Factory Roof Mounted Air Conditioning

[4gotn1]

How rare is the rooftop mount AC option on a D500? I just purchased a 71 with what shows on the build card as factory roof mounted AC and was wondering if now this truck is work restoring instead of the restomod style build I was going to use it for.

Thanks

[712edf]

From a money return on investment standpoint you're better off just building the truck to your personal liking. Unless the truck can be documented to have been owned by someone famous such as Elvis Presley these big trucks don't sell for what it takes to restore them.

Bucky

[martincom]

...these big trucks don't sell for what it takes to restore them.

Unless you have the golden touch, nothing ever does. Sometimes, you get lucky and pick the right thing to restore. Then 10 or 20 years later, you can even get more than you invested into it. However, if you wait too long and there is nobody alive when it was the vehicle of their youth or too decrepit to drive, the value falls off quickly.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

How rare is the rooftop mount AC option on a D500? I just purchased a 71 with what shows on the build card as factory roof mounted AC and was wondering if now this truck is work restoring instead of the restomod style build I was going to use it for.

Rooftop AC is not shown in the factory service manual and I have never seen or heard of one in the last 45 years of owning these trucks.
In dash factory AC was available starting in 69 and is quite common. Seems illogical that there would be a factory rooftop system when there was an in cab system already in production. Post a pic of the "build card" you have and the truck also.

[4gotn1]

I'll post a pic once it arrives. I'm without a trailer big enough for it right now and I'm waiting for them to deliver it. It shows for the D500 line roof top was an option and in the parts list for roof skins there is a line item for a roof panel with rooftop AC.

[4gotn1]

Here’s the pics with the build sticker.
Still don’t have it home yet.

[soopernaut]

It appears that that truck may be a 1973 and not a 1971. I've never seen a label like that on a 1961-1971 truck. That A/C may have been a later option, a medium duty truck option or it may be special equipment. If you look at the bottom of the label it says that special equipment has a 6 digit code, but your photo cuts off the code for the A/C. Does it have a 6 digit code before it?

[712edf]

Yes looks like 73 to me as well, but I can't clearly see the VIN.
My 75 W600 has a similar decal under the hood.

Bucky

[4gotn1]

That would explain why the VIN Decoder didn't match. I thought it may have just been a big truck thing and it was only for pickups. But going to the 1973 vin decoder everything works out. 1973 Canadian built D500 with a 318-3 and it must have been an early one with a # 001956. I just went off of what the guy told me and I haven't seen the title yet and have only spent about 15 minutes looking at it. I really am just using the body anyway so it didn't much matter to me what year it was. I have a buddy that is wanting me to keep the rooftop air after converting it to a pickup.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

You are aware that the floor is different in cabs 300 and up? Will cause problems if mounted on a std pickup frame.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

That factory roof liner looks awesome. They are usually rotted and there is no exact match available.

[nutz]

that is cool
wonder why they would do that if it was offered with a in cab
was it a box truck at one time

[soopernaut]

I'm still curious if that A/C unit was a factory option or a special order. When you get a chance, can you post the code to the left of A/C on the equipment ID sticker?

[4gotn1]

You are aware that the floor is different in cabs 300 and up? Will cause problems if mounted on a std pickup frame.

Yes, I'm aware. I just have to deal with it. I am currently working on a plymouth project that I removed the entire floor and have to build from scratch.
This truck is too good of a deal for one around here that isn't a rotten pile. Most around here are twice the money and in worse shape. This same yard had one about two years ago that I should have bought but all I got out of it was the 318-3 engine with 50k miles.

Plymouth pics
I've fabricated all the rockers as well

[4gotn1]

I'm still curious if that A/C unit was a factory option or a special order. When you get a chance, can you post the code to the left of A/C on the equipment ID sticker?

They are supposed to deliver it by next week sometime. I can get it then.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

The main differences are where the steering column penetrates the floor/firewall and the tranny hump has to be higher, otherwise it will hit the tranny. Or, lift the truck

[nutz]

nice fab work
nutz

[soopernaut]

I remembered to look in my 69-71 parts book, and although it is a bit hard to decipher the availability of some items, it appears that the Kysor roof A/C was an option on D400-600 trucks. The illustrations show the same parts that appear in your photos. I'm guessing it is a pretty rare option.

[4gotn1]

It was finally delivered. Here is the close up of the tag.
I will spend some time getting it cleaned up and see if she runs. Then will get some pics