Is there a trick to hooking up the driver's side AC duct to the outlet? I don't really want to pull the dash, so is there another way?
Don't know if you can do it with the dash bezel fully on (unless you're an octopus). You can get to it if you pull the bezel forward a few inches. Disconnect the duct from the bottom (where it attaches to the plastic duct). You can then pull it out far enough to hook it up (I like to use a zip tie to hold it on) without pulling the dash completely out. Still have to pull dash pad, drop steering wheel, disconnect dash screws, etc., to pull the dash bezel forward, but should be able to get to it without pulling all the wires and disconnecting the speedo cable. Might be a way to do it from below without pulling the dash forward, but it is pretty darn tight in there. Know anybody with really skinny, double-jointed arms?
After looking up under my dash it makes me wonder how it was assembled on the line back in the day. Only thing I can think is that it was a complete unit inserted into the car and welded in place.
Thanks - Yeah, it had to be on before the dash was put in the car. The lower connection is supposed to have a spring on it too, that should be fun. I almost had it last night but it would not go. I'll try again today. It only goes on about 1/4 inch and there are "bumps" it goes over to hold it on. I'm using the OEM rubber paper hose which is kind of sticky.
Yeah, the vinyl hoses are a lot easier to put on and take off, but I don't trust them to stay on without a zip tie.
Aaaahhh got it! The trick, at least for me, is to start with a piece of hose as short as possible. Measure where the lower hard plastic piece will end and cut it so there's 3/4" of an inch overlap. (Sorry, did not measure mine) Why not cut it after it's on? Thats what I had planned BUT it won't work because you need to hit the vent at exactly the same angle as the back. The hose will only go on if its straight on. Notice the angle in the picture above. Its pointed way over towards the fender and down a bit. If the hose is too long you can't bend it enough to make that turn. I have the driver's seat out and laid on my back so I could slip the hose in from underneath the dash. Check that the hose end is cut clean and is not folded in. Also, I cheated a bit and took out the adjustable vanes so I could see what was going on from the dash side. Carefully bend the top of the vane housing down until the top pivot comes out of the hole. Work the top forward until it pops out. Careful because the bottom pivot holds the thumbwheel that closes the vent. There is a plastic washer under the wheel. When the vent comes out quickly put a small bolt in the hole to hold everything until you replace the vanes. And I'm not saying this is necessary, so if you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't.
Glad you got it on. Yeah, you can't do this with the vinyl hoses as they just flop everywhere, and when you push them forward, they squish like an accordion.
