Mid-Level Heater Vents

[Warmachine]

I've been playing with the idea of adding mid-level vents to my dash center section. The temp here lately has prompted me to get something in the works. Started mocking it up today and am pretty pleased with the results thus far.

Crappy cell phone pic...
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/WarMachine_1949/1977Cherokee/DashVents-Center.jpg


Found a set of donor vents and trim that fit the ashtray and clock holes on either side of the radio pretty darn well. Still need to modify the surronds for the vents themselves, don't have them in place in the picture. At this point I'm still trying to avoid any modification to the actual dash metal itself... it's just a whim afterall. Should have the air diverter box together tomorrow.

[Ristow]

that'll look good,as long as you can fit the trim around the vents.

good idea.

[thejum57]

That's an AWESOME idea!!! If you pull it off, can you get pics under the dash??

[Warmachine]

You bet, more pictures as things progress. Have a cardboard diverter box mocked up in place for now. Sits in place of the original defrost "elbows" that were mounted on top the air plenum. From the diverter box there are two flex hose run to the defrosts, two run to the mid-level vents. All I really need to do tomorrow is pick up a push/pull knob and cable tomorrow and sort out the flapper for inside the diverter box.

If anyone has done/seen this before, let me know! I'd really like seeing how others did it. Am I the only wuss to the cold here...can't be! LOL

[JeepBountyHunter]

Great idea..I"m always a fan of havng that 'in your face heat' from the dash. Considering you don't need the ash tray, nor the clock as you have a radio with clock, that's a perfect upgrade. Get a plastic welder at Harbor Freight and weld together a new plastic plenum for your setup....(just a thought)...
But I give this all a thumbs up..keep us posted.
Aaron

[Jayrodoh]

If it works, you can change your name to Warmmachine :)

[Warmachine]

Started laying out the box template on the thinnest metal I had laying around the shop...wasn't working out too well. Started digging for plastic...At one point not too long ago I worked for a plastics company...but do ya think I could find anything worth a darn laying around?? Tossed most of what I had, figuring I'd never need that kinda crap taking up space...lol

[Warmachine]

Another woo hoo for the weekend...got the vents installed and functional! Not 100% complete though, will probably tear it all out and replumb things...take a little more time in fabrication now that I know it works.

Another crappy cell phone pic
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n245/WarMachine_1949/1977Cherokee/DashVents-Center-Finished.jpg

Will follow up with more pictures of the plumbing when I get it slightly less duct/electrical tape, and more psuedo-proffessional looking. But what the hey, I now have 4 levels of lukewarm air to choose from....defrost, mix (defrost and mid-level), mid-level, and floor heat! I'm still jazzed... :D

[Ristow]

lookin' good.