Restoration, and I'm thinking of leaving off the Heater

[MedicineMan]

I'm restoring my 68 Longbed, more of a restomod i guess. The truck will be completely original or at least period correct except for two things: a built 350sb/t350 and the engine compartment will be detailed and the firewall shaved.

Most shaved firewall trucks I see have a custom AC setup under the dash that relocates the heater there too. Thats out of the question, I know I don't want to add AC.

The truck is definitely not to be a daily driver. What if I just leave off the heater? Has anyone relocated just the heater? Is anyone using an electric heater? Or, am I nuts and I just need to put the ugly ass heater box back on the firewall and paint it to match?

[mikey531]

Subscribed.. I am wondering the same thing, and I concur about the heater box!

[cdowns]

main disadvantage is not having defrosters

[Hottrucks]

well you can buy an underdash unit ...I just bought one for a 56 Ford complete with defrost tubes vents for under $175 from Classic parts.com...If I was cleaning up the fire wall thats what I would use..you really need the heat on those cool fall mornings or if you get cought in the rain ...( never miond inspection)

I know theres a couple guys selling heater delete panels that you can weld right up that fit like a glove...hopefully someone will jump in with a name

[Pop's C-10]

is this tha one Hottrucks & how does is do..

http://www.classicparts.com/1947-54-...tinfo/68-991A/

[Hottrucks]

68-991b
is the part # I couldn't get the link to work its a complete kit...I'll let you know I haven't received it yet...but I will say I have use simulair ones with great success..they dont work well for big cars but for trucks and coupes there fine.....

Jeff

[Hottrucks]

your link has an A at the end I think the B is the kit??

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-...tinfo/68-991B/

[Bishops Trucks]

Originally Posted by cdowns

main disadvantage is not having defrosters

I agree with this thought.

[yourgrool]

i am using this one....i figured i would only need defrost and maybe a little floor heat.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/VTA-506101

[mrein3]

As others have pointed out you gotta have defog capability.

How about this for the cheap way? Shave everything but the holes for the AC Heater core - which sits on the passenger side of the firewall. If you don't have an AC truck already, shave all but the two dimples to locate the holes for the AC heater core.
Then all you gotta do is fab up a fan which you can hide under there and fab up how it connects to the defroster vents.

You gotta have defog capability. If not, what are you gonna do after you and your best gal are done parking?

[big_al_71]

living in south florida my heater did not make it back in my truck..

[AusTx68]

My truck is not a daily driver so my heater never made it back into the truck. Living in Texas that's not as big a problem as not having a/c. Vintage Air includes both so I have to have it before summers end. Last Veterans Day I left my home at 8am to a show that was 20 miles away. It was a particulary cold morning for Texas and I didn't my my door glass in yet. I froze my butt off!

[MedicineMan]

Originally Posted by mrein3

You gotta have defog capability. If not, what are you gonna do after you and your best gal are done parking?

15 years ago this would have been a serious problem!

Thanks for the link to the kit from classic parts. I'd probly just plumb it directly to the defroster vents, and I could bring hoses in through the vents in the kickpannel. At 175 its an option. A complete vintage air kit at what, 2000$ is not. And cluttering up my engine compartment with AC stuff is not apealling.

[stsalvage]

Well sence we all have cell phones now it really dose not mean much But with are climate changing all the time with global warming.I like leaving my trucks factory stock But sence i'm a die heart when it comes to driving and living in a chevy truck for the better part of 18 years.That heater core has saved me from walking home on a very hot day.

Even tho most of you are just weekend worriers But I've seen more Old Fat fenders that don't get driven more then 3 times a month having heating problems do to a fan switch gone bad your thermostat sticks shut.

Man a heater core really makes sence when my chevy trucks get hot the heater gets kicked on.Most of the guys in here i bet has blown a head gasket in there beaters do to there not gauge whackers.But the old timers tot me every 5 miles look at them gauges.But i like the heater core it looks naked over on that side with out it.

but that's me MR die hard this is my 18 year old truck that i've beat on for 20 something years has a motor with over 750,000 miles and the heater core has been changed every 2 years

[Pop's C-10]

Originally Posted by Hottrucks

your link has an A at the end I think the B is the kit??

http://www.classicparts.com/1955-59-...tinfo/68-991B/

Thanks..i may look into that...i've seen tha 12v ones for years, but never heard good reviews on them..

[bcutt]

I'm doing a resto mod on my 72, decided to ditch the heather and shave the firewall and cap the wire channel. Also shaved the defrost vents and speaker grill or whatever you call it on the dash

[MedicineMan]

Originally Posted by bcutt

I'm doing a resto mod on my 72, decided to ditch the heather and shave the firewall and cap the wire channel. Also shaved the defrost vents and speaker grill or whatever you call it on the dash

That, is what im after! I don't know how to get it, but thats what I want.

[gonzo6869]

My `72 does not have the heater connected, I have not had any issues with it in the rain or the cold. When its raining I just pop the windows down a bit and open the vents so air flows to the windshield. As long as you keep the temp on the inside the same as the out side you should be fine. On cold days get yourself a good sweater/jacket and a beanie that's what I do.