1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (2024)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (1)

Model Specific Perfect Fit Smart Series

A/C, Heat and Defrost. For Non-Factory Air Vehicles

Model Specific Perfect Fit Smart Series

A/C, Heat and Defrost. For Non-Factory Air Vehicles

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (2)

Classic Auto Air’s Perfect Fit Smart Series™ model-specific systems are not your typical, one-size-fits-all, low-quality, aftermarket air conditioning system. Every component was chosen for its superior design and quality rather than a low cost. Our RETROFIT designs give OE quality combined with better than original performance and reliability.

The Perfect Fit Smart Series™ 1978 Ford Truck air conditioning system is engineered to fit a 1978 Ford Truck. It comes equipped with carefully sized, large, separate A/C and Heat coils just like factory (OE) systems, not combined A/C, Heat coils often found on aftermarket systems. By using separate coils we improve the cooling and heating capacity of the total system. This increases the total efficiency of the A/C System by making the vehicle interior cooler much faster than other systems on the market.

Installation’s a Breeze!

The 1978 Ford Pickup Truck Perfect Fit Smart Series™ air conditioning system is designed specifically to bolt into your 1978 Ford Truck with minimum modification to your vehicle. Each kit comes with detailed, easy-to-follow installation instructions and a mounting template when needed

Not Just Aftermarket Air Conditioning!

Classic Auto Air’s Perfect Fit Smart Series™ model-specific systems are not your typical, one-size-fits-all, low-quality, aftermarket air conditioning system. Every component was chosen for its superior design and quality rather than a low cost. Our RETROFIT designs give OE quality combined with better than original performance and reliability.

The Perfect Fit Smart Series™

1978 Ford Pickup Truck air conditioning system is engineered to fit a 1978 Ford Truck. It comes equipped with carefully sized, large, separate A/C and Heat coils just like factory (OE) systems, not combined A/C, Heat coils often found on aftermarket systems. By using separate coils we improve the cooling and heating capacity of the total system. This increases the total efficiency of the A/C System by making the vehicle interior cooler much faster than other systems on the market.

D.E.R. CONTROLLER

Classic Auto Air’s 1978 Ford Pickup Truck fully electronic D.E.R. a/c controller installs in your dash with no modifications using the OEM factory control slot to maintain a factory look. This 1978 Ford Pickup Truck D.E.R. features (dash, floor and defrost) another for temperature control (hot, cold, and everything in between), and a variable-speed blower motor. Zero fabrication needed, just plug and play.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (3)

D.E.R. CONTROLLER

Classic Auto Air’s 1978 Ford Pickup Truck fully electronic D.E.R. a/c controller installs in your dash with no modifications using the OEM factory control slot to maintain a factory look. This 1978 Ford Pickup Truck D.E.R. features (dash, floor and defrost) another for temperature control (hot, cold, and everything in between), and a variable-speed blower motor. Zero fabrication needed, just plug and play.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (4)

SMART SERIES
ECU

Classic Auto Air’s New Smart Series A/C Kits are easier than ever to install. This Smart Series A/C Kit has Simplified Wiring with plug n play connections that allow you to be confident in doing the installation yourself. Classic Auto Air has taken out all the guesswork on wiring. The Smart ECU “Brain” of the a/c kit is clearly labeled and flashing LED lights to let you know what is going on every step of the way during installation. Only three cables plug into the ECU. Power, Servo, and Controls; that’s it.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (5)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (6)

SMART ECU

Classic Auto Air’s New Smart Series A/C Kits are easier than ever to install. This Smart Series A/C Kit has Simplified Wiring with plug n play connections that allow you to be confident in doing the installation yourself. Classic Auto Air has taken out all the guesswork on wiring. The Smart ECU “Brain” of the a/c kit is clearly labeled and flashing LED lights to let you know what is going on every step of the way during installation. Only three cables plug into the ECU. Power, Servo, and Controls; that’s it.

ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS

Within the Classic Auto Air Bluetooth app, you can self-diagnose and troubleshoot with our advanced diagnostics. You have the ability to know exactly how your A/C system is functioning in the diagnostics section. Check the A/C system voltage, current temperature, servo motor positions for your fan and temperature control, and more.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (7)

ADVANCED DIAGNOSTICS

Within the Classic Auto Air Bluetooth app, you can self-diagnose and troubleshoot with our advanced diagnostics. You have the ability to know exactly how your A/C system is functioning in the diagnostics section. Check the A/C system voltage, current temperature, servo motor positions for your fan and temperature control, and more.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (8)

SERVICEABLE EVAP

All Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit Systems are assembled using spring metal retainers, and are screwed together to enable you to service the entire system (if the need ever arises). Beware of glued together units that are expensive to replace.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (9)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (10)

SERVICEABLE EVAP

All Classic Auto Air Perfect Fit Systems are assembled using spring metal retainers, and are screwed together to enable you to service the entire system (if the need ever arises). Beware of glued together units that are expensive to replace.

