Gee oh Dee

I'm wondering if anyone out there has tried different means of heating the inside of our trucks. I'm considering it.

Here is why:

The truck is a 1987 Cherokee with the 4.0 and a 5 speed trans.

For some reason I have no heat. None. The fan doesn't blow whatsoever, on any setting.

The fuse is fine, all of them are. It has to be something wiring related, but I'm not sure what. I'm not a big fan of wiring, either. I don't know where everything on these trucks are routed, and even if I did I'm thinking the amout of work to replace heater parts would be time consuming and most likely expensive. Two other things I'm not a huge fan of.

Here is what I'm thinking.

I've got (2) 12v DC heaters that are meant for automotive use. Rather than taking the time to try and figure out why one of the many heater components have failed, is there any reason I shouldn't take 10 min and run a power wire to both heaters and mount them inside the cabin?

Pros:

Electric heat is much quicker than coolant based heat. Near instant.

Electric heat doesn't rely on the motor to the truck running, therefore I can start heating the truck without running the truck and burning gas.

Cons:

Fire hazard (although I've got no carpet, so that isn't a HUGE issue)

No vehicles use electric heat, so there HAS to be a down side.



Any thoughts? Thanks for all the input!

Aldakoopa

It would seem to me like it would use too much electricity... but I don't know how much the alternator produces, how much the car uses, or how much the heaters use.

Gee oh Dee

Hmm, didn't think of that. Interesting point!

I know they are both 12v DC, I don't know how many amps they draw. I could easily look once I get home and post back.

This truck doesn't have any electrical accessories any longer. No radio, no interior dome lights, obviously no fan/heat/ac.

Only thing she's got are engine electronics, heads/tails/turns, and dash lights.

Not much juice being used as-is.

krawlthis

i have used a lil' mr heater when camping in my xj. it worked i just kept the back windows down a little when i had it on. i guess you could use it when driving if you kept the windows cracked.

SuperGlue

I went two years in a Suzuki Samurai with no heat, have fun with no defrost. Its worth it to fix it, its easier in XJ's then any other car that I have done heater work on, super easy to get around the dash. Its really bad with no defrosters, I wouldn't suggest it....

knoxville

I've tried what you're gonna in a 73 bronco, there was too much draw it kept popping 40 amp fuses on a 10 ga wire. Not to mention our xjs alternators dont like powering anything extra. I can suggest using a toggle switch and relay straight to the blower motor, it'll always be on high, but you'll have heat. Option 2 is the "mojave" heater, theyre self contained and tie in to the heater hoses, the kick major heat but are big and expensive. And theres the one i did, the chevy pickup heavy duty blower motor upgrade ( just google it) it uses a 70's chevy blower motor and requires a lil trimming of your box but it costs 27 bucks a blows big time, a lil loud though. Hope this helps !

knoxville

Oops, the electric heater i used was a/c, i used a power inverter for it and it blew fuses. ( sorry it was a few years ago). Which heaters do you have? Those cheap ones from autozone? 15 or 20 bucks? If so return em, i bought one and they suck!

SeriousOffroad

Why not just fix the problem instead of trying to reinvent the wheel?

Apply power directly to the fan motor and see it it works. If it does then you've eliminated it as a failed component.

rich

Well some big rigs do have electric heaters and a/c to run off the generator when they are in a place where its illegal to idle the trucks overnight. I have also seen a school bus heater hooked up in a van, downfall takes up room but will heat up real good.

JeepCoMJ

agreed.


you have one of 4 things that could have failed...

the first two are unlikely:
fuse
heater control

this one is slightly unlikely:
fan motor

and this is the most likely:
blower resistor.



buy a resistor. they're cheap.

Gee oh Dee

I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel per se, I'm just thinking for $3 (already have heaters) and 10 min of work I could have working electric heat. And like I said, e-heat is much faster than letting the truck warm up.

I've also got windshield de-icer, so as long as the frost is not inside the truck, I can just use that to defrost windows.

I could also hook up my 800w power inverter and use a better more effecient heater if mine don't do the job.

I will say this, though, with as many people suggesting how easy heater repair is on these trucks, I'm now considering it. I'm just not proficient in electrical, esp with heating/cooling. I'd do it for sure if I had a buddie help who's had experience.

Sooo, anyone in my area feel like helping me out? (JeepCoMJ) You can drink as much beer as you want!

JeepCoMJ

tell you what....I live down in wind lake, straight down 36 (loomis) off of 894.

you bring it down here, I'll diagnose...and I just may have the part you need.

-Pat

Gee oh Dee

We need to hook up this weekend if possible then!!!

I'm also hitting up Badgerland4x4's meeting Sunday night if you are interested.

I'll be PMing you soon.

JeepCoMJ

sent u a pm back. not interested in the meeting...got enough on my plate w/0 spending time on that...thanks tho.