Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

I ordered a Chinese Diesel Heater. For a bit over $100, I'll give it a try. If it's junk, I'll let you know.

Wish me luck!

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[Mules]

The heater arrived. I'll have to wait for some good weather to do the install. I plan to route the exhaust through the unused 120V outlet cover in the back of the Gladiator. It's a plastic cover that I will put a marine throughwall exhaust fitting on. You can see the cover behind the heater in the picture below.

 

[Mules]

There's definitely a design flaw in these "All In One" diesel heaters. They should route the exhaust out the back of the unit, instead of the bottom. Because of this, most people end up building a platform to raise them up, in order to route the exhaust out.

All they had to do was make the housing 2" taller, and leave holes for the exhaust to run out which ever side we wanted.

I grabbed some scrap wood last night and built a platform. I used a scrap wood I-joist. So the platform has a floor, just in case I use this outside, on grass. It should also protect my truck's bed liner from the exhaust. I might slide a piece of sheetmetal or mica between the exhaust and wood, if it get's too hot.

 

[Mules]

Well after a couple errors on my part, the heater fired right up. I ran it for 30 minutes outside to burn off any smells.

1) First error was I wired it backwards. Switched the positive and negative wires and it worked fine.

2) Second error is I blew a 5 amp fuse when the glow plug kicked in. Simple fix to put in a 10 amp fuse, in line.

 

[JeeperFIN]

There is 90°/L-shape exhaust parts for diesel heaters. With those you can probably route the exhaust pipe out of the heater case without using platform.

https://varmarcenter.se/en/accessories/exhaust-systems/

 

[Mules]

There is 90°/L-shape exhaust parts for diesel heaters. With those you can probably route the exhaust pipe out of the heater case without using platform.

https://varmarcenter.se/en/accessories/exhaust-systems/

Thanks for the link to the Heater exhaust parts! Good idea from you and others about the 90 degree elbow. I'm probably going to raise my platform a bit to get the exhaust aligned with the location where it will go through the wall.

In your build, did you replace the Gladiator's plastic outlet cover with a metal one? I think I can see screws on it.

 

[JeeperFIN]

In your build, did you replace the Gladiator's plastic outlet cover with a metal one? I think I can see screws on i

Yes, simple metal plate in there, webasto silicone heat shield ring in the middle and also there is heat cover in the exhaust pipe.

Wire for the power outlet is in one corner of the metal plate, far enough from hot parts.

 

[Mules]

And it was going so well until....

I was worried my marine exhaust port was too long, and it is. I need a 90 degree one so that I can continue the exhaust pipe down between the bed and outer wall of the Gladiator.

I like the marine style exhaust wall pass through, since I can attach an exhaust pipe on both sides, and the heater inside the truck just plugs into the throughwall fitting, so it can be easily removed.

Back to the drawing board. I might do what @JeeperFIN did with the Webasto Silicone passthrough.

 

[JeeperFIN]

If you want to use JT:s main tank for diesel heater:

Webasto part# 1323996A

 

[Mules]

Beautiful interior build Dan!!

 

[chorky]

If you want to use JT:s main tank for diesel heater:

Webasto part# 1323996A

think this would work for the gas version as well?

 

[JeeperFIN]

think this would work for the gas version as well?

I have no idea, pump housing is probably different in gas version.

 

[chorky]

Beautiful interior build Dan!!

Looking like a lot of room too I'm a little surprised. Sure would like to see something like this on a Gladiator

I have no idea, pump housing is probably different in gas version.

They look pretty similar. What is used for the pickup tube?

 

[JeeperFIN]

Webasto fuel fix, part number is in my post.
Easy to install, drill a hole with bit which comes in the kit and install the fuel pipe and tighten the screw ( works like a anchor bolt)

 

[Mules]

Attempt #2 for diesel heater exhaust through the bed wall of Gladiator.

I used an electrical box cover, drilled a 1" hole, and painted it black.

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