COILS

All Classic Auto Air systems are engineered with carefully sized, large separate A/C and Heat coils just like factory (OE) systems. The separate coils improve the cooling and heating capacity of the total system.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (11)

COILS

All Classic Auto Air systems are engineered with carefully sized, large separate A/C and Heat coils just like factory (OE) systems. The separate coils improve the cooling and heating capacity of the total system.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (12)

PRESET THERMOSTAT

You always get the absolute coldest discharge temperatures with no fumbling of knobs or adjustments… so, no coil freeze up!

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (13)

PRESET THERMOSTAT

You always get the absolute coldest discharge temperatures with no fumbling of knobs or adjustments… so, no coil freeze up!

SPAL FANS

State of the art High Output OEM style blower assemblies with internal heat sink speed controllers for thermal protection. Excellent air volume with less electrical amperage. This is very important when installing on older vehicles where the electrical systems are not upgraded to modern standards.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (15)

SPAL FANS

State of the art High Output OEM style blower assemblies with internal heat sink speed controllers for thermal protection. Excellent air volume with less electrical amperage. This is very important when installing on older vehicles where the electrical systems are not upgraded to modern standards.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (16)

CONDENSERS

Classic Auto Air utilizes custom made state of the art parallel flow “micro tube” condensers. These designs are used today on modern vehicles to reduce head pressures and to transfer heat more efficiently. With dozens of custom sizes and shapes available we tailor fit each one to your specific vehicle, making it a “Perfect Fit”.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (17)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (18)

CONDENSERS

Classic Auto Air utilizes custom made state of the art parallel flow “micro tube” condensers. These designs are used today on modern vehicles to reduce head pressures and to transfer heat more efficiently. With dozens of custom sizes and shapes available we tailor fit each one to your specific vehicle, making it a “Perfect Fit”.

ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Another Classic Auto Air advantage is the insistence on powder coating many of our brackets. This gives them a better finish and much longer durability. Plus, no one has more custom brackets than Classic.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (19)

ATTENTION TO DETAILS

Another Classic Auto Air advantage is the insistence on powder coating many of our brackets. This gives them a better finish and much longer durability. Plus, no one has more custom brackets than Classic.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (20)

OPEN & SHUT

All of the mode doors and shafts are one piece composite extrusions. This exclusive feature allows for larger diameter bearing surfaces and longer life. No metal doors are utilized… which eliminates rust-prone failures.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (21)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (22)

OPEN & SHUT

All of the mode doors and shafts are one piece composite extrusions. This exclusive feature allows for larger diameter bearing surfaces and longer life. No metal doors are utilized… which eliminates rust-prone failures.

BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE

The Classic Auto Air 3 Year Warranty is nice to have – yet you most likely won’t have to use it. No exclusions here. We believe in what we build.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (23)

BUMPER TO BUMPER COVERAGE

The Classic Auto Air 3 Year Warranty is nice to have – yet you most likely won’t have to use it. No exclusions here. We believe in what we build.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (24)

OEM LOOK

Classic Auto Air is the innovator in supplying pre-bent condenser lines. These are high-quality aluminum lines that give an OEM appearance and speed up installation.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (25)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (26)

OEM LOOK

Classic Auto Air is the innovator in supplying pre-bent condenser lines. These are high-quality aluminum lines that give an OEM appearance and speed up installation.

DIRECTPASS TECHNOLOGY

Classic Auto Air evaporators are AutoCad designed to maximize airflow using the exclusive DirectPass technology. This give you a greater volume of unobstructed airflow. You also benefit from larger door openings.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (27)

DIRECTPASS TECHNOLOGY

Classic Auto Air evaporators are AutoCad designed to maximize airflow using the exclusive DirectPass technology. This give you a greater volume of unobstructed airflow. You also benefit from larger door openings.

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (28)

1978 Ford Pickup Truck Air Conditioning System | Classic Auto Air - Air Conditioning & Heating for 70's & older Cars & Trucks (2024)

FAQs

How much does it cost to add AC to a classic car? ›

With a range of options available, you can select the A/C system that best suits your classic car and enjoy the benefits of a cool and pleasant cabin, even on the hottest days of the year. The cost of adding or upgrading AC on a classic car can vary but is generally in the range of $2,000 to $5,000.

