I’ve found lots of images from other members quite useful in my conversion. I’m trying to give back a little.
I did a fair amount of research on non main line diesel heaters. I settled on the Lavaner Pro. On an independent review site, they spoke about the pros and cons of all. It was at the higher end of the Chinese Diesel heaters, but fitted my requirements. It was £211 delivered on Ali Express, presumably from a U.K. depot, since it was with me in 3 days.
a.aliexpress.com
It comes with a couple of different mounting options, but I ordered this which has worked well. £10.15 delivered.
a.aliexpress.com
As far as fitting, I went the usual external route. The bracket fit well and the heater mounted up well.
I did purchase a Riv Nut tool which is needed.
EBay item number: 385544534293 £28. I did have a link, but the forum removed it.
I’ve got a 72 T6.1 and the fuel pump had a white nipple on it that when removed, and adapter can slide straight onto it. There’s no need to take the pump out.
Here’s the adapter: EF789ID4
The Bay item: 164492914906. I did have a link, but it seems the forum removed it.
I placed a motorcycle lift under the fuel tank (trolley jack would do) and took the weight of the empty fuel tank. I loosened the two strap bolts at the front of the tank, and removed the center and rear strap bolts.
Also open the fuel cap and remove the 3 torks bolts holding on the rubber housing. This will lift out and bring with it a drain hose. Remove the 1 bolt holding the fuel can. No need to do anything to the Adblue.
I lowered the tank and with your head by the rear N/S wheel you can seen the pump. I gave it a bit of a clean with some baby wipes. It’s awkward but cut the nipple off with a sharp Stanley. Attach your fuel line to the adapter you bought and slide the adapter down onto the nipple until it clicks.
Run the fuel line towards the front of the tank and clip it into the connectors the original fuel line goes into. Feed it awkwardly over the able tank and hand a right towards the diesel heater location.
You will need to remove the under panel that is immediately behind the front O/S wheel which is where the heater goes.
You’ll need to fit the 2 provided riv nuts, then the stainless bracket and heater.
Air in: I drilled through the drivers step and ran a hose from the heater to this. This will give me recirculated hot air.
Air out: I drilled a hole under the drivers seat which was a tight fit with the leisure battery. Again connect the hose.
Combustion air in: this is simply a hose that heads to the front of the vehicle and has an air filter on it.
Exhaust out: I ran this in the next under panel and then did a sharp right through a hole I drilled in the under panel.
There’s 2 other holes which are either side of the ones used for the bracket. I put 6mm rib nuts in these too. The front hole is used to secure the combustion air intake. The rear hole is used to secure the exhaust silencer.
There’s a hole above the heater that is used to hold a factory pipe. I unclipped this and put a riv nut here as well. Next to that hole is another smaller hole that I drilled out and put another riv nut in. I used this to mount the fuel pump on and also to secure a 5mm piece of ABS. At the other end of that ABS, I fitted the fuel filter.
The wiring is very simple. I used the existing rubber grommet under the seat and fed the wires through this.
Underneath: One connector goes onto the heater, and one connector goes onto the pump.
Above: one connector goes to the controller. There is also a +ve and -ve wire.
I’ve heard of issues first starting the heaters. I sucked on the after the filter and before the pump so that the filter filled up. Aim to stop sucking before you get a mouthful!
Put the trim back on and you’re done.
I did all this with the van on a couple of blocks of timber, but would love to have done it up on a ramp!
I did a fair amount of research on non main line diesel heaters. I settled on the Lavaner Pro. On an independent review site, they spoke about the pros and cons of all. It was at the higher end of the Chinese Diesel heaters, but fitted my requirements. It was £211 delivered on Ali Express, presumably from a U.K. depot, since it was with me in 3 days.
LAVANER Pro Water-Resistant Diesel 12V 2KW Air Parking Heater LCD Remote Monitor Controller for Trucks RV's Campers and Trailers - AliExpress 34
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
a.aliexpress.com
It comes with a couple of different mounting options, but I ordered this which has worked well. £10.15 delivered.
Diesel Heater Bracket Mount For Eberspacher Airtronic Heater Webasto Chinese Stainless Steel For VW T5/T6 Car Accessories - AliExpress 34
Smarter Shopping, Better Living! Aliexpress.com
a.aliexpress.com
As far as fitting, I went the usual external route. The bracket fit well and the heater mounted up well.
I did purchase a Riv Nut tool which is needed.
EBay item number: 385544534293 £28. I did have a link, but the forum removed it.
I’ve got a 72 T6.1 and the fuel pump had a white nipple on it that when removed, and adapter can slide straight onto it. There’s no need to take the pump out.
Here’s the adapter: EF789ID4
The Bay item: 164492914906. I did have a link, but it seems the forum removed it.
I placed a motorcycle lift under the fuel tank (trolley jack would do) and took the weight of the empty fuel tank. I loosened the two strap bolts at the front of the tank, and removed the center and rear strap bolts.
Also open the fuel cap and remove the 3 torks bolts holding on the rubber housing. This will lift out and bring with it a drain hose. Remove the 1 bolt holding the fuel can. No need to do anything to the Adblue.
I lowered the tank and with your head by the rear N/S wheel you can seen the pump. I gave it a bit of a clean with some baby wipes. It’s awkward but cut the nipple off with a sharp Stanley. Attach your fuel line to the adapter you bought and slide the adapter down onto the nipple until it clicks.
Run the fuel line towards the front of the tank and clip it into the connectors the original fuel line goes into. Feed it awkwardly over the able tank and hand a right towards the diesel heater location.
You will need to remove the under panel that is immediately behind the front O/S wheel which is where the heater goes.
You’ll need to fit the 2 provided riv nuts, then the stainless bracket and heater.
Air in: I drilled through the drivers step and ran a hose from the heater to this. This will give me recirculated hot air.
Air out: I drilled a hole under the drivers seat which was a tight fit with the leisure battery. Again connect the hose.
Combustion air in: this is simply a hose that heads to the front of the vehicle and has an air filter on it.
Exhaust out: I ran this in the next under panel and then did a sharp right through a hole I drilled in the under panel.
There’s 2 other holes which are either side of the ones used for the bracket. I put 6mm rib nuts in these too. The front hole is used to secure the combustion air intake. The rear hole is used to secure the exhaust silencer.
There’s a hole above the heater that is used to hold a factory pipe. I unclipped this and put a riv nut here as well. Next to that hole is another smaller hole that I drilled out and put another riv nut in. I used this to mount the fuel pump on and also to secure a 5mm piece of ABS. At the other end of that ABS, I fitted the fuel filter.
The wiring is very simple. I used the existing rubber grommet under the seat and fed the wires through this.
Underneath: One connector goes onto the heater, and one connector goes onto the pump.
Above: one connector goes to the controller. There is also a +ve and -ve wire.
I’ve heard of issues first starting the heaters. I sucked on the after the filter and before the pump so that the filter filled up. Aim to stop sucking before you get a mouthful!
Put the trim back on and you’re done.
I did all this with the van on a couple of blocks of timber, but would love to have done it up on a ramp!
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