M813 cab heater

[Iceman3005]

Ok, if this needs to be in the modding section, then sorry. move if need be. I did a search and it seems that not many have asked this question. So here it goes.

I would like comments, opinions, recommendations for a cab heater. I see there are some kits out there, but not sure what I should do. Right now the radiator is removed and a new one is on it's way. So if I go with a coolant style cab heater then now would be the time to install. If I go with a fuel fired heater, then I can install it at any time that I choose.

My M813 did not come equipped with any kind of heater / winterization kit. So I need HEAT! Heat is good in the winter time. No heat is bad. I don't like to have to look like the abominable snow man and can't move my arms like Randy in the Christmas story. Kinda hard to shift if my arms can't move! I would have to roll down the window because my arms would be sticking straight out to the side, then I would be really cold!

So any help with the heater recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[gimpyrobb]

Tough call. Ive heard the coolant heaters are barely enough to keep the frost off and 5he fuel fired heaters are way overkill. I guess I'd be inclined toward too much heat rather than not enough, just keep in mi d not to use the defrost duct till the cab is warm cause they crack the windshields!

 

[simp5782]

There is a unit from Mobile Climate Control that is heat and AC but the heat is 48,000btus It will burn you out on Low nearly. I sweat in mine even when its -10 outside. There are several units available on ebay. You could always run a dual system which I have thought about to keep my feet warm since mine is in the upper cab. Just a low blower for the floor area.

 

[Iceman3005]

There is a unit from Mobile Climate Control that is heat and AC but the heat is 48,000btus It will burn you out on Low nearly. I sweat in mine even when its -10 outside. There are several units available on ebay. You could always run a dual system which I have thought about to keep my feet warm since mine is in the upper cab. Just a low blower for the floor area.

So I am looking at the MCC (mobile climate control) unit 13-4506. Does this use the engine coolant or is it self contained? Wes, I watched your youtube video about the A/C side and see that it does require a compressor, etc. So I am assuming that the heat side would require hot water or coolant to provide heat?

 

[simp5782]

Yes it has a heater core inside of it.

 

[Iceman3005]

Yes it has a heater core inside of it.

Thank you for the PM, couple of great idea's!

 

[Iceman3005]

Heaters arrived! Just waiting on the radiator to come in the mail. Also got my coolant.

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[74M35A2]

Optimum solution is to use both. Fuel fired for immediate, and hot water type to maintain.

Can always just use the window or vent as a thermostat for the fuel fired. They are the cat's pajamas, when they work.

 

[Iceman3005]

Getting the heater cores/blowers installed. Installing all new heater hoses, and connections.

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[Iceman3005]

On a side note while doing all the heaters, radiator, I noticed that the air cleaner boots where deteriated pretty bad. So got some new ones!

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[dmetalmiki]

That looks a very tidy installation.
All the trucks that are in Europe seen to come with a cab heater installed. The one in the M45 530C fire truck is the 'Biz'..It has two fans and is more than adequate no matter the outside temperature. It is a water heater. (Huge).

 

[Iceman3005]

Pic

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[Iceman3005]

Pics

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[Iceman3005]

Air cleaner hoses.

 

[Iceman3005]

Hoses.

 

[Iceman3005]

Made some progress. Radiator installed. New air filter installed. New upper radiator hose, clamps. Lower radiator hose will be a pain in the butt!








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[Iceman3005]

Got almost all the heater hoses done. Prep fluid is in the engine, radiator.





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[Iceman3005]

Anyone know which wires do what on the mobile climate control?






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[Iceman3005]

Bracket for main heater is done. Not sure if I like how much room it takes up. Might end up installing it in the bed and run ducts into cab.






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[Iceman3005]

Drained the prep fluid yesterday, poured in the waterless coolant. Fired it up, came up to temp. Did a couple of test drives. Temp gauge read 200 for most of the trips, but then it would start to bounce around then spike to 240. Really made me nervous. So I went and bought an infrared heat temp pen so I could determine if the gauge was bad or it was really overheating.

While my friend was watching temp gauge I pointed the pen at varous spots on the head, coolant crossover tube, thermostat block, radiator, etc. Temp pen read 190 at the hottest point I could find, which was at the back of the head. Thermostat block read 180, oil cooler section read 115, top of radiator was 140, bottom of radiator was 50! So we determined the gauge, sending unit is faulty.

The A/C, heater combo unit was just to big. So I will be mounting that in the front of the bed and run some duct work into the cab. I will build a box and install some foam insulation around it to keep the heat in or the cold air in depending on what time of year it is, and to protect it from objects hitting it causing damage.

I will also be buying another one of the small heater units like the one I put under the dash. I will install that one at the back of the cab on the floor.