Can you put a new AC in an old car? ›

Still, in the right hands, an air conditioning unit replacement in an older car can be less expensive than purchasing a new vehicle. Considering all of your options is essential when your older car's A/C stops working, so you don't end up spending more than you have to.

Why is my AC not working in my Ford truck? ›

If you notice that your Ford's air conditioning system is not blowing strong, cold air, it could be due to a dirty or clogged air filter. The air filter prevents dust, dirt, and debris from entering the air conditioning system, but it can become clogged over time.

What is Max AC on Ford? ›

Max A/C sets the recirculation to on, fans to high, and temp to LO. It's a great one-button setting to get the truck initially cooled off, but you will be turning that mode off within a few minutes because Ford. The recirculation button can toggle the recirculation regardless of how you have the temp set.

How much freon does a classic auto air unit hold? ›

All new compressors from Classic Auto Air contain a full system charge of oil. Do not use more than 24 oz. of 134A refrigerant! 1.5 lbs. or 24 oz of R134A is what is required.

How much does it cost to replace entire AC system in car? ›

Average cost to repair a car AC
RepairAverage cost
AC hose repair$350
Compressor clutch replacement$850
New compressor$800+
New car AC installation or total system replacement$2,750+
2 more rows
Apr 13, 2023

How can I make my old car AC work better? ›

5 Ways to Make the Car Air Conditioner Feel Colder, Faster
  1. Replace the cabin air filter. ...
  2. Park in the shade whenever possible. ...
  3. Supercharge your A/C system. ...
  4. Don't switch to max A/C right away. ...
  5. Avoid giving your car A/C mixed signals.
Jun 10, 2019

How can I make my old car AC colder? ›

Here are seven ideas for how to make your car's AC colder.
  1. Basic Maintenance for Improved Cooling.
  2. Optimizing Airflow and Temperature Control.
  3. Checking and Replacing Cabin Air Filters.
  4. Refrigerant Levels and Recharging.
  5. Insulating and Reflecting Heat.
  6. Upgrading Your Car's AC System.
  7. Professional Assistance and Expert Advice.

How does old car AC work? ›

The condenser is like a radiator. It takes the high-pressure gaseous refrigerant supplied by the compressor, and allows it to cool into a high-pressure liquid, dumping the heat to the ambient outside air when it does so. An auxiliary cooling fan on the front of the condenser helps the heat to shed.

What are common f150 AC problems? ›

The most common reasons a Ford F-150 ac isn't working are a refrigerant leak, an electrical climate control issue, or a problem with the air conditioning compressor.

How does a Ford AC system work? ›

The air-conditioning system in a car works by manipulating refrigerant between a liquid and a gaseous state. As the refrigerant changes states, it absorbs heat and humidity from the vehicle and allows the system to give off cool, dry air.

What is the max AC button? ›

Pressing MAX A/C does this: set the circulation fan on high. Sets the compressor to on so it cools. Sets the air selector to recirculate rather than fresh air so that the air inside as it is cooled is used again so it is cooler than air brought in from outside that is warm. Maybe read your car manual.

What is the difference between AC and AC Max? ›

If I understand properly, setting your vehicle in the AC setting will cycle air from the outside into your vehicle attempting to cool it before it is pulled in. Likewise, MAX AC only recycles the cabin air not pulling in any air from "under the hood."

What is the max AC in a car for heat? ›

The “max AC" button on most vehicles simply closes the fresh air door, and puts the HVAC system in “recirculation” mode. On SOME vehicles, the “max AC” mode will also close the water valve (if equipped) to the heater core, thus reducing potential heat output.

Is it possible to install AC in a non AC car? ›

It can be tricky to convert a vehicle that was originally not equipped with air-conditioning to one equipped with air-conditioning. You will need to use A/C to get the correct size belt for your engine. After installing the compressor, you need to install the condenser near the radiator.

How much does it cost to add Freon to a vehicle? ›

The average cost for an AC Recharge is between $213 and $245. Labor costs are estimated between $123 and $155 while parts are typically priced around $89. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.

How much value does adding AC add? ›

A new air conditioning unit typically increases the value of a home from anywhere between 2.5% and 10%. Whichever is the case for your home, a new AC unit will increase its value by either a small amount or a considerable one.

Do classic cars have air conditioning? ›

Some do. Some cars that come from the 1950s have air conditioning.

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