Ta22 gay heater box with centre console refits.

[79GT]

Hi guys, As all that have a 22 realise is that the heater box is a royal pain in the ass.

It prevents you from installing a cd player in the centre of the car, the cores always go bang, (2 so far for me) and IMO they just suck in general.

Now i have noticed in a lot of rebuilds people have just pulled them out. (highly considered this my self) untill i got a yellow sticker for my heater not being hooked up. this is to do with the need for a demisting capabilities.

anyway so i am wondering

1. what people have done in regard to their heater box,
2. those that have simply ripped it out, how do you demist...electric heater of some kind...
3. is there another cars heater box that can be adapted that is smaller and allows more room for a centre console.
4. any other opinions on this matter.

Cheers in advance guys. Jamie

[PULSE]

I know some people use a small electric heater, kind of like a small hairdryer. They can be had for quite cheap I believe, and I'm pretty sure a lot of hot rodding guys use them so maybe you should ask around on some rodding forums. And yes I believe they are a legal replacement for a heater.

[79GT]

mmm. will they work effectively though...i am just thinking hair dryers use a fair few amps,....dont want to be having a flat batt constantly....

will keep asking around though. cheers.

any other opinions....???

[EldarO]

12 volt camping heater man

keep the ducting in there, box the heater in, and make a simple switch, on/off

[79GT]

has this method been tried and true...

will work as a demister...but would i only be able to use it as a demister, or could i leave it on and let it heat the car up to??

Jamie

[w810sc]

If you search the old forums there was an electric heater core you could buy from Jay car. Retro fitting it was pretty straight forward but you had to change the wiring (it came with a cig/lighter connection) so 20 amps could run through the cables for the 250 watt setting (250 watt / 12 volts = 20.83* Amps). There is also a 150 watt setting that uses 12.5 amps (150 watts / 12 volts = 12.5 amps). To circulate the air there is a fan switch.

I never got mine working back then using the stock 2T alternator, It should be pretty effective with the 85 amp Bosch EA alternator.

pros = instant heat (don't have to wait for engine coolant to warm up)
cons = high current drawn from electrical system.

fonz

[79GT]

the original alternator only puts out 40 amps is that right...

mmmm, at that sort of draw could you put keep it running on those cold mornings or would it be a demist and switch off proceedure...

[w810sc]

you can set it to a demister by using the switches on the ta22 dash, it's just a heater core that heads up. When I last checked, my 2T alternator puts out 10 amps at 1500-2000rpm.

[79GT]

bam shit aye...righto then, will have to look into that, may have to do that alternator upgrade sooner than expected.

the whole point of this was not to just replace the core, but to establish a system that will do the job, and takes up less room in the cabin, especially in the centre console area.

are there any ideas out there that still use the coolant, but are a newer system that is readily available, but more compact and possibly adaptable. Jamie

keep the ideas coming guys.

[LeeRoy]

Get some GT aircon vents or get some vents from a newer model of car and mount them in the console with a custom duct behind it.

Alternatively, just divert them out the side of the console.

You can also mount the CD player lower.

[79GT]

yeah i have considered this, other than the fact that i need to find gt vents, the actual heater box itself is in quite an impractical position. it is not so much the lack of vents that frustrates me, it is the cd player and trying to find a core that will last.

making up a complete console isnt a bad idea i am just trying to look at some other ideas people have had in order to rectify the heater box issue in an effective way.
Jamie

[w810sc]

I'm sure this link has been posted a number of times:
http://www.consoles.com.au/accessories_floor.htm
they can make you a console that replaces your standard unit with a cd player insert etc..
I have one of their consoles but instead of a cd player I had 6 gauges.

[77GZE]

mmm interesting...

[79GT]

i wish...but i dont have $600 dollars to spend, so i should have specified, i am looking to do it on a bit of a budget. not tight ass spec, just not $600 ballpark. i have also seen the bluewire options as well. again...slightly out of my price range.

Jamie

[LeeRoy]

You could make a better one for cheaper and it would fit your exact specifications.