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Heater Control Panel Help

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by mrtii, Apr 25, 2019.

  1. Apr 25, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    I have a very early 1972 model cj5, and trying to get info on the differences between the early and later version of the 72 thru 1975, The factory 1972 TSM provides nothing to help. Barney's jeep parts provides a very high quality replacement, but wondering what cables are used in this model and are all 72-75 systems the same, thanks
     
  2. Apr 25, 2019
    Jeff Kline

    Jeff Kline Member

    North Central PA
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    Crappy Picture but this is a 74

    23 Heater Controls.JPG
     
  3. Apr 25, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    '72 heater controls are more like a '71, possibly the same. Search for pictures of that type of controls. The panel shown above was introduced in 1973, and is definitely wrong for a '72.
     
  4. Apr 25, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    Thank you for the above I have attached a pic of my controller. I have seen pics of 71 deffinetly different was mine for all of 1972 production any ideas
     

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  5. Apr 26, 2019
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2022 Sponsor

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    And I thought getting the “right” parts was tough for a 74 that looks like a one year part to me good luck.
     
  6. Apr 26, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    What's wrong with the parts you have?

    Looking at your picture, I'd guess that the controls work the same as the later models, except for the absence of the toggle switch for fan speed. I'd also guess that you rotate one of the knobs (Air Control?) to switch the fan speed. As implied above, you'll have a hard time finding an exact replacement for these controls, new or used. Likely you could switch to the '73-75 plastic panel, but the knobs won't match your dash, the parts will be expensive if available as repops, and you'll still have to understand function of the heater controls. Function should be the same as a '73-75, and if you read the heater section in the '74 TSM at oljeep.com and look at the heater, operation of the cables should be apparent.

    Also, the main problem with the plastic panel is breakage. I'd think your controls would be fine, considering the panel you have looks like steel.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2019
  7. Apr 26, 2019
    fesser

    fesser Napa, CA 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Napa, CA
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    FWIW, yours looks exactly like the one in a 72 I have here. My 75's looks exactly like the 74 picture above. Not sure when the 71-72 change happened.
     
  8. Apr 26, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    In doing some research I have been told that the switch came in mid 72 model to the end of 75 model yr. I also found that the control for my early 72 was taken from the 1959 thru 1964 model cj5 as a interim till they had what they installed was ready, told that this was typical jeep.
     
  9. Apr 26, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Use up inventory then change over. Seems about right.
     
  10. Apr 26, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    The switch from steel to a plastic panel? Definitely not. I was there - the '72s had their own control panel but they had the intermediate heater. The plastic panel was new for 1973, along with the soft-feel knobs and chrome bezels for the instruments. '72 has hard plastic knobs and black bezels.
     
  11. Apr 26, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    The 72 with the hard plastic knobs, must have been a transition in mid yr then, does anyone have a pic of the late 72 design, would like to see that. Mine has a all medal knobs and body . Fan speed switch and heat control were combined. Thanks for all the comments, helpful with understanding what Jeep was doing
     
  12. Apr 26, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    Sorry - hard plastic knobs on the dash, not on the heater controls. '73 introduced the soft-feel knobs for both the dash and the heater controls. Seems very likely the chrome knobs you have ran for all of 1972. I don't think you are missing any possibilities.

    Try to find a parts book that covers Jeep for 1972. You also might find a picture of the CJ dash in sales literature.
     
  13. Apr 26, 2019
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    The all metal (chrome) knobs and base plate (pictured in post#4) is from a late '50s CJ or wagon/truck. Certainly not original on an intermediate. Those early controls were pretty simple and durable. Around '63(?), they went the the vacuum controls with push buttons.
    -Donny
     
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  14. Apr 27, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    Thank you for all the above, interesting a one model yr part, should be no problem finding new parts, I will try to rehab it, for it is complete, just 40 plus yrs old
     
  15. Apr 28, 2019
    rik

    rik New Member

    Chicago
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    I don't know if this will help any, but here's the 4 paragraphs and one crappy photo that the 1972 owner's manual devotes to the heater... heater_controls.jpg
     
  16. Apr 28, 2019
    Oldriginal86

    Oldriginal86 Member

    Pasadena, Md.
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    That’s the same heater controls in my 1961.
     
  17. Apr 28, 2019
    Chilly

    Chilly Active Member

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    Is your purpose to keep it original, or make your heater work? Generic push-pull cables, a switch, and a length of angle iron will accomplish the latter.
     
  18. Apr 30, 2019
    mrtii

    mrtii 1972 cj51986 cj7 2022 Sponsor

    gilroy, California
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    I am in the process of rehabbing the controls and cables. In this process I have found that the knobs are stainless steel as is the clips. Also the cable is stainless and brass connector at the steel support bracket. This appears to be a very durable design, but probably impossible to find NOS anywhere. The 73-75 design appears to be the opposite as to durability and quality of materials. I have confirmed that my 72 was a control from the 1950's thru early 60's,. The last question when did they make the switch over, I have heard different theory's as to what month in 1972. I have learned much from all the comments, thank you all , I will post if I find out more. Cheers for now
     
  19. Apr 30, 2019
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    I think you are making too much of this. It's not surprising to me that Jeep used off-the-shelf parts to finish the heater installation in the '72s. The 1972 model year was a major change for the CJ, with many and significant changes, and likely the CJ-specific dash controls did not make it into the initial year's offering.

    It seems extremely likely the change to the controls with soft knobs was made with the introduction of the 1973 model year cars, ie anything with a "J3" VIN, and no earlier. Also, if you find one account or example vehicle that contradicts this, I'd think it's more likely that something else like a later shell on an earlier chassis, or funny business with title swapping, has created that contradictory example. Jeeps are bastagized with parts from multiple years quite a lot...

    Realize that the production of '72s ended close to mid-year in 1972. This was routine for the car makers in that era, when the new cars were revealed in the fall (around the time school started, and around the time when the new TV shows were premiered... maybe not coincidental, considering how much of the makers' budgets went to advertising!) Summer was the slow season for car sales. The makers would halt the line in mid-summer and retool for the new model year. This provided enough time to retool and build inventory so every dealership could reveal the new cars at the official date in September. There are lots of '73 Jeeps out there with '72 build dates, just as there are plenty of '72s with '71 build dates. So I would accept that I had the proper parts for a '72 and be proud.
     
  20. Apr 30, 2019
    PGHCJ5

    PGHCJ5 I smell something broken...

    'yinzertahn
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    My 1973 has a delivery date of October, 1972 and it has the heater controls posted in Jeff Kline's #2 post FWIW. It has a “J3” VIN as Tim mentioned above.
     
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2019
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