Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

[Full Size Jeeper]

Hello all, I'am trying to wrap up a back yard restoration of a 78 Wagoneer. To be honest, I'am burnt out on the build. Don't get me wrong, I'am very happy with what I have learned and accomplished, but Really ready to be done. Anyway, I have reached out to sonoraed (Ed), to help me try and Get the A/C system installed. V/A doesn't have an all in one kit for our rigs, so Ed is trying to come up with something that will help us get some cool and modern air for our Jeeps. I already have a hose kit, condenser, drier, and the V/A defrost ducts Ed said to use.

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This is the test fit of the condenser.

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Ed built some hard lines for us and when they get here, I'll post some pics. once I get them installed. Today I'am fitting the defrost ducts to the dash. Ed didn't say how he did it, but i'll show what I came up with. He did say the one on the drivers side should have the hole that the duct hooks to towards the middle of the dash, so that is what i'am doing. I always start with a piece of thick paper or cardboard.

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I'am using and old dash I pulled out of a parts wagon I have so I don't need to keep crawling under the dash of my rig. The studs that held the factory defrost vents on are to close together for the new vent. What I'am going to do is make a plate that I can bolt to one of the unusable factory studs and the stud that holds the back of the ashtray bracket. Then weld a new stud in the right place for the new vent. Hope what I wrote and the pics can get my point across as to how I did it.

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Here is the plate mounted to the two studs. The black dot is where I'am going to weld the new stud that will hold the vent in place.

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Test fitting before I cut the new welded stud to correct length.

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Drivers side is done.

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Top view

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Top view drivers side.

[cpfeifffer]

I am several months behind you on my install. What is the issue with using the factory defroster vents?


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[Full Size Jeeper]

Here is a link to my build thread on IFSJA if interested.
78 Wagoneer, Building a driver. New thread.
http://www.ifsja.org/forums/vb/showthread.php?t=183237

[Full Size Jeeper]

(I am several months behind you on my install. What is the issue with using the factory defroster vents?)
Maybe sonoraed can jump in and explain. I did not ask him what the problem was, but from reading the specs on the evaporator, I did notice the defrost hose diameter is 2 inches. The factory defrost duct takes a larger hose and it hangs down lower, so maybe it hits or is to close to the Vintage Air evaporator.

[sonoraed]

It's been six years since my install so don't remember everything and correct me I'm wrong, but isn't the oem defrost duct a hard molded plastic duct that sits on top of heater diverter, would be alot of work to make it work with the GenIV,I used a Vintage Air defrost duct that came with metal arms already attached not as nice as your creation!

[irondawg]

Following along closely as I'm about to start A/C install in my Chief.

[cpfeifffer]

My ‘78 has separate defroster vents and flex ducts from the heater box. I sure hope I can reuse them as I didn’t make other allowances...

Looking forward to seeing your results Irondawg.


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[Full Size Jeeper]

Okay guys and gals, I sent some drawings via text to Sonoraed for some hard lines I needed. He made what I asked for, and it is exact, as per my drawings. Well Ed was, I guess, a little worried about what I sent, so he made an extra one the way he would have done it. Both would work, but his design fits and looks better. Ed, I used your line for the top of the condenser.

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Here are a few pics of how the new hard line runs across the top of the valance.

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The grill bolt will clear the hard line.