retrofitting heater unit using the backyard method

[Monster Man]

hey all, interested in buying a heater unit with the fan and heater core, what exactly would I need besides that to make it functional? Doesn't have to be pretty, doesn't have to be NOS parts or correct per restoration standards, I just want a heater that will distribute some hot air to the cab. The ducting and all that is unimportant, I just need to get heat inside the cab and if it only works half as efficient, that's fine since it's less than laf the price of the whole kit.

How does the heater normally enter the cab? Is there a panel that needs to be removed or modified? Hope I don't have to cut any holes....

 

[Longhunter7]

MM!

You can buy the Military heater system from Colemans Surplus for about $200.00!

It has most of what you will need EXCEPT the mounting bracket to mount the heater core unit!

The web site in your post about the bob-tail Deuce has the mounting bracket, $55.00!

If you don't care about staying Military, then you can check with Memphis Equipment. They sell a civilian heater that will fit!

 

[Desert Rat]

MM;
Another option depends upon your sheet metal forming skills. Just take a heater core from your local auto parts store and form a sheet metal box around it, don't forget to make a cover too, put a fan motor on one end and a vent hose on the other and PRESTO CHANGEO you have heat once you hook up the lines to the cooling system and a switch to the fan motor (24V that is).

 

[Monster Man]

Originally posted by Desert Rat

MM;
Another option depends upon your sheet metal forming skills. Just take a heater core from your local auto parts store and form a sheet metal box around it, don't forget to make a cover too, put a fan motor on one end and a vent hose on the other and PRESTO CHANGEO you have heat once you hook up the lines to the cooling system and a switch to the fan motor (24V that is).

yeah, I was thinking about that for sure. Is there any special heater core I should use?
Do you happen to know what size in/outlets I'd use, it's 5/8" right? And about hooking it up to the coolant system- are there takeoffs capped off somewhere or do I split off using t's on existing lines or what?

 

[Recovry4x4]

Or.... you could call Sam Winer in Akron OH and get a NOS 28 volt heater assy from an unknown vehicle for $45. Toss it on the hump, run two coolant lines and switched power and you got heat! Email is winermotor@aol.com or call 330-628-4881 and ask for Rober Zetzer. Its probably an M151 heater but as long as coolant flows through it and it has the 28v blower, you got heat!

 

[Monster Man]

Originally posted by Recovry4x4

Or.... you could call Sam Winer in Akron OH and get a NOS 28 volt heater assy from an unknown vehicle for $45. Toss it on the hump, run two coolant lines and switched power and you got heat! Email is winermotor@aol.com or call 330-628-4881 and ask for Rober Zetzer. Its probably an M151 heater but as long as coolant flows through it and it has the 28v blower, you got heat!

cool, that sounds like ane ays route. I'f I'm outbid on eBay for the m35 heater I'll do that- the concerns I have with any heater come down to how I route the coolant lines through the firewall, and how what do I take power off of for the switch?

 

[Recovry4x4]

As far as coolant lines you will need to check the firewall for some plug you can pop out. The stock heater mounts under the hoof and you have to knock a big hole in the rirewall above the clutch pedal for the duct to bring the heat in. If you ever get around to buying one of those add on low air lights, you wil see just how easy it is to steal power elsewhere. Basically its just a Y with an extra lead. Need to look at a schemtaic to figure out which line is best. Could always run it right off the battery and up through the floor too!

 

[Desert Rat]

MM;
Check out my thread on the wiring a fuse in with the heater and horn. I have pics that should help you with the heater location and where to put the hose in and so on.

 

[Monster Man]

Originally posted by Recovry4x4

Or.... you could call Sam Winer in Akron OH and get a NOS 28 volt heater assy from an unknown vehicle for $45. Toss it on the hump, run two coolant lines and switched power and you got heat! Email is winermotor@aol.com or call 330-628-4881 and ask for Rober Zetzer. Its probably an M151 heater but as long as coolant flows through it and it has the 28v blower, you got heat!

thanks for the lead, I'm contacting him as we speak. There was one unit on eBay, and I had my bid in days ago, and of course the snipers come at the last minute. But it was funny cause there were two snipers that came with a couple minutes left and got in a bidding war with each other, then with 14 seconds left a third sniper stole it all for $103! <img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"><img src="emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif" alt="Approve"> haha Good luck, that's a bit rich for my tastes for just a core and blower motor