The biggest hassle with fitting a/c is the mounting bracket on the engine for the compressor pump (unless you are running a watercooled engine as they are pretty easy to find for those). You might find you need a bigger condensor (or use 2) than modern watercooled car uses as on them its ususally mounted in the front grill infront of or next to the radiator so is in better airflow. Hoses and condensor(s) are easy to mount/fit and theres plenty of firms selling parts for kitcars that sell the vents. You just need to make a box for the evaporator. Fitted one to a diesel T25 about 5 or 6 years ago using mostly parts off a gti (as they share the same style engine block so brackets fit ). The vents and finding a space behind the dash for the evaporator were the hardest parts.
Heres a great DIY how to thread on thesamba.com: http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=535444&highlight=air conditioning True its on a T25 but the engine is in the same place.
Just a thought does it have to be mounted to the engine or could you modify it so it can be ran off a electric motor so it could then be run off hook up when parked up as well?
I'd also like to know the above, if a 12v AC compressed existed I'd certainly buy one... But I can't find anything for searching!
There are a few 12V stand alone aircon units but they arent cheap either....I've lost the link to them though
I've managed to source for free a Vauxhall Corsa condenser and drier with sme pipe work. Hoping to get a Corsa AC heater box too. Just need to get my AHU TDI compressor bracket and compressor and get playing. All while I'm 1000 miles away from home :-D. I'm using the corsa one because the condenser is long and narrow as it sits mostly under the bumper bar. I need it that way as I can't have it between the chassis rails as my radiator is there! S I'm gunna put it between the chassis rail and inner sill...
My Bay had Air Con from new but the previous owner removed it. There are 2 types of kit DPD or CCool I have both here, I have 2 York compressors one is seized the other is good. I plan on fitting one kit on mine. I'll probably sell the stuff left over. If your serious Dale I could send you the stuff & you can work out how to fit it, once fitted If your happy we can do a deal. I'm planning on ditching the original compressor & fitting a new one off a later VW.
I was browsing for something other than AC and came across this stuff! Interesting reading! http://forums.kombiclub.com/showthread.php?30494-Rocking-Horse-Poo/page3