Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Area for stock and aftermarket air conditioning.
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Full Size Jeeper
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

TRINARY SWITCH WIRING:
Ed sent me some really detailed text about how to do this but I still was not 100% sure of myself. This video explains with pictures what is really going on, and with this and Eds explanation, it was able to make its way through my thick skull. Hope this helps others.
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
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Stuka
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Stuka »

Fixed your YouTube link for you. You just want the code at the end of the URL in the tags.
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irondawg
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by irondawg »

This is excellent! I'm really close to starting my setup. I'm going to get the p/s and hydroboost brakes done first and then work on the a/c. Thanks for all the fine pictures and you've given me a lot of ideas!

:-bd
1978 Cherokee Chief WT in a thousand pieces
Previous Jeep: 2001 Grand Cherokee
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Full Size Jeeper
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

The a/c system is charged. I did it at the house and believe it is really close to the 28 ounces, Vintage Air recommends. If anyone wants to comment on these numbers, I would like to hear your opinion.
Ambient air 84 F
humidity 80%
L/side 15
H/side 210
40 F out of center vent med blower speed
This was at 1500 rpm, with a fan blowing on condenser.

Just sitting at idle with no shop fan blowing on condenser, 30/35 low side, 225/240 high side. The electric fan would not come on unless I blocked the front of the condenser with a piece of cardboard. Once the high side pressure made it to 254, the fan kicked on until the pressure went down to about 210. 40 F out the center vents.
Last edited by Full Size Jeeper on Fri Jul 31, 2020 4:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
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sonoraed
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by sonoraed »

Those numbers really are quite good, looks like you nailed it, congrats.


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RamJetFSJ
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by RamJetFSJ »

Nice! Can’t wait to get mine charged, still waiting on the right length v belt to arrive.
80 Wag in 73 attire, Ram Jet 350 power

GeorgeTurner12345
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by GeorgeTurner12345 »

Full Size Jeeper wrote: Fri Jul 10, 2020 9:17 am Then I used a jigsaw to cut across from hole to hole. I need all that length so we have room to slide the 90 degree bent heater hose on to the heater core.
Image
How the jigsaw was good enough for making this kind of Hole?
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Full Size Jeeper
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

I used a metal hole punch tool. Here is a pick of it attached to a half inch drive ratchet. A friend had this tool, so I did not have to buy it.
Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
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Full Size Jeeper
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Location: Mandeville Louisiana

Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Here is what the tool looks like. It's called a sheet metal hole punch.
Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
Online

sonoraed
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by sonoraed »

I think their called a rotabroch (prolly spelled wrong) makes really clean holes.
How’s your wagging coming along Darin?


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Full Size Jeeper
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Hey Ed, Just about done, really the only major thing left is the headliner. Waiting for warmer weather to get that done. Here are a few pics of what she looks like. AC and heat is working great! We went with carbon fiber, we wanted it to look a little bit more sporty.
Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
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Full Size Jeeper
Posts: 154
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Location: Mandeville Louisiana

Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
User avatar

Topic author
Full Size Jeeper
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:14 pm
Location: Mandeville Louisiana

Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
User avatar

Topic author
Full Size Jeeper
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:14 pm
Location: Mandeville Louisiana

Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
User avatar

Topic author
Full Size Jeeper
Posts: 154
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2015 9:14 pm
Location: Mandeville Louisiana

Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by Full Size Jeeper »

Image
1978 Jeep Wagoneer

401/turbo 400 transmission Quadra-Trac BW1339 (with Low) 4" Rusty's lift with 31" Summit Mud Dawgs

Mods:
Fuel Tank, Red Holley Electric Fuel Pump, Razor Grill, Rebuilt steering box
Online

sonoraed
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by sonoraed »

Really is beautiful, can tell lots of thought went into your creation, well done my friend


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03usmc41
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by 03usmc41 »

Do you have a list of the parts you used? I'm looking at doing the same thing but when I called Vintage Air today they were not very helpful. Basically told me they had no record of someone using their kits for a 78 Waggy or Cherokee and referred me to the forums. Just some background I am installing in a 78 Cherokee Chief with the factory AMC 360. It does not have a factory unit...just the heater/blower. Thanks
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jpswapmohn
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by jpswapmohn »

They (Page Customs, Richmond, VA) put a Gen IV in my 88 with a 69 dash. Pics in signature might help?
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sonoraed
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by sonoraed »

There is no “kit” but many have installed gen IV magnum ,I suggest you look at this forum and the mothership to see what been done in the past to get an idea of what it takesImage


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cpfeifffer
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Re: Vintage Air install on 78 Wagoneer

Post by cpfeifffer »

Based on a lot of the previous installations on this site (and serious envy of SonoraEd), I installed the GenIV Magnum. It fits but it is tight and takes lots of double checking to make sure it is in the right spot.

You'll be able to figure out the hoses and hard lines, but the thing that helped me the most was getting the right condenser. I spent a ton of time trying to get it to fit with good clearances all the way around (especially after accounting for my oil and transmission coolers). I used the VA 03260-VUC condenser. I installed the dryer like Ed's on the radiator core support, and routed the hard lines similarly.

Mine is also a 78 Chief, so you should have similar experience.
1978 Cherokee Chief
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