Wabasto heater install '87 FJ60

[WSOPgold2012]

Is this an "easy" install?? Will it warm the engine compartment for better cold weather starting?? I've read several Older Wabasto threads...I'm still uncertain. Thanks in advance.


Webasto Thermo Top Evo GAS Coolant Heater 12V 5KW | eBay

 

[sved]

It will warm your engine and the interior.
I have a Eberspächer diesel heater 24V and never had a problem with it in 18 years.
You only need to make sure your battery is up to date .It will consume some amp's ,specially in 12V specs.
That's why i love the 24V HJ60 and HJ61.
So get the biggest battery that fits (100 AH) .
There ar lots of accesory's that you can get to devide the heat between the engine and cabin just like you want it.
There are remote controls,mobile phone app,time clocks to start the heater when ever you planned it.

Install is straight forward,basic tools and some electrical knowledge would do it.2 days max to fix that job,if you do it yourself and take the time to do it right and neath.

 

[cruiserpilot]

There is a difference now between the ones we got over ten years ago. This looks like a newer model
and it has an external pump by the looks. There are certain differences. I have an old style Webasto and
I can run it continually, but from information I get from co worker on a newer Espar it can't be run
at the same time as the engine.
I have 12V Webasto, have had it for about 5 years. I only had trouble when the exhaust froze over
and blocked it. I had to send it away for service. But I do really like it and recommend installing one
if you want warm engine cold weather starts. Really does make a difference.

 

[FJACS]

I’ve had pretty good luck with the cheaper 110v electric versions of these that tie into a coolant line. I assume this warms the interior via the heater core - does it tie into the blower motor and switch that on and off as well?

 

[cruiserpilot]

You MUST leave the heater selected to hot in order for the coolant to flow. I'd say most, like myself, plumb them so they
heat the coolant from the Webasto into the main cabin heater first, then it returns to the engine, heats the engine coolant
and is reheated again back just prior to entering the cabin. You could plumb it to heat the motor first but getting the fresh warm
effect in the cabin is more desirable. If you left the main fan on, even on low, you'd kill your battery pretty quick I expect.
Maybe there are some who have the fan on the timer switch but I'm way too paranoid for that.
You'll have to decide for yourself. There is one really good thread on installing into an 80 in that forum and lots of people
have chimed into that one.
My webasto is installed directly against the firewall by the heater but down low. I run the exhaust behind the shield and
it exits behind the front tire on the RH side. I have my inlet air line extending down along the transmission tunnel so the
air is drawn uphill. I've been in some/many water crossings without incident.
Here are some pics, my 60 has a 12HT so not sure how your heater lines work.
I just ran a T from the fuel line by the motor. One thing to remember is keep the fuel pump level, and be really careful to follow
installation instructions concerning the fuel line.

 

[cruiserpilot]

The hardest part is fabbing up bracket to hold the heater.
I permanently mounted a channel to the firewall, but use a notched system so I can loosen the nuts, and remover
the heater. It worked great as I was able to remove the heater for service and just circle the heater lines temporarily while
I removed it for service and still drive the truck around
I just reach in with a flex head 10 mm gear wrench and it comes out in 5 minutes. Handy!!

Here is a pic I got from another install. It seems to be really sturdy too.

 

[WSOPgold2012]

Thanks for Al the replies

 

[franklin40]

totally worth it. i had mine installed though because i just didn’t have the time to do it myself but i love it. the dealer that did mine was one who installed a lot of them. he said that he’s had a number of people who have had though starting when they were plumbed directly into the fuel
line so he recommended running its own line to the fuel tank. i had to drop my tank to change fuel pick up anyway so that’s the route i went. makes it a bigger job that way for sure. i haven’t heard of others having rough starting on this forum so it might be a non landcruiser issue but just a heads up if you run across that as an issue. apparently it can starve the engine or something. i have mine run directly into the block as i want my engine warm more than i want interior warm. keep you’re hose as short as possible to keep as much heat in as you can. i had about 6 feet of hose to start with but changed the location of the heater so now i only have about a foot and i can tell it warms better. and yes keep your heater valve open or it won’t flow to interior. i’ve never turned mine to cold in the winter anyway so it’s a non issue for me

 

[cruiserpilot]

BTW, my fuel feed lines are that plastic line, it's very small diameter and in my eye fragile. So if you look
I ran it through a rubber fuel line which protects it from melting, kinking, and chafing.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I'd say most, like myself, plumb them so they
heat the coolant from the Webasto into the main cabin heater first, then it returns to the engine, heats the engine coolant
and is reheated again back just prior to entering the cabin. You could plumb it to heat the motor first but getting the fresh warm
effect in the cabin is more desirable.

5 Year UPDATE:
First I removed the rear under seat heater a couple of years ago.
Second, be really careful with your exhaust. I routed mine just behind the front wheelwell so it sticks out a couple of
inches. There is a pic above. One day coming out of low level Mackenzie River delta at just above freezing I got pretty
muddy all up behind the tires and it was stuck on pretty good. Camped that night and it froze solid! Blocked my exhaust,
so in the morning I turned on the webasto. Taking down the roof tent when I saw smoke and it had already blown it's fuse.
The mud was enough to make a cold -15C morning seem a lot colder!
Third, after I deleted the rear heater I did a coolant hose reroute. Now the Webasto heats the engine block first. I realized I need
to start the engine first anyway to get the benefit of the preheat. To be honest it heats the cabin thru the vent faster than before.
Still going strong, still one of the best accessories I've got in the truck.