Heat-Wow!

newjeepowner · 11-09-2008, 04:45 PM

I know there are # of threads on this but had a friend help me with the blower upgrade for a cj7. We used a blower model Siemens #102x. Used the washers on the old unit and the squirrel cage set right up with no problems

What a big difference..while its not that cold yet, i'm actually thinking I'll stay warm in the jeep this winter. If you are thinking about doing this, just do it.....

MontanaCJ5 · 11-09-2008, 05:36 PM

Yet another option is to go with an aftermarket heater box. I live in MT, and have an underdash heater box and a separate heater box for the defroster. This not only keeps me warm, but I can see where I am going. Besides, they save lots of room over the O.E. heater setup. The down side is drilling more holes thru the firewall for heater hose connections, and the added expense and dash room required for the switches. But if you live in the Northern Rockies, it's worth it!!

**PhatBasturd** · 11-09-2008, 11:20 PM

Montana - Can you show us your set up? I've got to deal with my heater soon and I'm looking for alternatives to refurbing my old and ineffecient type-1 (blower in cab) heater box.

DirtEater · 11-10-2008, 06:26 AM

My blower comes on for a little bit, sounding slow and sick, and then kinda just stops. Then, another day, it comes back on the same way....and stops. The trickle of heat coming out is better than nothing though.

joemac421 · 11-10-2008, 10:09 AM

I recently did this upgrade with a blower motor from Advanced Auto, the Factory Air one, I am now in HEAT HEAVEN!!

DirtEater · 11-10-2008, 11:58 AM

joemac, What are you referring too? Got a link?

MontanaCJ5 · 11-10-2008, 04:17 PM

PB: I have 2 heater boxes (both aftermarket). One is an aftermarket heater box with a fan enclosed within. It comes with a switch, has 2 simple heater hose connections, and blows heat straight thru the front of the unit (no outlets for ducts). I mounted this unit under the dash in front of the shifter.
The second unit is similar and made by the same company, and it also has a fan included. However, it has two duct outlets, one of which I closed off and the other which I ran to the defroster vent. I took the coolant outlet of the main heater box (first one mentioned) and ran it to the inlet of the defrost heater box, then ran the outlet of the defrost heater box back to the engine. Essentially, they are connected in series.
The heater boxes themselves are made by...
Heater Craft
6672 West Boekel Road
Rathdrum, ID 83858
208-687-4400
They are small black units (both together are smaller than the OE 1974 heater box, and are about 10"X7"X8"deep) and come with hi-med-lo-off switches. I paid ~ $175 for each in 2001 (if that helps). The reason that I have 2 units is that I originally had just one, with one outlet going to the defrost and the other to a 3" (Heater Craft) vent on the dash. It was better, but I had a soft top at the time and didn't keep up with the MT winter. Adding the second unit cooked me out, even with the soft top. With two units and two switches, I use one for heat and the other for defrost, and can control each individually. I am putting a new body on as we speak, and plan on cutting out space for a defroster vent on each side of the windshield, and sealing up the standard, single center hole. This should double my airflow and give me defroster that works really well.
The heat is turned on by a standard heater control switch (cable controlled) that provides coolant flow to both heater units. Note that I am throwing away my air intake box, as I never use it. This will free up some space behind the dash. The original CJ5 heater box with the ductwork is long gone.
Also, try looking at marine or RV heaters. Heater Craft makes a good product, but I am sure there are lots of other manufacturers out there.
I'd upload pics, but I don't have enough posts here for that.

**John Strenk** · 11-10-2008, 05:13 PM

Post the link and someone else will post the pictures

LostINohiO · 11-10-2008, 06:16 PM

bump for pictures

MontanaCJ5 · 11-10-2008, 07:02 PM

John Strenk: I emailed you some pics; if you could please post them here for those requesting them. I tried setting up a gallery here, but am probably too new to do even that. Thanks!

MontanaCJ5 · 11-10-2008, 07:04 PM

John S.: I emailed you some pics; if you could please post them here for those requesting them. I tried setting up a gallery here, but am probably too new to do even that. Thanks!

**PhatBasturd** · 11-11-2008, 08:53 AM

Sounds like a great setup. Anxious to see some pics....

**John Strenk** · 11-11-2008, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MontanaCJ5

John S.: I emailed you some pics; if you could please post them here for those requesting them. I tried setting up a gallery here, but am probably too new to do even that. Thanks!

Didn't get them. Did you send it to a hotmail account?

MontanaCJ5 · 11-11-2008, 10:42 AM

Sure did-the hotmail account of your profile....maybe it went to the spam folder? (Sorry about the double post).

**John Strenk** · 11-11-2008, 11:23 AM

No problem. I found the one picture choke the mail box. Anyway, here are the pictures:

Quote:

descriptions: main box and defrost box are both heaters out of the vehicle (I have pulled the body off)
DSC04279 shows the main heater box behind the gear shift. Above is the cable that I pull for heat, and in the foreground is a duct that supplies additional heat off the the defroster (it pushes totally closed). This duct will go away in the new dash and will instead supply the second defrost vent.