At wits end...Deuce heater ducting

[CommoChief]

This topic may have been covered but I’ve searched for several hours and can’t find it.

Does anyone have any nifty ideas on how to attach the drivers side defroster hose onto the defroster vent? I’ve succeeded in turning my large hand into raw meat trying to get to the attaching point. I really hope I don’t have to tear the dash apart.

Thanks in advance...Bill

 

[frank8003]

Measure the ID of the hose and the OD of where it is supposed to (when nees) slides onto.
The hose has got to be larger than the thing it is supposed to slide onto.
Mine where shrunk. Boy only fifty years old she was and shrank!
"They don't make stuff like they used to" .......It has got to be bigger .
Get the part number from the TM and put that into PartTarget and it will tell
you the exact size and length it is supposed to be.

 

[CommoChief]

Measure the ID of the hose and the OD of where it is supposed to (when nees) slides onto.
The hose has got to be larger than the thing it is supposed to slide onto.
Mine where shrunk. Boy only fifty years old she was and shrank!
"They don't make stuff like they used to" .......It has got to be bigger .
Get the part number from the TM and put that into PartTarget and it will tell
you the exact size and length it is supposed to be.

I have the hose I just can’t get to the attachment point, which is up and behind the steering column.

 

[runk]

It was a long time ago, but I have a vague memory of opening up the center gauge panel ?
I looked and there's no useful hints in the -24 TM.
Good luck !

 

[CommoChief]

This topic may have been covered but I’ve searched for several hours and can’t find it.

Does anyone have any nifty ideas on how to attach the drivers side defroster hose onto the defroster vent? I’ve succeeded in turning my large hand into raw meat trying to get to the attaching point. I really hope I don’t have to tear the dash apart.

Thanks in advance...Bill
[/QUOT

It was a long time ago, but I have a vague memory of opening up the center gauge panel ?
I looked and there's no useful hints in the -24 TM.
Good luck !

Thanks runk...I did not think of accessing the vent from that side. I will give your strategy a shot.

 

[Mullaney]

Thanks runk...I did not think of accessing the vent from that side. I will give your strategy a shot.

.
CommoChief

Remember to DISCONNECT the batteries before you open that gauge panel.
Just in case...
Don't want hot sparks jumping around on the dash!

 

[US6x4]

I had to try and thread or twist mine on since the reinforcement wire is spiral like a bolt thread. Getting the wire tip onto the duct opening, then twisting the hose on and then attaching the other end to the diverter box later seemed to work but it wasn't easy. Tore up my hands real good and while working on my back on the floor with my feet up on the seat I got stuck. I ended up jambed between the floor and the t-case shifter (M813) with the winch handle somehow going up my shirt and into my shirt sleeve. I almost had to call for help...

 

[CommoChief]

I had to try and thread or twist mine on since the reinforcement wire is spiral like a bolt thread. Getting the wire tip onto the duct opening, then twisting the hose on and then attaching the other end to the diverter box later seemed to work but it wasn't easy. Tore up my hands real good and while working on my back on the floor with my feet up on the seat I got stuck. I ended up jambed between the floor and the t-case shifter (M813) with the winch handle somehow going up my shirt and into my shirt sleeve. I almost had to call for help...

Yeah I hear you. Out of all the projects my son and I have done on 3 deuces, the drivers side defroster vent is the poorest design we’ve seen. I could not lay down like that - I’d probably have to remove the seats.

 

[frank8003]

wear you good gloves. We ain't supposed to get hurt workin on our stuff.

 

[Barrman]

Center gauge panel out of the way is how I did mine. I also have a memory of pulling the glove box to do the passenger side.

 

[CommoChief]

Center gauge panel out of the way is how I did mine. I also have a memory of pulling the glove box to do the passenger side.

Hey thanks Barrman. I did remove the glove box for the passenger side and that was a breeze. However I’ve struggling with the drivers side. Consensus is to move the gauge panel - that’ll be my next attempt.

 

[ldmack3]

Even with the glove box, gage panel and light switch out it was still bear to get it hooked up. Sure hope it works worth a darn.

 

[USAFSS-ColdWarrior]

Have you considered recruiting the 10-12 year-old kid down the street? You know, the one with the still-small hands?

Jus' sayin'.

 

[Mullaney]

Have you considered recruiting the 10-12 year-old kid down the street? You know, the one with the still-small hands?

Jus' sayin'.

.
Might be a heck of a plan.
Small and more flexible might help!

Who knows, you might even get somebody young excited about these big green trucks.

 

[Jeepsinker]

Man, I have some bad news for you... my hands aren't that big and even with the entire dashboard out I still had hell with it. And even the brand new ducting is so small that it's nearly impossible to get on the boss. It's just a very frustrating fight. Heating the duct helps, and so does some petroleum jelly on the boss.

 

[CommoChief]

Man, I have some bad news for you... my hands aren't that big and even with the entire dashboard out I still had hell with it. And even the brand new ducting is so small that it's nearly impossible to get on the boss. It's just a very frustrating fight. Heating the duct helps, and so does some petroleum jelly on the boss.

Jeepsinker thanks for your disheartening yet honest information. I may just insert a piece of smaller tubing/pipe into the boss with a 90 degree angle and attach the vent hose to that. The hose should not have to be tight - as long as it’s in the area the fan will push the air up towards the vent/windshield.

 

[Jeepsinker]

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but there's just no easy way around it. Your 90° fitting may help, but it also may just interfere with your cluster, cluster wiring, and tachometer and speedo cables.

 

[CommoChief]

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful, but there's just no easy way around it. Your 90° fitting may help, but it also may just interfere with your cluster, cluster wiring, and tachometer and speedo cables.

UPDATE: my son, 6’2”, 280 lbs, had removed the seats to paint the interior of the cab (he is doing an awesome job - looks beautiful) and got upside down with his feet up the back wall of the cab, and was able to get his big hands on the duct hose and pushed it partially onto the attachment for the defroster vent. He could not stay in that position too long so before the seat goes back in we may take a stab at installing a clamp but it is wedged up in there well and should not move.

Thanks to everyone’s input and advice. We’ve always been impressed with the ease of working on these rigs but what a wild design on this (what you’d expect to be simple) heater vent install.

 

[CommoChief]

I had to try and thread or twist mine on since the reinforcement wire is spiral like a bolt thread. Getting the wire tip onto the duct opening, then twisting the hose on and then attaching the other end to the diverter box later seemed to work but it wasn't easy. Tore up my hands real good and while working on my back on the floor with my feet up on the seat I got stuck. I ended up jambed between the floor and the t-case shifter (M813) with the winch handle somehow going up my shirt and into my shirt sleeve. I almost had to call for help...

US6X4 read entry #18 below...

 

[US6x4]

Nice work! I'm sure your son had some choice words to describe the effort required. Even though you can't see it, in your mind you'll appreciate having it hooked up - especially when it gets cold again. It's 111° at my house right now so thinking about my heater makes my grimmice...