experience with old/new add on heaters

Not sure if this is the place to post, but I am looking for experiences with the old "add on" (antique?) (harrison?) heaters you see out of the old willys wagons

and/or

any aftermarket add on heater.

I am planning a full ground up hardcore rebuild of our 83 -7, planning dana 44s and a full fiberglass tub (I'm done fighting rust), custom rollcage/intergrated seatmounts, YJ springover, etc.
(already running a '91 fuel injected 4.0, t18, 1980 short shaft dana 300, 2.5" rancho, 32" BFGMTs, 1pc rear axleshafts, etc)

I am thinking of replacing the complete stock heater assembly in order to simplify the dashboard, and save space under the dash. I am thinking of a custom stainless dash with a near centered glovebox (ours is currently useless cause the rollcage is in the way...)

Do these old and/or new heaters put out enough heat? Do they have enough airflow to work as a defroster?

For those familiar with me, yes I am stationed in Hawaii now, but when I retire (still a ways off, I grant you) we will be back somewhere in the Heartland.

Thanks in advance!

 

not familiar w/harrison heater, would that be similar to the southwind?

 

http://www.vernco.com/id579_m.htm
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/Heater.html

Most of my research has been reading item descriptions on ebay, and there is some heater stuff on the CJ3B and vernco website.

From what I gather the southwind actually burns gas for heat?! Seems unsafe to me.

The Harrison is more or less a complete stand alone unit that includes the heater core and blower fan and bolts under the dash. I have seen a couple different types and I *think* Harrison made heaters for other vehicles besides Jeep.

Searching on ebay has turned up a bunch of different "stand alone, bolt under the dash" heaters from old cars/trucks. I think many of these would have a 6 volt motor, but I figure that wouldn't be that hard to change.

My goal would be getting rid of the heater control push/pull cables from the later (83) dash, gaining space behind the dash by eliminating the factory monstrosity of a heater, retaining the factory level of heat output (I have converted it to the Chevy fan, puts on some AIR), and keep the defroster at least close to factory level performance.

 

southwind burns gas. usually see'em in flatties and 30's/40's cars and trucks.