AC Hose Kit (1981-87) C10 Chevy - Sanden HD- K10801

What’s Included in this kit: 

• Hoses: #10 suction hose, #8 pressure hose - Hoses are pre-cut to correct lengths and crimped with a electric/hydraulic crimping machine
• New accumulator/drier
• New fixed orifice tube
• Trinary safety switch
• 40 amp fan relay

Other Requirements:

Your factory condenser

You’ll also need one of the following Kwik Performance AC compressor brackets:

Kwik Performance AC brackets using Sanden HD 508/709 AC compressors:

LS wide mount:

• K10470   Corvette spacing
• K10471   F-body and GTO spacing
• K10472   Truck/LS3 Camaro spacing

L83/86 Gen 5 Trucks:

• K10702 (2014-2019)

Big Block Chevy M4 System:

• K10654 (P-series PS Pump)
• K10655 (Type-2 PS Pump)

C10 Sanden HD AC Hose Installation Instructions

C10 Liquid line installation instructions

Kwik Performance AC System Trinary Switch Wiring Instructions (YouTube)

Trinary Switch wiring diagram (pdf)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Why the difference between the 1973-80 kit and the 1981-87 kit?  I thought all Squarebodies were about the same.

A: GM made a slight hood and front fender design change in 1981.  The slope of the hood changed and headlights changed from round to rectangular.  This required a radiator core support design change along with a new condenser.  Both Kwik kits can use the same aftermarket condenser but the mounting brackets are different.

Q: How can I tell if my 1981-87 condenser is usable?

A: If your C10 had a working AC system before you started your engine and/or AC compressor upgrade and you kept it capped off during your build, you may be OK.  The later condensers are more efficient than the early versions though still not as efficient as the aftermarket version we offer.

Q: The accumulator/drier in your kit doesn’t look exactly like my original.  Will it still work?

A: The version we supply will connect just fine to your evaporator.  However, we chose to supply a later part number because the fitting that connects to the compressor is in a much more convenient location and makes for cleaner hose routing.

Q: Do I need to add oil to the compressor or the rest of my AC system?

A: The genuine Sanden compressors we sell come with oil.  However, you may need to add oil because of new hoses and a new condenser. Here’s a link to a document we created to help you determine how much oil you may need:  https://www.kwikperf.com/blogs/news/kwik-performance-ac-installer-s-guide

Q: I see you include a trinary switch.  What exactly does it do?

A: “Trinary” indicates it can have up to three functions.  First, it is a low pressure safety switch.  If there isn’t enough pressure in the system, it won’t allow the compressor to engage.  Second, it is also a high pressure safety switch, cutting off the compressor if it builds too much pressure.  And third, it can also be wired to send a signal to engage electric fans when the system pressure reaches a certain level.  Our installation instructions show how to wire as either a trinary or a binary switch.

Q: What if my truck didn’t come with factory AC or the system is in really poor condition. What are my choices?

A: Not to worry. We also offer complete Vintage Air systems with all new components and controls.  This will certainly give you the highest level of comfort and very well may be more cost-effective than trying to renovate your existing system.  Either way, we’re happy to help.

Click here for more information: https://www.kwikperf.com/pages/vintage-air