Removing conversion van rear heat/AC unit

[AstroOafAdventurer]

I want to get this removed today, but can't quite see where the lines run. My AC system is empty so I was going to clip & flip those and deal with them when I did the AC. As for the heat, I'm guessing it's essentially a heater core so I should be able to remove the unit and splice the hoses together. I'm just looking for a quick n dirty removal and go back and do it better on the other side of winter. Here's what I got.

[AstroWill]

Looks like everything is right there forward of the unit, 2 refrigerant lines and 2 coolant lines. Just gotta trace it back to where they tied into the engine system and add your bypass.

[sixsix]

"Thorsteenster" ??

Haha



ps: almost as good as "Allergictostabwounds"

[tungtide]

Can you loop them right there. That way you could re-install later. Or did I miss the point. I love my rear AC on Kentucky summer days.

[sixsix]

... I love my rear AC on Kentucky summer days.

That's I meant to or wish I had said. Cuz it is so true.

[AstroOafAdventurer]

After looking under the van, the coolant lines have plastic splicers just under the van, so I'll pinch the lines off just before them and cut one on the unit side and loop it onto the other. The AC lines I recon I'll just disconnect and leave in place just in case. While I have it out I'll eyeball relocating it in front of the wheel housing, it would be nice to have, or at least removing it to keep as an option to have.

[AstroOafAdventurer]

"Thorsteenster" ??

Haha



ps: almost as good as "Allergictostabwounds"

Ha, a buddy of mine used to append ster on everyone's name back in the 90s. My name is Thor-Steen, and typically go by thor, so I was Thorsteenster and pretty much buses that as my online persona. My name here is one of the very few deviations from that.

[AstroOafAdventurer]

Anyone know if these have to be mounted in an upright position?

[AstroOafAdventurer]

Yeah, so it's not going to be able to be reinstalled a but it's out! Plus no cooling leaks yet.
On the plus side, I now have a nice drain hole ifni decide to add a sink.

[Rod's Trucks]

It appears a conversion company cut out the inner sheet metal to install that slider; or did you do that?
It must have been a cargo van originally.
Rod J

[AstroOafAdventurer]

Yes, it was originally a cargo van, and when I bought it a full on conversion van and I've since gutted it.
I don't know why they cut the supports so far back, I'll have to add some bracing, closing doors pushes the windows out.

[AstroOafAdventurer]

So now that I've removed, it's popped to mind about adding a small heater core and fan, just in case, plus I already have the lines.
Then I came across Jegs hot rod heaters and thinking this:
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/70609/10002/-1
or this:
https://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS/555/70603/10002/-1
Fairly small units and minimal space usage
Has anyone added rear heat?

[Mmusicman]

Has anyone added rear heat?

Removes rear heater? .. then posts link to purchase replacement heater?

[AstroOafAdventurer]

Yeah I know right, but to be fair, the linked heaters are WAY smaller than the unit I took out.
If I'd known of such heaters when taking it out, or thought to look, I would have done it already.
Someone was suggesting a JY unit from a VW van, or I was looking at just buying a heater core that will fit how I want and a blower fan.

[AstroWill]

I would try it without first, the front heater works so well you may not need the rear heat at all.

[Rod's Trucks]

AstroOafAdventurer wrote:
" I was looking at just buying a heater core that will fit how I want and a blower fan."
You might consider looking at one of the pancake style computer fans. Nearly all are 12V, move quite a bit of air, are thin, quiet, and very efficient. If you do not plan on needing the blast furnace air volume ( significantly less than 1 amp, compared to the many amps for the normal automotive heater fans), I they are great.
Rod J
Issaquah, WA

[AstroOafAdventurer]

I would try it without first, the front heater works so well you may not need the rear heat at all.

True enough, I get caught up in too many smaller things and forget the big picture.
I'll just have to make sure I leave a spot that one could be fitted in later.
And yes, the front heat does work well!

[icebrrg3rd]

If you have the Dutch doors with the rear window defrost, you won't miss the rear heat, unless you regularly carry passenger and they are constantly opening the doors on cold days. My front-only heater is fine once running, but if it gets humid inside (like melted snow from kids' boots), the windows fog and I don't have rear defrost (barn doors). Oh, having a working A/C (not me) helps dry out the air and prevents fogging windows too, even in winter.

Yeah, my conversion van has the supports cut away at the windows too, but I don't think they cut them back as far as yours, mine are closer to the profile of the window opening. While it's gutted, check the window surround for leaks, my rears were leaking, entry was where the window frame crossed over body line creases, causing gap differences. That's what happens when the custom windows are larger (taller) than the stock ones.

-Andrew