I figured out a way to add a fuel heater to the GDP kit. I decided to do this after my fuel gelled, I was without transportation for a day and did a lot of walking #@$%! . The parts are all Fleetguard or off the shelf. I confirmed with Fleetguard that the heater, since it is controlled by a thermostat like our stock heater, can then be plugged into the OEM wiring harness. Our OEM heater if I remember correctly is also higher wattage so this replacement heater will not tax the system.
Here's the parts list:
Fleetguard 3836029S 300W/12 VDC fuel warmer, Lists ~$190
Fleetguard 3837317S fuel warmer adapter, Lists ~$40
Metripack 280 series sealed female connector to connect to OEM harness
Hints on where to buy the above:
#3836029S is often listed on EBAY. I bought it for $45. I started telling people about this project so the heater is starting to sell quick on EBAY... :-laf
#3837317S I had to buy from a Fleetguard distributor.
Metripack connectors from here:
http://www.terminalsupplyco.com/products/prod_catalog_pdf.asp
The connectors are on page 47 of their online catalog.
http://www.terminalsupplyco.com/pdfviewer/default.asp?chapter=terminals&page=p047
You can order online or call and ask for DeAnne Arata. You only need the female 2 terminal 280 Series sealed connector to plug into the engine harness. Make sure you buy the terminals, connector body, cavity seals, and terminal lock - the catalog pretty much explains it. As a side note lots of our truck's connectors are Metripack so if you need a replacement for your truck projects you can buy them here. Fleetguard #3836029S comes with an unterminated on one end harness so the Metripack connector goes on that end.
Here's what the parts look like. First the completed installation:
/webdata/photopost/data/500/medium/fuel-warmer3.jpg#ad
Here's Fleetguard #3836029S. Sorry for the image quality as I copied it from a black-and-white catalog. You are only going to use the paddle shaped object (the heater), rubber O-ring gaskets, as well as the harness that is terminated on one end.
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Here's Fleetguard #3837317S. Again sorry for the image quality. If you are using the Fleetguard filter head that comes with the GDP kit. You only need to unscrew the threaded adapter and then install the longer threaded adapter (object to extreme right in photo) that comes with #3837317S. Yes, you pay $40 just to get a threaded adapter! Note that you can use the whole kit, but it just means that the filter will hang down about another 2 inches from the filter head, which could limit ground clearance.
#ad
Here's a picture of the stock Fleetguard adapter. The center just unscrews. Some say easily, but I had to use a pipe wrench and basically screwed up the threads :-laf . The longer threaded adapter has squared ends so that an open end wrench can be used to thread it on.
/webdata/photopost/data/500/medium/fuel-warmer4.jpg#ad
I mentioned earlier that if you use the whole adapter kit #3837317S then the filter hangs down 2" extra. On my truck I didn't buy the whole GDP kit and instead made my own filter head mount that really tucks the filters up next to the frame rail and up high. The water separator drain before I installed this heater hung down 1" farther than the 2 micron filter. By adding just the heater, the 2 micron filter hangs down 1" more and actually protects the separator drain by shielding it better.
Why did I add the heater to only the 2 micron filter? Well, I just reasoned that the 2 micron would gell first. I also reasoned that the heat from the heater would conduct eventually to the water separator. The heater kit also comes with a switch and relay so that you can turn the heater on or off separately. The instructions do say not to turn the heater on for more than 2 minutes before the truck starts. I just wanted to keep the wiring simple and used the OEM harness, which has a relay and fuse installed already. I also added wire loom to protect the heater harness and to keep things OEM like.
Another tip is that when you install the wiring harness to the heater you need to remove the fuel filter otherwise the connector will not snap in, i. e. , the clip hits the filter. I actually trimmed the connector clip so that it fits, albeit snugly, between the heater and filter.
If you guys want, I have the Fleetguard cold weather products catalog in PDF form to email you so that you can see what Fleetguard has available for our trucks in cold weather operation.
Here's the parts list:
Fleetguard 3836029S 300W/12 VDC fuel warmer, Lists ~$190
Fleetguard 3837317S fuel warmer adapter, Lists ~$40
Metripack 280 series sealed female connector to connect to OEM harness
Hints on where to buy the above:
#3836029S is often listed on EBAY. I bought it for $45. I started telling people about this project so the heater is starting to sell quick on EBAY... :-laf
#3837317S I had to buy from a Fleetguard distributor.
Metripack connectors from here:
http://www.terminalsupplyco.com/products/prod_catalog_pdf.asp
The connectors are on page 47 of their online catalog.
http://www.terminalsupplyco.com/pdfviewer/default.asp?chapter=terminals&page=p047
You can order online or call and ask for DeAnne Arata. You only need the female 2 terminal 280 Series sealed connector to plug into the engine harness. Make sure you buy the terminals, connector body, cavity seals, and terminal lock - the catalog pretty much explains it. As a side note lots of our truck's connectors are Metripack so if you need a replacement for your truck projects you can buy them here. Fleetguard #3836029S comes with an unterminated on one end harness so the Metripack connector goes on that end.
Here's what the parts look like. First the completed installation:
/webdata/photopost/data/500/medium/fuel-warmer3.jpg#ad
Here's Fleetguard #3836029S. Sorry for the image quality as I copied it from a black-and-white catalog. You are only going to use the paddle shaped object (the heater), rubber O-ring gaskets, as well as the harness that is terminated on one end.

Here's Fleetguard #3837317S. Again sorry for the image quality. If you are using the Fleetguard filter head that comes with the GDP kit. You only need to unscrew the threaded adapter and then install the longer threaded adapter (object to extreme right in photo) that comes with #3837317S. Yes, you pay $40 just to get a threaded adapter! Note that you can use the whole kit, but it just means that the filter will hang down about another 2 inches from the filter head, which could limit ground clearance.

Here's a picture of the stock Fleetguard adapter. The center just unscrews. Some say easily, but I had to use a pipe wrench and basically screwed up the threads :-laf . The longer threaded adapter has squared ends so that an open end wrench can be used to thread it on.
/webdata/photopost/data/500/medium/fuel-warmer4.jpg#ad
I mentioned earlier that if you use the whole adapter kit #3837317S then the filter hangs down 2" extra. On my truck I didn't buy the whole GDP kit and instead made my own filter head mount that really tucks the filters up next to the frame rail and up high. The water separator drain before I installed this heater hung down 1" farther than the 2 micron filter. By adding just the heater, the 2 micron filter hangs down 1" more and actually protects the separator drain by shielding it better.
Why did I add the heater to only the 2 micron filter? Well, I just reasoned that the 2 micron would gell first. I also reasoned that the heat from the heater would conduct eventually to the water separator. The heater kit also comes with a switch and relay so that you can turn the heater on or off separately. The instructions do say not to turn the heater on for more than 2 minutes before the truck starts. I just wanted to keep the wiring simple and used the OEM harness, which has a relay and fuse installed already. I also added wire loom to protect the heater harness and to keep things OEM like.
Another tip is that when you install the wiring harness to the heater you need to remove the fuel filter otherwise the connector will not snap in, i. e. , the clip hits the filter. I actually trimmed the connector clip so that it fits, albeit snugly, between the heater and filter.
If you guys want, I have the Fleetguard cold weather products catalog in PDF form to email you so that you can see what Fleetguard has available for our trucks in cold weather operation.
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