Going with VintageAir Gen II Mini for A/C

[JQ02]

I got Mock up units for the Mini and ComPaq. I ordered them from Summit; I called them to confirm - free shipping to me, 90 return policy, I pay shipping back.

 

The Mini looks like it'll fit pretty well, but will require some console and glove box modification.

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure what my phone decided to focus on here; it switched to Portrait mode 😕

 

The ComPaq seems close, but it's just too big. This is as high up as it will go even with the heaterbox stud it was bumping into removed. And it's not flush against the firewall by a lot.

 

Side by side comparison pics. The Mini's fan on the right in this picture.

 

 

I guess I'm committed. I ground out one of the heater box mounts

 

If anyone wants more pics or measurements, let me know.

 

[Highnote1]

Hey man!

Great job. Good to see the mini in there. By my estimation and research 🧐 figured you would have to cut a chunk out of the glove box. 
I am leaning towards this unit if you didn’t happen to see my post last week. I like the size and I like the forward facing vent outlets. I like the vintage air stuff too. Hmm. 
 

Universal Compact Air Conditioning & Heater Kit 368mm

WWW.CARBUILDER.COM

---

INSTALLATION GUIDE IN THE CATALOGUETo download click on 'Catalogue' above

 

Edited May 7 by Highnote1

[JQ02]

2 hours ago, Highnote1 said:

Great job. Good to see the mini in there. By my estimation and research 🧐 figured you would have to cut a chunk out of the glove box. 
I am leaning towards this unit if you didn’t happen to see my post last week. I like the size and I like the forward facing vent outlets. I like the vintage air stuff too. Hmm. 

Thanks @Highnote1 I did see your post and took a look at that unit. My primary concern was how much support that unit would have in the US; VintageAir has been around forever and has tons of R&D and available parts and accessories. My other concerns were defrost - it doesn't mention it and that you can't run heat and A/C at the same time, which what makes defrost is effective.

 

And, yeah, there will be a need to cut a chunk out of the glovebox. @Rudy2002 posted pics of his modified glovebox with the RestoMod (another good choice, but $$$).  I prolly should have put my pics in that thread instead of creating a new post.

 

Edited May 7 by JQ02

[JsnPpp]

Looks like the right choice fitment wise. Looking forward to see how this all goes.

 

Jason

[JQ02]

2 minutes ago, JsnPpp said:

Looking forward to see how this all goes

Thanks! Me also  
I will be buying the actual unit soon and fitting it. Then taking it back out for paint and engine, so it won't go in for real until later this year. And, even then, I may not get to the compressor and condenser until next year. Trying to fit all that in with a bottom mount turbo will be a lot of fun.

[JsnPpp]

23 minutes ago, JQ02 said:

Thanks! Me also  
I will be buying the actual unit soon and fitting it. Then taking it back out for paint and engine, so it won't go in for real until later this year. And, even then, I may not get to the compressor and condenser until next year. Trying to fit all that in with a bottom mount turbo will be a lot of fun.

It will be great, I am sure of it!

 

Smart to do test run now prior to paint. It's double work in some cases but so much better than hacking at new paint.

 

I'm doing similar things with my stock Behr. It will all be refreshed and installed but won't be connected or tested for at least a year.

[zambo]

22 hours ago, JQ02 said:

I got Mock up units for the Mini and ComPaq. I ordered them from Summit; I called them to confirm - free shipping to me, 90 return policy, I pay shipping back.

 

The Mini looks like it'll fit pretty well, but will require some console and glove box modification.

 

 

 

 

 

Not sure what my phone decided to focus on here; it switched to Portrait mode 😕

 

The ComPaq seems close, but it's just too big. This is as high up as it will go even with the heaterbox stud it was bumping into removed. And it's not flush against the firewall by a lot.

 

Side by side comparison pics. The Mini's fan on the right in this picture.

 

 

I guess I'm committed. I ground out one of the heater box mounts

 

If anyone wants more pics or measurements, let me know.

 

That looks like the perfect unit for the RHD world of 02 owners. From the edge (vertical) of the lower section of the dash, how much does the unit hang out to the right? 
 

Thanks 

 

Rich

[Highnote1]

It seems so tight to get the hoses to immediately dip down for center console vents? Do you think they will be able to curve down that sharply and then aim out to attach to a vent or two?

[JQ02]

9 hours ago, zambo said:

That looks like the perfect unit for the RHD world of 02 owners. From the edge (vertical) of the lower section of the dash, how much does the unit hang out to the right? 

 

It looks like it sat about 4.5 inches past the trans hump. I ran it right up to the steering column.

Do you need a measurement to the right as well?

I think you'd still have to modify the glovebox and you'd have the duct hoses to contend with.

 

 

 

[JQ02]

9 hours ago, Highnote1 said:

It seems so tight to get the hoses to immediately dip down for center console vents? Do you think they will be able to curve down that sharply and then aim out to attach to a vent or two?

That's one of the things I like about VintageAir - they have a lot of accessories. I think this would be part of the solution

https://www.vintageair.com/custom/product-pop.php?pn=623010-VUA

Edited May 8 by JQ02
added image

[zambo]

47 minutes ago, JQ02 said:

 

It looks like it sat about 4.5 inches past the trans hump. I ran it right up to the steering column.

Do you need a measurement to the right as well?

I think you'd still have to modify the glovebox and you'd have the duct hoses to contend with.

 

 

 

All good thanks - I can estimate things from there. 

[Highnote1]

1 hour ago, JQ02 said:

That's one of the things I like about VintageAir - they have a lot of accessories. I think this would be part of the solution

https://www.vintageair.com/custom/product-pop.php?pn=623010-VUA

I want a piece that makes a 90 degree down for the center openings to keep from squeezing hoses down and straight forward…that’s where my brain is stuck. A lot to cram in there with a bend. 

[JQ02]

23 hours ago, Highnote1 said:

I want a piece that makes a 90 degree down for the center openings to keep from squeezing hoses down and straight forward…that’s where my brain is stuck. A lot to cram in there with a bend. 

I prolly haven't been thinking hard enough about it, yet. I'm going to order the unit and some bends and things. I'm hoping worst case I can 3D print what I need.

[Dudeland]

Looks good.  I finally had to give up the dream of having A/C.  I took out the evaporator for the last time.  I couldn't snake the battery cutoff switch past it.  It was just too big.  I will be selling mine soon, sans the console.  I need the real estate for go-fast bits.