Relocating block heater plug...

[Kodiak]

Has anyone come up with a relocation point for the plug? I don't like opening the hood each time, and with my cold, sleepy hands I'm banging the return lines for the coolers.



Maybe someone has found a shore-plug type of device?

 

[JRG]

Take a look at my gallery. There is a pic there for you. Just ask if you have any Q's



JRG

 

[JHardwick]

Hmmm, mine lays on the front bumper, so did my '99?

 

[robobx]

I fed mine down through the opening below the front bumper. when not in use it's tucked into the tow hook.

 

[JHardwick]

there should be a clip up on the core support to hold the plug up out of the way when not in use.

 

[lil red cummins]

i moved mine down to the opening IN the middle of the bumper next to the front license plate. (ohio junk).

i cable tied it to the big bracket that holds the air conditioning condensor. when not in use, it hangs behind the bumper. when i need it, i just pull it through the opening and plug in.

jim

 

[jelag]

I'm very forgetful... ... I went to Lowes and picked up a 3 ft, 14 gauge extension cord and ran mine across and out below the drivers side headlight... . It hangs out about 5" and so far hasn't banged around or done any damage in about 10K... I picked up a cord that is like a dryer cord... really stiff so it doesn't blow around... the plug protector moved from the powercord to the extension cord...



I'm now in the habbit to glance at it each time I get into the truck... we've had -20 here but even with some cardboard in front of the rad... between the rad and intercooler the engine won't heat up enough to keep the cab warm at 35 - 45 mph. . does fine on the highway. . just not around town... .



Thats my way to solve the problem.....

 

[Prairie Dog]

Do you mean something like the plug I have to the right of my lic plate? It's a marine batt charger inlet ($20) that accepts any regular female end of an extension cord. The contacts are SS and it seals weather tight when closed. Just have to drill about a 2" hole in your bumper (easy w/holesaw). Looks factory IMO.

 

[silverram03]

Just curious why nobody that does NOT have the tow hooks hasn't tryed to get a receptacle(with the sealed lid) to permanately mount your plugs in the plastic where the tow hooks would normally go. I think there would be sufficient room for a permanent mount.

 

[stg2500]

Here is how I did it on my 2001. I am sure you could do something similar on a 3rd Gen. I connected an extension cord to the existing plug and tie wrapped it to the harness on the botom of the radiator core support. The extension cord was cut to length and connected to the appropriate terminals on the back of the outlet. I purchased the outlet, cover and cover gasket from the local Pete dealer. I think it was around $20.



Check out my readers rig section for pictures.

 

[Kodiak]

Good ideas, all!

Thanks for the good replies and ideas.



What I'd like to accomplish is what Prairie Dog and stg2500 have done. I love built-ins!

 

[Bill Stockard]

Originally posted by stg2500

Here is how I did it on my 2001. I am sure you could do something similar on a 3rd Gen. I connected an extension cord to the existing plug and tie wrapped it to the harness on the bottom of the radiator core support. The extension cord was cut to length and connected to the appropriate terminals on the back of the outlet. I purchased the outlet, cover and cover gasket from the local Pete dealer. I think it was around $20.



Check out my readers rig section for pictures.

Yep. that's what you get on most medium and heavy duty trucks when the engine block heater is ordered from the factory. Usually the receptacle is mounted right under the driver's door so hopefully the driver will unplug it before driving off.



Bill

 

[boonsur]

I've wondered about mounting something inside the cab. This way, corrosion wouldn't be a problem (wouldn't have water on the contacts), it'd be easier to plug in (in theory the cab would be dry/warm), and it'd be a great reminder to unplug before you drive off. My biggest concern is what the extension cord would do to the door seal.



Any thoughts?

 

[dnitzel]

I ran an extension cord wrapped with plastic tubing back to the box. Cut off the plug on the 12 ga cord, fed it through the frame and up into the box. My garage is too short to plug it in when I pull into it. Another cords hangs from the ceiling, never forget to unplug it. Works great.

 

[TBrennan]

Check out this article over at TheDieselStop (Ford) site. I just ordered the Marinco bulkhead AC ("Charger Inlet") adapter so I can have a weatherproof connector somewhere accessible outside the engine compartment.



Currently thinking the front air dam.

 

[boonsur]

The "battery charger adaptor" (bulkhead fitting) is available at West Marine stores/website. I think their price is about $18, but I may be off.



Edit: I just found it online. Trying the link:



http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...001&langId=-1&catalogId=10001&productId=14773

 

[nickleinonen]

i have mine hanging out through/above the bumper and the end is zip-tied to the front licence plate. works good enough for me...

 

[Kodiak]

boonsur



Thanks for the web address. That's the exact piece I was thinking about! I just ordered one.



When I get it installed, I'll give an after-action report.