Lower Rad Hose Heater VS. Oil Pan Heater

[fish78]

I was hoping i could get some opinions on this...

My lj78 starts pretty rough in the cold, so i need to get some kind of plug-in heater installed before it gets too cold up north here. I'd considered installing a block heater, but have been told its a total pain in the butt to do, and to look at installing a lower rad hose heater instead.

I asked a buddy of mine for a little help with install, and he suggested that i go with an oil pan heater instead, because its an even easier install.

It seems to be a bit more expensive than the lower rad hose heater, but what do you guys think, are there any other reasons to go with one or the other?

thanks!

 

[Natty]

HI Fish... I have an 87 BJ-73, and I bought some parts from 4Wheel auto in Edmonton a while ago. I bit the bullet and also ordered one of their lower rad hose heaters, and I'm glad I did. It was at my door the next day, and the install seriously takes a little more than an hour and a half ( including putting in new coolant and flushing it a couple of times ). When you plug it in, it gets hot immediately. Hot to the touch. Because it is situated quite low, it warms the coolant and literally circulates it through the block and all hoses. You get up on cold mornings ( below -20 ) and touch even the upper hoses at the firewall, and they are warm. Now my truck starts perfectly, and it is so much easier on the engine. Not to mention the fact that it seriously starts to blow warm after like a minute... its sweet. Best thing I've bought for my truck in a while. I was thinking about also getting the oil pan heater for added insurance on super cold days, but the guy at 4Wheel Auto said it'd be overkill. In my opinion, the lower rad hose heater is the first thing to buy for these diesels in our city... Hope this helps!

 

[crushers]

for the Prado it is 1 1/4" lower rad hose heater, Napa, Parts source, AutoValue $35

never ran a oil pan heater, saw a few with ripped off wires though.

insert the power lead into the heater.

the lower rad hose heater is an easy install, remove airbox, remove the splash guard under neath the rad, have a LARGE pan to catch the coolant, i use one of those cheap rubbermade units made for under the bed storage. it comes in handy a LOT so buy one. remove the rad overflow tube from the over flow bottle and plug the line with a 12mm bolt. this slows down the coolant flow dramaticly. cut a 1 1/4" section out of the flat part of the lower hose. slide the hose clamps on and insert the heater, tighten the hose clamps but do not over tighten or you can cut the hose or strip the threads. run the power cord out of the way of ANY moving parts and secure with zip ties. refill the coolant and while waiting for the level to works its way through the passages reinstall the lower splash pan and the air box. REMOVE THE BOLT FROM THE COOLANT OVER FLOW LINE and reatach to the bottle.
top up the coolant again. take for drive. when the engine is cold check the level again...

done.

 

[nickw]

Both do different things.

An oil pan heater is low wattage, and only meant to keep the oil warm (thiner) in cold temps. It will not heat your block. You will get alittle warmth, but not much. It puts out about as much heat as a lightbulb. Usallly they are around 100watts. They attach to the oustide of the oil pan.

Lower rad hose heater:
Most are 1200-1500watts. (block heaters are usually around 400watts).
This will warm your block up. It heats the coolant wich inturn heats the blocks.
They will give you warm air as soon as you start it, as well as a warm block. I usually put mine on a timer. And have it start 1-2 hours before I leave (depending on temp). This is the preffered option.

A oil pan heater is not a subsitute for a rad hose heater.
It will help, but is not the solution.


Hope this helps,
Cheers,
N.

 

[fish78]

Great! All this is exactly what i needed to hear. I'll be off to cdn tire this afternoon to pick up a lower rad hose heater. Thanks a ton guys!!