Ara A/c

[Lason]

Hey guys, I just scored my first Z. A '73 240 with no rust in great condition. Anyway my question is regarding the ARA A/C setup in it. I did some searching and googling and havent figured it out but why would my car have a factory A/C panel with the sliders and blower control AND a ARA pod next to your right knee with a knob and toggle for hot/cold? I plan on taking it out eventually for a vintage air unit or something as Im swapping in a smallblock in the next few weeks but I was just curious.

[qwik240z]

Hey guys, I just scored my first Z. A '73 240 with no rust in great condition. Anyway my question is regarding the ARA A/C setup in it. I did some searching and googling and havent figured it out but why would my car have a factory A/C panel with the sliders and blower control AND a ARA pod next to your right knee with a knob and toggle for hot/cold? I plan on taking it out eventually for a vintage air unit or something as Im swapping in a smallblock in the next few weeks but I was just curious.

 

 

The 240Z never had Factory A/C. They did have dealer installed A/C made by ARA and others. They worked with the stock Datsun heater assembly and had a control switch like you mention. It was not a bad system for the time but the newer VA stuff is much better if you want to have good, cold A/C in your 240Z. I have the ARA unit but I am about to replace it with a VA unit soon. There is a thread about how to do the swap going on now. Do a search.

 

Good Luck.

[Lason]

Yeah I have been following along with the vintage air install. I jsut thought it was odd that this car had 2 sets of controls. Thanks for the info though!