A0 versus A1 defroster ducts

[Guruman]

So....

I'm considering swapping my A0 defroster duct for one of the clear ones from an A1. I found some parts online, on FleaBay and elsewhere but, I'm a bit baffled. It seems what I found is very short.

Are the A1 defroster ducts 2 parts? if so are they the same right and left? Anything else to consider to make this swap/upgrade?

 

[wheelspinner]

No. They are one piece. But save your money and modify yours. Pretty easy if you have a mild level of fab skills

 

[Guruman]

here's one I'm talking about:

2540-01-560-3955 HVAC Defrost Duct Assembly FMTV 12422969-001 ⋆ DP Equipment LLC

New, 2540-01-560-3955, HVAC Defrost Duct Assembly, M1080A1 FMTV, 12422969-001, T1RA4

dpequip.net

the description says it's only 34-3/4″ long

But then I see stuff like this and it's NOT 35 inches, but is definitely a FMTV/LMTV defroster duct.:



I'm missing something. Can someone enlighten me? Are there 3 version of these, one that's solid, one that split into a drivers and passenger side with the windows, and yet another that's a single, full-width part with windows?

I saw the Helicool guy fab up a replacement using some aluminum trim, which was pretty cool, but I'm kind of liking the kitchiness of the windows.

My fab skills are OK, but the older I get the more I value my free time. I have to run everything through the filter of "How much of my valuable (to me anyway) free time will it take?".

 

[TomTime]

What I have found is that there are one piece and two piece defrost duct.
The short ones you mentioned are for the trucks that have the gun turret and need two. When the turret and weapon mounts are placed on top there is a support brace that goes on the inside of the windshield, from the top middle of the roof to the middle/center of the front dash, to support the extra weigh. One of the defrosters goes on either side of the support brace.
Of course the one piece is for the trucks without the turret and weapon mount.

If I'm wrong, someone let me know...

 

[Guruman]

Oh. OK.

Thanks @TomTime that makes some sense. I didn't think about not all of the trucks having the extra brace, mine does.

So my remaining question is for the two halves, are they the same? or do I need to find a specific right and left section?

 

[TomTime]

here's one I'm talking about:

2540-01-560-3955 HVAC Defrost Duct Assembly FMTV 12422969-001 ⋆ DP Equipment LLC

New, 2540-01-560-3955, HVAC Defrost Duct Assembly, M1080A1 FMTV, 12422969-001, T1RA4

dpequip.net

the description says it's only 34-3/4″ long

But then I see stuff like this and it's NOT 35 inches, but is definitely a FMTV/LMTV defroster duct.:

View attachment 860911

I'm missing something. Can someone enlighten me? Are there 3 version of these, one that's solid, one that split into a drivers and passenger side with the windows, and yet another that's a single, full-width part with windows?

I saw the Helicool guy fab up a replacement using some aluminum trim, which was pretty cool, but I'm kind of liking the kitchiness of the windows.

My fab skills are OK, but the older I get the more I value my free time. I have to run everything through the filter of "How much of my valuable (to me anyway) free time will it take?".

Yeah that is the one that is in my truck.

There was a person on ebay, I believe last month that had several of the long defrost duct that were NOS. I looked, must have sold them.

You could buy two of the short one and a support brace...that would work and have extra roof support. Just throwing it out there...

Good Luck!

 

[TomTime]

Oh. OK.

Thanks @TomTime that makes some sense. I didn't think about not all of the trucks having the extra brace, mine does.

So my remaining question is for the two halves, are they the same? or do I need to find a specific right and left section?

If you have the brace then you need the two piece.

I believe they are the same for left and right...

 

[coachgeo]

Mine one piece very flexible sheet metal with two piece of Plexiglas glued(?) at back of openings in sheet metal. There is about a 3" section in center of sheet metal that is notched it to clear the center cab brace brace.

 

[19Detail]

Not to be the ghetto guy, but I used aluminum flat stock and it works well enough. Helicools Helipad improved on it in one of his videos.

 

[Guruman]

Not to be the ghetto guy, but I used aluminum flat stock and it works well enough. Helicools Helipad improved on it in one of his videos.

yeah, I saw Helicool's vid. My first thought was that I'd probably beat up the thin metal he used and it'd look like crap in short order.

I like what you did with the flat aluminum.... I might have to give that a go.

 

[19Detail]

yeah, I saw Helicool's vid. My first thought was that I'd probably beat up the thin metal he used and it'd look like crap in short order.

I like what you did with the flat aluminum.... I might have to give that a go.

I keep thinking I will put some type of fins underneath the flat stock to move the air more towards the sides, but it hasn't been enough of an issue to get serious attention. I love the extra viewing angle, but I am slowly filling the dash with crap, so.....

 

[Mullaney]

I keep thinking I will put some type of fins underneath the flat stock to move the air more towards the sides, but it hasn't been enough of an issue to get serious attention. I love the extra viewing angle, but I am slowly filling the dash with crap, so.....

.
An awful lot like the first Chevy with a supercharger on it. Hot Rod driver with a blind spot that occupied about a quarter of the space in front and to the right of me. Pretty amazing that at seventeen I never had a crash because of it...

"Stuff" in your truck window could cause the same situation.

 

[19Detail]

.
An awful lot like the first Chevy with a supercharger on it. Hot Rod driver with a blind spot that occupied about a quarter of the space in front and to the right of me. Pretty amazing that at seventeen I never had a crash because of it...

"Stuff" in your truck window could cause the same situation.

The stuff doesn't generally cover more than the original defroster did, but I replaced the defroster to get the extra view and now I am covering it back up. One thing I don't like is the factory installed blind spot by the passenger door that you can fit an M1 Abrams in. I tell people who ride with me that they are not a passenger, they are the A Driver and they better act like one... : )

 

[Ronmar]

If you close the gap between the front edge of the plate and the windshield to the right gap so it builds a little presure underneath the plate, the air will spread out along the width of the windshield seeking the lower pressure passage without anything else under the plate… you want the area of the gap between plate and windshield to be slightly less than the port that feeds defrost air into that space down in front of the dash. I recall figuring just about 1/4” of gap between plate and glass should give me pretty even distribution along the entire glass. Building a little pressure will also give you a little more air velocity to force air up the windshield…

 

[Third From Texas]

The clear ones are merely the old ones with some cutouts and plexi attached.

So if you have your stock A0 deflector....