Day 89: Installing Diesel Heater Under Front Passenger Seat – Day 2

diesel heater being installed underneath a passenger seat in a camper van, set against a desert backdrop in Phoenix, AZ.

Projects

Continuation of installation of diesel heater

Project Status

Heater installation needs to be completed

Time Spent

7 Hours

Steps Taken

Place heater with extruding tubes at mounting location underneath passenger seat
Mount air intake tube and filter underneath van with provided metal clamp and self tapping metal bolt
Mount exhaust tube with with provided metal clamp and self tapping metal bolt (provided as part of diesel heater kit)
Strengthen the mount of the air intake tube and filter with provided self tapping metal screw and metal zip tie (metal zip tie not part of kit)
Strengthen the mount of exhaust tube with provided self tapping metal screw and metal zip tie
Mount fuel intake tube with metal zip ties and provided
Mount fuel filter with 3 provided bolts, 3 metal zip ties, and one provided hose clamp
Mount fuel pump with provided rubber mount, bolt, washer, and nut
Use 2 provided plastic zip ties to temporarily mount remaining fuel intake tubing for later installation and routing of diesel fuel tank
Mount heater on floor with 3 provided self tapping metal screws (Needs one additional self tapping metal screw from my own supply)
Cut out portion of metal passenger seat platform with power drill and step bit, reciprocating saw, and grinder
Cut off metal handle of passenger seat platform (it is not necessary and will interfere with the panel I will install that will cover the back of the platform and hold the heater vent and tubing)
Use metal file and sand paper to sand down cuts in metal passenger seat platform

Tools and Materials Used

Notes

The black substance you see on the undercarriage of the van is Fluid Film Black – Power Rust & Corrosion Protection which I applied to the entire undercarriage of the van (except the exhaust parts)

Today I mostly worked on my back underneath the van.

2 of my 4 RhinoGear RhinoRamps MAX Vehicle Ramps were destroyed when I attempted to drive the van on them. They previously started to crack and break, and today they were completely destroyed. They actually got caught under the van and I had to drive around in the parking lot just to shake them loose. I do not recommend buying these ramps, and I hope I can receive free replacements because they weren’t cheap.

Since I don’t have a vehicle lift to stand and work under, working under the van on my back for long hours is physically and mentally exhausting. I have to use abdominal, upper body, and neck strength to keep my head off the ground looking where I am working and also use my hands. Even with the ramps, it is very cramped and tight under the van, especially since I could only lift the front two wheels today as the other 2 ramps were destroyed.