Rewire or AC first? - Lateral-g Forums

67blackbird · #1 02-18-2013, 06:42 PM

Gents, I am doing a 70 Camaro- the dash is out, so now is the time to do Vintage Air Ac and a AAW wiring harness. Scary, never done that before-but what is the preferred sequence? Wiring first and then AC, or backwards?
Thanks!

snappytravis · #2 02-18-2013, 07:24 PM

I am currently working on my wiring install, I have my ac box mounted, then I can wire all of it together, then plan to run ductwork, guess we will see what everyone else has to say

Denvervet · #3 02-18-2013, 08:02 PM

I'd go ahead and mount the heater/AC box under the dash as a trial fit. Then I'd pull it out and run your wires. You'll be able to see it all unfold and lifting the box back in and out as you go to see how it all fits. Ductwork near the end of it all....yet be trial fitting that too..to see what the best routing is .
I studied many hours of DSE projects photos watching how they were progressing just to get a mental pic of how I wanted things to go together. Every car is different. Go for it.....and take your time....measure twice cut once. You'll do great.
I purchased a good quality crimper....off ebay.... and was one of the most vital tools I've used. One can splice, crimp, resplice, etc to your hearts content and not freak out about wiring mishaps.

71RS/SS396 · #4 02-19-2013, 08:23 AM

I did mine like snappytravis did, mounted the box wired it all and left the ductwork until the end but I had the dash completely out of the car when I did this.

67blackbird · #5 02-20-2013, 05:07 PM

Thanks all- I see you kind of did them both together. The car runs now, I was looking to do one thing, then make sure it drives (some times I miss this goal) and then do the other one. The dash is out, so I am thinking AC, then wiring- as I kind of need to put the switches in to test the wiring, and should have the dash installed to test the wiring- gauges and all.
I will go and buy some good crimpers/strippers for the job. The goal after all is an improvement over where the car is now...
So sounds like I should install the AC, leave out the vents, do the wiring, add vents, then the dash.
Well, that sounds simple.