Heat options for a 1973 Thing

ente_kaefer · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 1:19 pm Post subject: Heat options for a 1973 Thing

Argh, previous owners . . .

A previous owner removed the BN4 heater from my car, so, I am trying to determine what the options are to heat my car.

Option 1 - BN4 gas heater

Locating working units is a challenge, even more so to locate one that is complete with all of the parts. Parts can be difficult to find, and expensive

Option 2 - Heater boxes

This would require replacing the 'dog house,' rear tin to allow the tubes from the 'dog house' to each heater box, the part that goes from the heater box to inside the car, the tubes that run inside the car, and all of the bits that go up behind the dash.

Option 3 - 'Eastern Front'

Wear a rabbit fur hat with ear flaps, field gray overcoat, wool gloves, two toques, wool scarf, East German felt boots, wool pants and field blouse, and place a canteen with schnapps inside the drivers door.

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77kafer · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 2:12 pm Post subject:

I vote for Option 3.
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Supposed to be 77käfer, but there are no umlauts on an american keyboard

Overheard on 27 June 07, one lady to another when they saw my Harli in a parking lot at West Point, "maybe he found it on the clearance aisle at the Volkswagen dealer"

kenj06 · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 2:46 pm Post subject:

I think you missed a couple options:
4: heated seats
5. Propex http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=155324&highlight=propex

I have a '74 where someone installed the BN4 and I just got it running and it's nice. If I didn't have it already I would put the heater boxes and other bits back in place.

Option 3 does sound preferable if it's only occasionally. Smile

Semper_Dad · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 3:00 pm Post subject:

Honestly, I think you can get a BN4 installed, up and running for less time, money, and effort than Options 2, 4, or 5. Option 3 sounds interesting.

Installing a BN4 would return your 181 closer to stock and most likely increase it's value.

That being said,.......one of the Domeck brothers has an interesting setup for his Type 4 powered 181.
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Walküre Restoration Thread: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=737492

Deckard · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:12 pm Post subject:

Agreed with the post, the BN4 heater is great and get hot in a flash. The air volume inside a Thing is considerably larger than a VW beetle, and since it also lacks insulation heater boxes might not be enough.

74 Thing · Samba Member Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7393

From a daily driver owner of a 1974 Thing for 25 years get your BN4 heater up and running. There is a guy in Colorado that restores them-check the classifieds.

74 Thing · Samba Member Joined: September 02, 2004 Posts: 7393

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1281986

This guy-give him a ring or try to do it yourself. There is a wealth of knowledge here.

IHC · Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 9:09 pm Post subject:

Buy a current model Espar? Same company that made the BN 4, heater. Think they are under $2000.you will have a modern safe heater.

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

On my first 73 I had both a working gas heater and had added a Beetle exhaust heat system. Nice and toasty that way and when the gas heater failed to work for some reason I still had some heat.

ente_kaefer · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:30 am Post subject:

ente_kaefer · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 2:33 am Post subject:

mondshine · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 7:35 am Post subject:

One more thing to consider is that your '73 probably does not have the heat tubes (where the accordions connect) welded into the body.
Adding them would be a pain.
Additionally, when you add up the cost of heat exchangers, all of the correct tubes and ducts, retro-fitting the control levers, cables and their guide tubes, etc., it makes a good used BN4 seem like a bargain.

A modern gasoline Espar would be a second choice, but a good used BN4 would require zero fabrication; that is the way forward.

Good luck, Mondshine

Captain Spalding · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 11:10 am Post subject:

I agree with those who say find a BN4.

Two more options:

1. Heated motorcycle clothing. A heated jacket and gloves would be nice for the driver.

2. I have a 12v electric blanket for the back seat of my car. I wasn't too enthusiastic about it at first, but my kids LOVE it.

Wildthings · Samba Member Joined: March 13, 2005 Posts: 50352

notchboy · Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 3:06 pm Post subject:

Id put the BN4 back. It will only enhance the value of your thing to do so. The parts are not that hard to find. They are out there with shared use for other cars. Most of the bits are the same as with the BN4s in the bus. Getting a used unit and restoring it yourself will give you knowledge moving forward on maintaining it. Or you could pay all the $ up front and buy one from Marty.

I love BN4s - they are sweet little runners and simple once you get the hang of them.

Check this out.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=614419&highlight=eberspacher
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ente_kaefer · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 4:57 pm Post subject:

mondshine · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:01 pm Post subject:

"They build 'em good in Germany"

Captain Spalding · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:28 pm Post subject:

I'm usually pretty good, but I'm not getting this one. Where's it from?

mondshine · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 7:47 pm Post subject:

Check the number on the destroyer (you might need to watch the movie, but it's a great one) !

Link

notchboy · Posted: Mon Oct 19, 2015 8:37 pm Post subject:


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