gif] so you guys can see my resto. Im having the paint and bondo done within the next 3-4 weeks and I will start on the int. and engine [sm=icon_rock.gif]
Thread Starter
1st Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 90
From:
RE: Aftermarket A/C
I have very minor dents throughout the car. There is one medium sized dent in the left front quarter that will be mostly pulled out and shaped with bondo. This mustang is EXTREMELY clean. Three mustang fanatics I know personally have told me muiltiple times that my notchback is the cleanest car they have ever seen for sitting for 32 1/2 years 
Only rust on this car was surface that I sanded off and used a triple etch. I have looked over every inch I possible could and I havent seen anything besides surface [8D]
(I live in New Mexico, Dry dusty climate has preserved this baby. The sun scourched the paint off though [:@])
Only rust on this car was surface that I sanded off and used a triple etch. I have looked over every inch I possible could and I havent seen anything besides surface [8D]
(I live in New Mexico, Dry dusty climate has preserved this baby. The sun scourched the paint off though [:@])
3rd Gear Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 540
From: Georgia
RE: Aftermarket A/C
Definitely go with a modern aftermarket for your car - I tired to get my original to work and run with 134. It works fine, but doesn't cool anywhere close to the modern compressors. I am going to rework my system.