correct, stock heater for '56 CJ5

Which heater are you talking about Tommy? There's been so many pics posted on this thread, I'm not sure which you're referring to. '57 might be what I need for my '56, but I don't know...haven't seen any signs of any "little control box" on my dash, no holes anyway.

Got any photos of the heater and control box? Even if you already have a buyer, I'd like to see photos of it, if you don't mind.

Thanks!

Ron

 

I had a '56 with an original heater, but sold the jeep. My '59 has the same setup that the '56 had. When I get home, I can send some photos if no one else has sent any. FWIW, my experience with jeep heaters has been a little different that others. I run a soft half-cab, and with a new, clean and unplugged heater core, I get plenty of heat for VA winters.

I REALLY think that a lot of the cores out there are probably for the most part rusted shut, hence the lack of heat output. I stay warm enough in Percival - as a half cab rig. Defrost on the other hand . . . Well that's another story. I'm still using the 46 year old fan motor, so I don't know if a new fan motor would help or not. When mine dies, I'll let you know!

 

i have pics of the control box but not the heater...but it is the same as the one pic'd below. i do not have a buyer and actually don't even know what to ask. i just decided not to run it cause i am going to run a different kind of heater.
the controls are at http://photobucket.com/albums/0903/TCXJWAGONEER/?sc=1&multi=2

it is the green thing with buttons

Tommy

 

Thanks Tommy, but my '56 definitely never had that big box heater on the driver side firewall, my firewall doesn't have the big rectangular cutouts required for that heater. That may have been an original for all I know, but I don't want to go through putting one of those in.

John, I'd definitely like to see a photo(s) of the one you're talking about!

 

Tommy's photo depicts the proper factory heater for the '55-59 CJ5s. I've owned all but a '57 of that year range.

There are holes on the passenger side firewall for heater hoses, but those are I think (stress THINK) holdovers from the 3B firewall tooling. Most of the early aftermarked heaters were hung on the passenger side.

I seem to recall reading that the heater was an $80-90 option in the old days - a lot of money at the time, so I'm sure a lot of Jeeps were sold without the heater, and one was promptly installed after (or during) the first winter of ownership. Why buy one from the dealer for ~$80 when Sears sold them for probably $15 or $20.

At any rate, that is the factory heater. I can take pics of the controls if you need. Controls for the early CJs are hard to find in good shape . . .

Hope this helps-

Eck

 

That ugly mother is the correct factory heater for a '56? Woof!

Shouldn't my firewall have cutouts for something like that, with cover plates if not equipped with a heater? This is my firewall....

 

Ditto here. My '59 (that is pending a sale) has that very same heater box. Figures now that I read this thread, I realize my '56, with an aftermarket Guam metal replacement body, does not have any heater at all! Perhaps I should have cannibalized the '59 before I offered it! But a deal is a deal so I gotta let it go, heater and all!

I've kinda been looking into the Vintage Air system for a/c, heat, and defrost. A little pricey but they get good reviews, have several universal applications for fitting in about any vehicle, and have nice control panels to boot. I'll be looking into these other alternatives mentioned, as well. BTW, I need a/c down here in GA because it gets so hot and humid, I could use cold air blowing even with the top off!

 

I think the cover plates came later on the original Willy's CJ5s- come to think of it, the '55 I had didn't have a heater or the cut out. I'm sure it was after dealer's complained about the extra work to "retrofit" heater boxes.

Percival has a new body, and the new bodies from the Philipines don't have heater cutouts either.

Hope this helps-

 

It is highly possible that a Harrison Heater might work without the need for cutting the drivers side firewall. Finding one and restoring it...now thats some work!http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Photos/Tech/Heater/HeaterWillys.JPG
http://www.film.queensu.ca/CJ3B/Tech/Heater.html

 

Thanks a million Grumpy!!! That second link led to lots of great info and photos for my "heater" file.

Never heard of the Harrison, kinda big and ugly and takes up lots of space, but very retro looking.

 

After digging through my stuff I found the heater I THINK came with the 65. sorry it took so long to reply.

 

Thanks Clay!!! Very interesting, haven't seen one like that yet, and it says Willys on it! Very cool. You gonna restore that puppy and put it in the '56 I assume? I wouldn't let that one get away, IMO.

 

I will restore this one most likely but that time is way off. now I'm only looking at the front axle. Glad I could help with a photo. I think thats the original but if not it is cool