South America FJ40 (1974) - Add Heater/Defrost?

[PacificaFJ40]

I'm trying to figure out where people landed on their heater addition journey? Searching mud leads to summit racing and vintage air.
I have factory AC which I like, but I have no defrost ... which I need. Vintage air has disclaimers that their systems only work with US Spec vehicles.

Has anyone had any success adding heat/defrost to a vehicle that never had heat/defrost?

Thanks in advance!

 

[ToyotaMatt]

i have a 1/83 FJ43L-KC

i usa-spec'd it with all the HVAC goodies

wire harness was already roughed in for all of it too ......fyi

 

[devo]

My SA FJ43 came without a heater or A/C. I sourced everything heater related from a sitting junker. Starting from the water pump back. If you find all of these parts it is plug and play. If I wouldn’t have able to to find all of the proper parts my only option would have been Vintage Air. I did not bother with adding A/C Or the rear heater.
If your windshield frame has the defroster vents I have a spare pair of vent tubes that go from the heater box to the defrost vents.

good luck and stay warm



devo

 

[DangerNoodle]

I'd assume your cowl has no defrost vents to the windshield? That could be quite a pain to add the vents. If you already have A/C adding a factory heater would be really easy, defrost could be a pain.

 

[PacificaFJ40]

Thanks everyone, my windshield frame does not have any cutouts for defrost.

One thought I had is to go with a DC-AC inverter and plug in a hairdryer

 

[mdsims]

Thanks everyone, my windshield frame does not have any cutouts for defrost.

One thought I had is to go with a DC-AC inverter and plug in a hairdryer

What did you end up doing to get defrost? I’m currently in your same predicament.

 

[PacificaFJ40]

What did you end up doing to get defrost? I’m currently in your same predicament.

I have installed an aftermarket under the dash heater/defrost unit and I have purchased a used OEM windshield frame that does have the proper cut outs.

I still need to paint it and finish the install.

 

[Cruiser Novice]

I have installed an aftermarket under the dash heater/defrost unit and I have purchased a used OEM windshield frame that does have the proper cut outs.

I still need to paint it and finish the install.

I know this thread is old, but I’m in the exact same situation with a recent 1976FJ 40 purchase. Do you have photos of the heater and AC unit that is under your dash?

 

[mdsims]

i have a 1/83 FJ43L-KC

i usa-spec'd it with all the HVAC goodies

wire harness was already roughed in for all of it too ......fyi

FJ43L-KC here too. 108233 vin. Can’t be too far off from yours.