2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission mounting a espar hydronic

[ROrr]

i have recently got hold a HYDRONIC 5. with what i guess is a standard installation kit.



installing the unit underneath to the frame rail dose not appeal to me, gravel roads, salt, heavy snow, ect. any comments? to experience with it mounted there



searching found a "kit" from espar, that included a frame bracket to accompany the "saddle bracket" to install it on driver side by the brake line supports ,, see link

same for 12v and 24v



http://www.espar.com/tech_manuals/Pi... (Nov98).pdf

http://www.espar.com/tech_manuals/Pi... (Feb00).pdf



so seeing it being hosted on Espar site i contacted and not available any more.



is there any one out there that has used this bracket?

some one out there that sells this mount?



or any other ideas to keep the unit better protected

 

[Don Bellamy]

In 2004 I bought the unit and mounted it per the instructions using the saddle bracket. It takes some time but mounts up nice. When you get it up and operating, in the warm months be sure to run it a time or two a month to prevent any problems from setting idle.



It is a very good unit, warms the engine fast in cold weather and heats the cab very well and consumes very little fuel.

Don

 

[DMcLeod]

When I looked into that dodge frame bracket, I didn't like the fact of routing the coolant hoses accross the top of the engine. This procedure was written up in a TDR mag I believe. I read it a few years ago. I purchased the generic kit like you mention and used flat steel bar to build a simple bracket that attaches the heater to the passenger side fenderwell. This makes for very short coolant hose routing and probably better efficiency. The downside is that the fuel line routing is a bit longer. I poked electrical right through the firewall below the glovebox and tied into the hvac fan there.

 

[Don Bellamy]

The water pump has more than enough push for the coolant as designed by those engineers, the kit that came with the unit works real well, the only part of the install I did not care for was connecting the fuel line to the tank. I mentioned I installed this in 04, that was incorrect it was installed in 1999.



As info, if it is mounted per instructions you can remove the unit from the top, don't have to go back under the truck, I had to remove mine after 2 yrs account the pump went out for lack of use(run once a month in warm weather)

 

[Don Bellamy]

Also remember the run relay mounting block moumts on the driver side and runs to the fuse box on driver side and then runs to the timer in the cab, wiring harness supplied was just long enough if installed per instructions.

 

[WDaniels]

I have the wabeso, blue heat heater for my truck. It is mounted just behing the front right of the bumper, high enough to keep any spray and junk off of it. Works great there. Hope this helps.

WD

 

[DMcLeod]

I've seen a few installed behind bumper on passenger side around here as well. Maybe blue heat has a dodge specific kit now - didn't when I purchased the generic kit. Would be worth looking into. The generic kit has plenty of wire for either left or right side installation (I was left with several feet extra). My controls are about centered in cab, so it was easier to run through firewall at passenger side since I tied into heater fan there anyhow. I didn't tie into factory fuse panel, as kit came with in-line fuse. I pulled power from passenger side battery. IMHO passenger side install is cleaner-looking, without 2 coolandt hoses draped over the top of the engine.

 

[ROrr]

i have decide on the spot center front bumper seems cleanest safest functioning location
will update on how it goes - asked my neighbor hood shop and said they put theres on fender passenger side between battery and oil filter, (not allot a real estate) to some mention that it didn't seem low enough, will update how it goes.
one possible problem . .
fuel from tank to front, hope don't need a accessory fuel pump, any thoughts

 

[ROrr]

mounted and no problems in fuel delivery

bring on the winter LOL

 

[DMcLeod]

Way2Go! You're gonna love it! Did you end up building a custom bracket, or did you find a bracket that simplified installing behind the front bumper? Is your fuel pump with the heater unit or mounted separately? Just keep an eye on your fuel line and hoses from time to time. Run the heater once a month at least (as recommended).