Heater/Defroster Needed or Not?

[Scott Zackowski]

Is a heater and/or defroster needed?
I live in North Carolina and do want to drive it on cold days when the weather is dry.

Pros and Cons of Factory Five's Unit?
Pros and Cons of Whitby's Unit?


Factory Five's Heater/Defroster - From what I can tell Factory Five's Heater is higher BTU's and includes a Defroster. The Factory Five unit precludes a glove box. Is there trouble running the driver side heater vent hose around the center dash frame support? Someone posted pictures where they cut out the center frame support. Does the entire unit fit between the firewall and dash or does the heater coil mount on the engine side of the firewall?

Whitby's Heater - From what I can tell it is lower BTU's and does not include a defroster. How important is a defroster? Does their unit interfere with a glovebox? How is it mounted?


Roadster Mk4, 3-Link
FFR# 7304
Scott Z

[NicksPapaw]

The F5 heater can fit behind the dash, but, you need to take it apart and add a hose between the fan and heater coil. If you leave it as shipped, the fan is placed on the engine side of the firewall. I like my heater unit, but I LOVE the seat heaters I installed. Would do both again. But hindsight being what it is, I would also add A/C to the build. Sure would come in handy on these blistering summer days.

[Mesa Mike]

I lived in Northern California when I installed my FF5 heater. Now that I live in AZ, I'm still glad I have it. Believe it or not we do use the heater in the winter months down here. Tough to add later on so I'd say go for it. Also, I didn't use the defrost ducts on the inside of the windshield. Instead I placed them over the driver and passenger knee on the 2X2. I mostly let the heater dump heat into my wife's lap. I mounted the switches on a horizital plate between the bottom of the dash and the 2X2 cross member. It hides the switches just like my 12V outlet for my cell phone charger/cig lighter.

[3kcarbon]

Summit sell one that will work simple and under $150.00. The FFR unit is installed on both side of the firewall. I reworked the FFR unit to hide behind the dash. The heater hoses come in at the right W/S post. Leave the firewall clean and uses cabin air to heat. You can come smoke mine over if you want.

[AJ Roadster NJ]

I'm not on the road yet, but I'm opting for the MG crowd's solution. I have two 12V car warmer blankets from Griot's that will plug into a power socket. I am putting the two power sockets under the dash.

Way cheaper than a heater, but most importantly NO WEIGHT PENALTY. A heater and all its components, plus the extra coolant, really add up to a lot. Not worth it at all in my book.

[Someday I Suppose]

Scott, just make sure you check with the local regulations before making a final decision, in NJ a heater / defroster is not required by law, but in PA a defroster is required.

I didn't put one in mine, I went with heated seats, and figured the heat off the engine would keep my feet warm.

_Scott

[Flyer]

I knew my wife would want a heater. Its part of the car that makes it
her car too, and that is a very good thing.

We both like it. Its the basic box that fits behind the dash where the glove box
would go. The weight was maybe 5#.

Its one of those things that after you have owned the car for awhile you appreciate.
I do not have the defroster option. Its not an issue for us.

When building the car, I often made decisions on how hard it would be to add an
item after the car was built. The heater was one of those items.

Good luck!

Rick

[Arch]

I have FFR's heater and seat heaters. I am very glad to have them.
Unless you intend putting a top on your car, the defroster isn't necessary.
Arch

[Gumball]

I'm adding both a soft top and heater/defroster to my car - trying to make it as useful as possible for longer trips and late season northern Midwest drives.

[Russ Thompson]

I built mine without one and then had to drive home one night in a COLD norcal evening, added one the very next week. I used one of the cheaper box type heaters and plumbed two of the vents over to the driver side and the passenger opens the center flap when I have someone along.

I say ADD the heater, it give you more comfortable days to drive the car.

[CraigS]

I know you are in NC so that definately helps but...do a heater. I am in the DC area and drive my car all year as long a snow snow or rain. Do you ever leave the house at 6pm to go to a friends or dinner and then return at 10pm? Remember how cool it is at 10pm? Just do it, you will be glad you did.

[Pierre B]

I came to my MKII after over 30 years of motorcycling, and I do the vast majority of my driving alone, or with my son who also rides bikes. During those years, I rode motorcycles here in New England under the same weather and temperature conditions described above, except that I relied on motorcycle clothing (which I still have though I don't ride much any more) for warmth. I simply treat my MKII like a four-wheel bike and dress appropriately for the weather. As for defogging the windshield, I never found a need for that, probably because, in the roadster, both sides of the glass are essentially the same temperature.
To me, then, the need for heaters or defrosters are a function of riding style and local climate. What I have done works well for me, but it might not for someone else.

[MARIAH]

Scott, MARIAH has the box heater in use a few years ago and defrost plenum made from a 65-66 Mustang piece grafted to the box. After 7-8 years I finally installed a heater cutoff valve.

Bottom line for us in our travels and uses the heater is a great addition to our enjoyment. The heat is welcome to Kay's lap and my right hand and lap. Our defrost is marginal but desired. The cutoff valve prevents turning the metal heater box into a heat sink under the dash in the Summer.

I doubt you will be disappointed in the addition of the heater/defroster.