Vintage Air 69 Firebird
 

I'm considering a VA Sure-Fit system for my 69 bird. For anyone who's done one in a factory AC car, were you able to fit a radio in the factory location after the VA AC was installed? Also, can you post a pic of the engine bay and the heater hose from rear of p-side head to fender?

https://www.vintageair.com/custom/pr....php?pn=964468

I installed the Vintage Air "Sure Fit" in our 69 Firebird convertible. I had full intentions on installing the original AM pushbutton radio back in place and it was not going to work out for any future removal of the radio if needed. Everything fit if the radio was installed first but all the A/C ducting and plennum took up all the real estate behind and would have to be removed prior to removing the radio in the future if needed. I then chose to install an AAR (antique auto radio) which has a smaller case in back, is AM/FM stereo, Bluetooth, iPod compatible and looks/ fits perfectly. No regrets doing what I did.

As for heater hose routing, I ran / hid ours under the passenger front fender to keep the under hood area less cluttered (smooth firewall). Our car is more Pro-Touring than factory correct. Looks factory visually but is loaded up with DSE suspension, lowered 2", TKO transmission, modern GTO LS engine, mini tubbed, etc.

Tim john---

Thanks- how about the heater hose that goes to back of head?

i have done plenty of these. you can put the AC controller anywhere you want since the modern system is electronically controlled by wire and not a cable. The heater hoses you can run any way your heart desires, your not locked in to any specific way to get the hoses to the core.

I also used the factory original A/C dash controller. Vintage Air offers a "kit" to convert the factory mechanical A/C dash controller to "dash pot" style electronic signal. Again, real pleased with the outcome.

Tim john---

Tim- does your AAR radio have 3 RCA jacks for rear (L,R,SW) or front and rear RCA jacks?

1969-70 Pontiac Firebird AM/FM Bluetooth® Radio


Quality chrome-plated knobs exactly match the original

AM or FM band selected with push buttons like original

Roll over dial looks and works
like original


Click to see larger picture

8 presets (4 AM, 4 FM)

Digitally tuned receiver with analog display

Digitally tuned AM/FM stereo front end provides stable, high quality reception

Maximum power = 180 watts RMS (45 watts x 4 speakers 4Ω, 14.4V, 1kHz)

Do not use original speakers

Uses original antenna

Fits in dash without any modifications

Analog controls look and feel like the original radio

All controls easily accessible. Volume, Bass, Treble, Balance, Fader and Tuning from original-looking controls

Red stereo indicator - dial face lights blue

7/16" shafts on controls for mounting (same size and thread as original shafts)

3 RCA jacks for left channel, right channel and sub-woofer line outs

3.5 mm phone jack for input from iPod, satellite radio or MP3 player

Switch selectable for 1,2,3 or 4 speakers

Switch selectable for North America or Europe mode

Includes a 6 foot 3.5mm male-to-male auxiliary cable with every radio

Bluetooth 3.0 EDR compliant

Built in microphone for HFP (hands-free profile)

HSP, A2DP, AVRCP profiles supported

Programmable audio equalizer

Place/answer calls or stream your favorite programs while maintaining original appearance!


More about 3.0+EDR wireless voice/audio

Part # 722201BT

1969-70 Pontiac Firebird AM/FM Bluetooth® Radio

$687.50

Yes, It has the multiple speaker jack's. Radio looks just like my factory original, fits just like my original is much smaller in size on the backside. It can be removed without too much difficulty with the Vintage Air Sure Fit system installed. You must use modern speakers with the AAR radio, the factory 10ohm will not work so I installed the "dual" small speakers (from Turn Switch) to replace the factory single 10ohm in the center dash (factory) position (use same factory mount) and I installed a speaker above each kick panel (hidden from view). I have a four speaker system.

I still have the original box and receipt for the radio if you need exact information or additional details.

Tim

Exactly why I asked - there is an AAR radio on ebay and the picture of back shows a total of 5 RCA inputs - one set for front, one set for rear and one for SW. I can't find that radio on the AAR webpage: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-70-Pon...ec2c%7Ciid%3A1

So I bought the AAR radio and have the Vintage Air system on shelf. On my bird it appears I have to remove the passenger side fender to run the AC hoses to engine compartment. I won’t be able to remove fender till the fall as my help is a bit busy. In the meantime I would like to do the center dash vent, climate control panel connections and route the vent hoses. At the same time I would install the AAR (radio), a new dash bezel, and a rally gauge conversion.

For those who have done this job in a bird - if I install these items but not evaporator, will I have to dismantle dash again to connect hoses once I install evaporator or can I do the job in phases like this without redoing a prior phase? Hope my question makes sense.