Chevy & GMC Vans

After a post a couple of years ago asking about the best place to install a small window AC unit and today after reading about Hipunch's purchase of the 57 Lincoln and mentioned the AC was in the trunk. I'm really thinking about pulling my AC assembly and maybe dropping a small AC unit down through the floor and running some duct work to the dash or somewhere through the floor or interior side panels.
Question is, what size convertor would be needed to run a small 110v AC and what size wire for a run from ALT. to convertor and convertor to AC unit ? Both convertor and AC unit would probably be around spare tire area.
1. Size wire to run from Alt. to convertor in rear of van ?
2. What size wire from convertor to AC unit ?
3. What size convertor ?
4. Would I need a higher amp. Alt ?

I would think this would increase fuel milage, clean up the under hood area and be much easier to maintain than the factory set up which is getting some age on it and has been a constant effort to maintain.
Tell me what your thoughts are. Crazy or does it make sense ???

Here ya go Larry...http://www.purennatural.com/prod_desc.php?prod_id=1285 don't even have to worry about the water that the unit sheds.

Now, all you need to do is figure a way to power it up without lookin all getto and your set,Your rad will thank you when you get rid of that big o'le windscreen ( condensor ) in front of it.

Or, get an rv unit on the roof ? but that doesn't look very cool,kinda defeats the shaved looked.


And check this out...http://www.roshgo.com/Merchant2/merchan ... CTGY/00408 I've seen several different adaptations of this, but being as it fits a standard cooler the cost is minimal,its not going to last you 5 hrs but if your only planning a short trip (an hour or so) then it might be all you need, if the ice melts just stop and get another block,big plus here is it will keep your drinks cold as well heck if you used those freezer gel packs you wouldn't even need to buy ice.

Hey Keith,,thanks for the info. Appreciate it. The shape of this one probably wouldn't fit underneath very well but noticed it pulled about a 1000w. I have a 3000w converter so looks like I'm ok there I think. Thanks again.

Now, all you need to do is figure a way to power it up without lookin all getto and your set,Your rad will thank you when you get rid of that big o'le windscreen ( condensor ) in front of it.

What I was thinking is maybe running all the wire along the rocker on the driver side, should be pretty clean. The only getto possiblity is the duct work curving back up through the floor or back to the front and hooking back up with the factory vents ?????????

This is all I could think of:

LMAO.


That's a real south Alabama set up there.

You won't see mine if I can figure this all out. :-k I think I can get a pretty small unit and hide it behind the rollpan in spare tire area.

Sorry Larry, I have to go with 'crazy' on this one.

Why not go with one of the aftermarket air units designed for hot rods and muscle cars? No, they aren't the cheapest route, but they are designed to be installed in just about any application, and can be optioned how ever you would want it. And since they are designed for rods, they don't look half bad either.

then so be it,,we'll just say I can't get south Alabama out of my system. Got to have a little redneck ever so often ya know.

Keep in mind, all will be hidden, you won't see the unit at all or the duct work(tubing)
Going CRAZY down south. and better fuel milage, less parts to repair and keep up, run cooler as Keith mentioned, not to mention the weight reduction when comp. condensor and all the other stuff is removed. I like the thought myself but can understand why the vision of an AC unit hanging out your window comes to mind.

You know they make a standing floor model A/C unit now that doesn't need to be put in a window . maybe you can buy one of those & set it between your rear seats .

sounds good Skippy but I want everything hidden. You know, the unit underneath the van and hidden by rollpan and run something like PVC along the rockers and then connect up to dash with some flexable tubing or smaller duct work.

Still kind of waiting on one of the electricians to tune on wire size and if I need an Alt. upgrade ???????

you know, the trunk mounted AC is really just the evaporator , I think - if I look at the engine pics I see the AC compressr in it's normal location.

I think - if I look at the engine pics I see the AC compressr in it's normal location.

Yea,,saw that after looking through pics again. I'd like to get rid of all my AC parts and go with small window unit under the van (hidden) not the south Alabama redneck style in an earlier pic.

If you fitted a `90-95 V8 model alt bracket you could mount another alternator where the smog pump should go, just for charging a deep cycle battery to run all your extra electrical gizmo`s......?

But it all depends on how many electrical gizmo`s you have?

However, there is room for optional alternators if you need them.

just go old school, and add some style too....
http://www.flickr.com/photos/joeross/2253402695/