Heater upgrade complete

All,

Well I finally got around to finishing up the heater upgrade on Jeep. The parts list: a heater motor from a 1985 dodge 1/2 ton, a heater resistor block from a rear heater from a dodge van, the wiring from the rear heater. I used the original 2sp switch and only the med. and hi. posts on the resistor bank. I also put a cap over the second "unsed" defrost vent. A black spray paint can cap fits perfectly and looks like it belongs. The final result: the blower spins alot faster and blows alot more air. I could not test it though because I developed a slow leak and was flat. My spare was also flat. This is precisely how almost all projects go: 1 lost an air cover on the tire = a lift kit, new tires, and a locker. Oh ya, I managed to break the collar off of the temp control cable. This really suck b/c these are hard or impossible to find. I might just resort to the newer cables.

Karl

Karl

 

Sounds like a great upgrade.... What was the year of the doner dodge van??? Do you habe any pics of the new fan? I have seen these done, but never seen one fit without shims and sealant. I could really go for the extra heat this winter..

 

I did not take any pics 'cause my camera batteries were dead (Sony=proprietary everything). I was done by the time they were charged. I will take a few pics today or tomorrow for you. Re. the years, the pickup was a 1985ish Dodge 1/2 ton, the van was about the same vintage Dodge maxivan. Look for a van that has two fan switches on the dash. I suspect that the resistor bank from anything would work fine. The big thing is the motor. All I looked for was a motor that did not have a flange mated to the housing. I started pulling apart a Ford, but after a little disassembly found that the motor was spot welded to a mounting flange. I turned around and there was a candidate Dodge smiling at me. On my next trip I am going to pick up a couple of resistor banks 'cause I could not find one new at a parts store, or I found incompetent fools at the parts shop. There was no need for silicone or homemade gaskets, it all bolted up easily. I had to make a new wiring harness, probably a common thing for a Jeep owner, but it was easy. The only thing I am not too keen on is how I mounted the resistor bank. They are typically mounted in the heater housing and washed with flowing air when the fan is on. This means that I would have had to cut the heater housing, something I was not prepared to do. I made a little bracket that mounts to the cowl up, behind and to the right of the glovebox (looking at the glovebox). I dont know if I will leave it this way or not. The pics will make my description clearer. Hmm, I write wordy posts. Must change this.

Karl

 

Karl. Any updates on how the upgrade worked out. I am also in the great white north (but not usually as cold as Calgary) and I am very interested in hearing more.

 

As a matter of fact its freekin cold here 0*F (-18*C) and I took the 5 into a shop to change out the axle bearings. After about 6 or 7 minutes it was warm enough to take off my hat and gloves and unzip my jacket. This may not be astounding, but I really have no hair on my head so it takes quite a bit of heat for me to muster the courage to take off my hat. The blower ressitor I used did not work out: the resistors need constant air flow to keep them cool. I think that I will have to go to Rip Shack to get the same resistors used in "The Binky Heater Upgrade" 2, 2 ohm 10W resistors in parallel i think. Another upgrade that I would suggest is to get a YJ diffuser. It flows more air and in better directions. I cant get the defrost to work too well. I bought a 2" shop vac hose to attach to the outlet until I can get in there with a new plenum. I would highly recommend doing the upgrade. Its easy and gives great results.

Karl

 

Thanks Karl. It sounds like I might be going to the local Pic-a-part this weekend. I have already upgraded my defroster with the plastic replacement parts and my heater gets really warm. With a better fan I should almost be comfortable. The coldest we have been this year in Vernon is -8C. That is too cold in my CJ without good heat.

 

Hey, I was lookin into getting that plastic plenum. How did it work out for you? Where did you get it?

Karl

 

Karl. I got mine shipped from Krage with a bunch of other parts but I think Gemini in Vancouver can get them. www.geminisales.com or Modern Motors in Calgary www.modernmotors.com I have dealt with both of them and they are very helpful.
Geoff

 

Karl, Goto any Tractor-Trailor (semi) Parts house, or to your local Freightliner Dealership. Tell them you need a bunk resistor for a 2001-2002 Freightliner Century Class. They are 3 speed resistors with a High (so 4 in essence). Good part is tho, they dont require air flow to keep them operating, and if they DO burn out, High speed ALWAYS works. Have two in the Jeep (wipers and blower) and havent had a problem with them.

-Karl (ironically)

 

Karl,
Wow, thanks for the tip. We have several of heavy truck shops in my home town. I will look into this over the weekend.

a72cj,
I just took the '5 into Modern Motors to have a wheel bearing replaced (I had no time and no press). They are the best. They went way beyond the call of duty and checked stuff they did not have to, added fluids for free, and adjusted a few things too. Great guys, a rarity these days.

Karl

 

Karl,

Did you just use the motor and use the existing squirrel cage, or did you pull the whole thing from the Dodge???? I finally got fed up with the coolant on the passenger side of my jeep and the cold (for Oklahoma) 9 degree Fahrenheit temps and pulled my heater / blower housing an am wanting to do this upgrade.... Just wandering what exactly you pulled from the 1/2 ton.....

Thanks,
Casey

 

I installed a heater from a '76 CJ.Stayed very warm w/full hard top.Now I have a half top,so I should be fine.
Larry

 

Casey,

All I used was the motor; I used the original cage, gasket, and so on. It looks very much the same as the original except that it has two wires instead of 3 and is a little larger. I have a little free time today. I will try to sneak out to the garage to take it apart and take a pic. No promises about today though as it is -24*C here today. BTW, I drove the Jeep yesterday (-20*C) and I was comfy warm, but not toasty warm with a soft top and at 60 mph, so I dont think that it is necessary to put a newer heater in if you live anywhere south of Calgary AB.

Karl

 

Thanks for the info.... If you get pics that would be great, but if you don't have time I completely understand. I know that this upgrade probably isn't absolutely necessary, but while I have everything apart why not???

Thanks for all the great info,
Casey

 

Casey,

I took the pics. I will post them tomorrow. I also have a few other pics that will be viewable once I modify my webpage. The reason I would not install a '76 and newer heater is because you have to cut a big freakin hole in your firewall to make it work. Sorry Larry.

Karl

 

Casey,

I posted the pics here: http://members.shaw.ca/karl.norrena

The top ones are for the heater upgrade. The rest are Jeep Jamboree stuff.

Karl

 

Karl,

Thanks for the great pics...... That helps a lot.

Casey