Illustration accompanying 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

  1. Continuation of installation of diesel heater

Project Status

  1. Heater installation needs to be completed

Time Spent

7 Hours

Steps Taken

  1. Place heater with extruding tubes at mounting location underneath passenger seat
  2. Mount air intake tube and filter underneath van with provided metal clamp and self tapping metal bolt
  3. Mount exhaust tube with with provided metal clamp and self tapping metal bolt (provided as part of diesel heater kit)
  4. 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)
  5. Strengthen the mount of exhaust tube with provided self tapping metal screw and metal zip tie
  6. Mount fuel intake tube with metal zip ties and provided
  7. Mount fuel filter with 3 provided bolts, 3 metal zip ties, and one provided hose clamp
  8. Mount fuel pump with provided rubber mount, bolt, washer, and nut
  9. Use 2 provided plastic zip ties to temporarily mount remaining fuel intake tubing for later installation and routing of diesel fuel tank
  10. Mount heater on floor with 3 provided self tapping metal screws (Needs one additional self tapping metal screw from my own supply)
  11. Cut out portion of metal passenger seat platform with power drill and step bit, reciprocating saw, and grinder
  12. 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)
  13. Use metal file and sand paper to sand down cuts in metal passenger seat platform

Plans For Tomorrow

  1. Finish installation of diesel heater

Tools And Materials Used

Dewalt DW4892 12-Piece Reciprocating Saw Blade Set W/ Telescoping Case

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Dewalt - DW8062 - 10,Pk DW8062 4-1/2"X.045"x7/8" Metal Angle Grinder Thin Cutoff Wheel, 10 Pack

Dewalt - DW8062 - 10,Pk DW8062 4-1/2"X.045"x7/8" Metal Angle Grinder Thin Cutoff Wheel, 10 Pack

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Dewalt DCD794B 20V MAX Atomic Compact Series Brushless Lithium-Ion 1/2 In. Cordless Drill Driver

Dewalt DCD794B 20V MAX Atomic Compact Series Brushless Lithium-Ion 1/2 In. Cordless Drill Driver

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Dewalt Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set, Pilot Point, 21-Piece

Dewalt Titanium Nitride Coated Drill Bit Set, Pilot Point, 21-Piece

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Dura-Gold Premium - 40 Grit Gold - Hook & Loop Backing Longboard Continuous Sandpaper Roll

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34 Pcs Woodworking Chamfer Drilling Tools Including 6 Countersink Drill Bit Set, 7 Countersink Drill Bit, 8 Plug Cutters For Woodworking, 3 Step Drill Bit And 8 Drill Stop Bit Collar Set

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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.

Pictures

under van showing where heater tubes extrude from floor
under van showing where heater tubes extrude from floor
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
air intake, exhaust, and fuel intake tubes from diesel heater under van
under van showing air intake tube and air filter mounted
under van showing air intake tube and air filter mounted
metal diesel heater exhaust tube mounted under van
metal diesel heater exhaust tube mounted under van
air intake tube and air filter mounted under van with metal zip tie and metal clamp
air intake tube and air filter mounted under van with metal zip tie and metal clamp
exhaust tube, fuel filter, and fuel intake tubing mounted under van for diesel heater
exhaust tube, fuel filter, and fuel intake tubing mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel filter and fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel filter and fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
fuel pump mounted under van for diesel heater
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
visibility of diesel heater components mounted under van from passenger exterior of van
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
Day 89: Installing Diesel Heater Under Front Passenger Seat - Day 2 — reference image
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
orange and black diesel heater for camper van installed under passenger seat
hole cut in metal passenger seat platform in camper van for later installation of diesel heater exhaust vent and tubing
hole cut in metal passenger seat platform in camper van for later installation of diesel heater exhaust vent and tubing

Short Video

https://youtu.be/eZHVJkpOoqg