splicing into the coolant system to add heat to the bed of my 1500
Professional
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 221
Likes: 0
From: NewBrunswick, Canada
When my Cherokee's heater core crapped out I was told I could hack in and install a "bread truck heater" which is what many box trucks, like UPS and the like use. They are pretty cheap and it's not too hard to hook into the system with.
An electric heater is a really great way to set your truck on fire.
An electric heater is a really great way to set your truck on fire.
You could just put the wife in the back to monitor the electric heater and let your dogs in the cab. :P Bed gets warm AND you have eyes on it at all times
Last edited by 8uzzsaw; Oct 13, 2011 at 11:51 AM.
Champion
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,570
Likes: 0
I agree. I'd rather go the fan route you posted, and pick up a 1500 watt converter.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_322971-10018...d=10151&rpp=24
The difference in the end may be a few $ more for sure after buying the right battery cables to run to the bed, but you'll have consistent heat output. On top of that, you can set the thermostat to regulate the heat too.
The heater core was an interesting idea, but I don't see it being more hassle than it is worth. ymmv.
http://www.lowes.com/pd_322971-10018...d=10151&rpp=24
The difference in the end may be a few $ more for sure after buying the right battery cables to run to the bed, but you'll have consistent heat output. On top of that, you can set the thermostat to regulate the heat too.
The heater core was an interesting idea, but I don't see it being more hassle than it is worth. ymmv.
Legend
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 8,025
Likes: 72
From: orangeville ontario
i don't see the electrical system being strong enough to power a heater running on a inverter. i would sooner hook up one of those 12v electric heaters. maybe you could buy a heater box from the junkyard with heater core and blower motor and chop it up to make it smaller and hook it in to the coolant system.
Rookie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: nashville,tn
Agreed if its a long haired dog a heater might be more bad of an idea compared to a few blankets for them to just curl up in. Just a thought.
Grand Champion
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 7,055
Likes: 7
From: Lee County, North Carolina
My dogs (long thick haired mutts) love it when it gets below 30º or so. A couple of them will actually sleep outside the dog house and get snowed on instead of getting in there and warming up. A hay bale + four big dogs will warm up a small space pretty quick.
Record Breaker
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Claremont NC
A lot of good suggestions (especially the one about the wife, JK) but if you're dead set on the heater core in the back, look into getting a front pump from a Durango that will circulate the coolant. You're not going to get much heat back there if you just connect the heater hose to your existing system.
Thread Starter
|
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: colorado
So, I'm somewhat leaning towards an electric option. but I have the standard alternator and wiring harness. I want to make sure I don't kill my battery, or freeze my dogs. I have several dogs, two of them are chiwawas, none of my dogs are used to the winter, infact, none have experienced it before. They regularly are exposed to 115+ degree heat from here in phoenix. I'm moving to Way upper north wisconsin, in the middle of this winter. Frankly, I don't know what a safe temperature is for them, they have never seen less than 40 degree's. They will have stops along the way, but it will be like 3-6 days without being inside for them.
I wouldn't travel 3 days i the back of my truck in the winter without heat, so I don't want them to either.
I wouldn't travel 3 days i the back of my truck in the winter without heat, so I don't want them to either.