Aftermarket AC

[davery]

I am thinking of adding an aftermarket AC to my 85. It had one when I bought it, but it leaked so much it was useless. I took the underdash items out, but still have them. Everything in the engine bay is still there. I started looking at aftermarket AC units and noticed you can also purchase them with heat and defrost. Since I am having issues with my heat/defrost controls and the fan blower is dead, could this be an option? Just take out the factory blower and controls and install an all new unit. They even have electronic controls on the aftermarket unit. I know I would have to rearrange the dash, but I was going to do that anyway. Opinions?

[spiderrey]

Go for it.

[mPedro08]

I am thinking of adding an aftermarket AC to my 85. It had one when I bought it, but it leaked so much it was useless. I took the underdash items out, but still have them. Everything in the engine bay is still there. I started looking at aftermarket AC units and noticed you can also purchase them with heat and defrost. Since I am having issues with my heat/defrost controls and the fan blower is dead, could this be an option? Just take out the factory blower and controls and install an all new unit. They even have electronic controls on the aftermarket unit. I know I would have to rearrange the dash, but I was going to do that anyway. Opinions?

Someone was looking for the under dash parts in "parts wanted" last week...you may be able to drum up some funds to get you started selling off the stock stuff....there are others on here who also need spares I'm sure!!

[vandor]

I looked into that when I was looking at AC option, but decided that loosing the fresh air entry was a deal-breaker for me.
The Fiat heat box is designed to bolt under the cowl and let fresh air inside the car. 5 years ago when I looked none of the aftermarket units drew air from the outside.
Also, even tho my car is modified, there are some things I want to look stock, and among them are the heater controls.

If you do go that route and need to block off the air inlet, be sure it is a good seal, as there is quite a bit of air pressure from the cowl at speed.

[davery]

I looked into that when I was looking at AC option, but decided that loosing the fresh air entry was a deal-breaker for me.
The Fiat heat box is designed to bolt under the cowl and let fresh air inside the car. 5 years ago when I looked none of the aftermarket units drew air from the outside.
Also, even tho my car is modified, there are some things I want to look stock, and among them are the heater controls.

If you do go that route and need to block off the air inlet, be sure it is a good seal, as there is quite a bit of air pressure from the cowl at speed.

I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the advice. I can't really move the levers on my heater controls and I don't really like where they are located. Moving these controls to the upper center console is what I would like to do. I need to figure out what the existing buttons are for. I have buttons that are a mystery to me. There is a row of buttons, which includes the hazard switch. To the right of that is what looks like a suit case that does nothing. Could that be a remote release for the trunk? If so, not very smart on a convertable and I can see why someone disabled it. Then there are the power window controls. And then there are two buttons to the right of that and they do not push in, but look like lights. I have no idea what they are for. Anyone have any ideas?

[spiderrey]

The heater control switches have been moved to the lower dash before.

[vandor]

> To the right of that is what looks like a suit case that does nothing. Could that be a remote release for the trunk?

Yes. It only works with the key on - if it still works at all.

> And then there are two buttons to the right of that and they do not push in, but look like lights.

From memory they are the lights for 'fasten seatbelts' and the hazard lights.