Heater - what’s the best modern day option?

[s2c-08616]

My 2A doesn't have a heater. Instead of recreating a pretty poor heating system, are there state-of-the-art options out there?
I've got a Webasto diesel heater in my Hiace
Campervan which I'll be selling soon.  Might migrate it to Jessie. Is this a good idea?
I'm going to install heated windscreens anyway. Dyson-type technology? Hydrogen, Solar power, uranium?

[Peter Holden]

A few years ago a small heater called a T7 was the go to replacement for yhe Smiths shin burner.

Peter

[Gareth]

I've got a diesel air heater installed in the rear tub. Piped through the rear bulkhead to the cab. I fitted a spare lawnmower fuel tank onto the left inner wing, piped under the car to the heater. It has a remote control, so can pre heat the car.

It's been in there for 5 years now, and apart from needing a new controller, it's been reliable. I only need to run it on minimum setting, as it's a bit too powerful for a truck cab.

[gcc130]

T7 Design are still going, making heaters for kit cars and race cars, butI can't see the Landrover specific one on their site.
I have one in the garage waiting to be fitted to my series1

[Peter Holden]

There isn't a land rover specific T7, people just fitted the standard ine and cobbled together the demister.

We have a genuine Clayton heater in our S1 107 truck cab and it gets too hot.  We have a 12v heater out of a TK Bedford truck in our 59 a.nd you get boiled alive with that.
Besides the Smiths shin burner in the 58 we have a pair of old fashioned electric demister on the windscreen bug heated screens would be a bonus.  Robin Sanderson used to sell a controller kit fur them

Peter

[Robin]

I fitted a T7 with 4 outlets in place of a dead Smiths round heater about 12 years ago.
Works well, though of course, no flaps or controls to direct heat.
I have pipes running to the demisters, and another over the tunnel directed towards the pedals, so keeps the screens clear and my feet warm!
Unless I know I'm going to have a passengerin the cold, I plug the other outlet on the passenger side with some tight-fitting foam so there's more flow to the other outlets.

[Exile]

A Smiths heater, with a good sludge-free matrix, is actually pretty good.

The problem is its position in the passenger footwell which can thus leave the driver a little chilly. A "better" heater in the same position might create a bit more fug, but your legs and feet will still be cold.


A few tips to get the best out of it - in order of desperation - are:

1. Plug every gap and hole that is allowing cold air to get in.

2. Ensure your engine runs at max permissible temperature - it is surprising how many don't.

3. Insulate any large bare aluminim panels that radiate cold.

4. Pipe some heat direct to driver's foowell.

5.Fit a truck cab.

6. Invest in a pair of gloves and thick socks.

7. Drive the wife's car instead.

[gcc130]

T7 did do a four outlet heater which the they said was a suitable replacement for series landrovers.
I bought one, but it's still sitting in the garage awaiting fitment

[Wittsend]

I've seen one with a domestic radiator plumbed into the coolant circuit, fitted on the bak of the centre bulk head - very cosy.

Fit a fue curtain if you don't have a truck cab. A fumes curtain can be made from a sheet of cardboard or plywood. Just cut a slot out for the rear view mirror to work.

 

[gcc130]

As above, it's amazing what a difference a fume curtain makes!

[Neil Furness]

Clayton

[Peter Holden]

I have a fume curtain, it is actually the rear flap from an old canvas and it has to cope with a seatbelt bar.  Added to other comments just wear very warm clothes.  When I was young and foolish I drove a land rover with no roof and no heater in all weathers, I did however have an old waterproof horse blanket to wrap round my legs.  Keeping the inside of the windscreen dry was a pain though

Peter

[geoff]

Getting the doors to fit and seal well is vital as is closing off any holes no matter how small !
Of course one of the worst offenders for letting cold into the cab to bite your body is the transmission brake lever gaiter when perished.
Not forgetting a well fitted tilt with no visible gaps.
Once attention to detail is undertaken your heater of whichever flavour will now have half a chance of putting a smile on your face rather than the grimace of cold weather endurance.
I like the Smiths heater but find the Clayton puts more heat out ( I've only used the early series one types and not the modern versions ).
Also find the Bosch heater matrix an effective unit that is also strong and not prone to failure.
Some time in the distant past I had a woollen greatcoat for the worst of our winters ( SII daily driver ) and it was better than any heater but looked a bit old fashioned, perfect until my brother borrowed it and spilt garlic sauce from a kebab all over the front and I never got rid of the smell no matter what.
Thank goodness for global warming.

[Alan Drover]

...not forgetting the high/low lever gaiter and, if fitted, the overdrive lever gaiter. I recently replaced the handbrake and high/low gaiter with Emberton ones. Far better quality than the usual ones.

[geoff]

Indeed not forgetting all of the above !

Not forgetting also that all this effort has the side effect of making the cab quieter, win win scenario