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Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

1990 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Bonatti Grey

Heater box refurbishment kit!

Hi all I know I haven’t posted much on here and I only venture on here if I have a problem with my 90.

So something occurred to me the other day that up until the puma defender all defenders use the same heater blower box which is a non serviceable part. A smidge annoying but at £500+ for a new unit it is expensive. So it struck me as to why people don’t just refurb their own more. I mean taking apart a riveted together box is easy enough and drilling out a couple of spot welds which can be filled/patched up after isn’t that hard.
The area I feel people can unstuck are the bloody flap arms connected to the cables. They are held in place by a purpose made pressed part that breaks when you take it off!!

This got me thinking and more importantly designing! I have come up with an idea that allows you to replace the arm and take it on and off any time you want to crack your blower box open. The design also keeps the strain point on the same axis. I thought for longevity 316 Stainless was the material to choose for the piece, including nuts bolts and washers. I am looking at having 50 sets produced and laser cut and folded but just wanted to know when I had this done if anyone was interested in a pair?

I have attached a couple images of the prototype versions for your guys reference. Also any feedback is welcome just pm me or reply to this thread 😊

Click image to enlarge

12th Oct 2023 8:51am

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

Just to add to this I was also looking into producing pre-cut foam sheets for the heater flaps themselves and even potentially some reflective foil for the inside of the box on the other side of the matrix to make it that little bit more efficient.

12th Oct 2023 11:01am

Shroppy

Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

1986 Defender 130 V8 Petrol HCPU Aintree Green

I'd certainly be interested in a pair, any idea on price? One of the projects on my list to try and graft an AC matrix into a heater box at some point... 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"

12th Oct 2023 11:05am

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

I haven’t got a price yet for them as I need to crunch a few figures first and make sure there are people wanting them. Obviously the more popular they are the cheaper it’ll be so I can order more quantities. I think at this stage for the arms (they are two sizes) nuts, bolts and Washers I think it’d be around the £15 mark plus postage. It may seem quite dear but it does mean you can get in your heater box in future and also adjust it, plus it’s the cost of material I could see about producing them in mild steel but would rot and aluminium wouldn’t be strong enough for the task.

I will hopefully at some point be putting a build/refurb instruction together, but I know most defender owners it’ll be telling you how to suck eggs 😊

12th Oct 2023 11:11am

Mo Murphy

Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2227

1984 Defender 90 BMW M57 3.0 Diesel HT Auto Pennine Grey

They look good, I'd certainly be interested.
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.

50 Shades of Pennine Grey

12th Oct 2023 3:41pm

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

If I can get around 20 people in on this I’ll have them produced. And for the first 20 I’d do it at a discounted rate. I think it’s coming out at around £15 ish at the moment but would do first 20 at lucky £13+ p&p.

If people are interested just pm me or register interest here. Turn around time from order will be around 2-3weeks.

12th Oct 2023 3:51pm

Zed

Member Since: 07 Oct 2017
Location: In the woods
Posts: 3274

2010 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 XS CSW Santorini Black

Great idea, I’m in. WARNING.
This post may contain sarcasm.

12th Oct 2023 4:11pm

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

Well so far it’s 3 people with one set each.

All I’d say is tell one and all and if you need more than one set because you have a fleet put your name in the hat. If these prove popular and people like them I’d order more but if there are only a few people it may only be a one time thing. Also went back to the laser cutters and I would only have to have 15 people at £13 to make up the order. So literally only needing 10 more people interested 😊

12th Oct 2023 5:44pm

Screbble

Member Since: 26 Apr 2015
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 2098

2004 Defender 90 Td5 XS CSW Zambezi Silver

Count me in

12th Oct 2023 8:33pm

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

Good man, just 11 more people and I’ll stick the order on.

12th Oct 2023 8:36pm

1NRO

Member Since: 22 Feb 2015
Location: cumbria
Posts: 72

I’ll go with a set please.

12th Oct 2023 8:58pm

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

10 more for the win on the cheaper price and for me to order up. 😊

12th Oct 2023 9:05pm

derbywill

Member Since: 25 Mar 2010
Location: Derbyshire
Posts: 556

I’d be up for a couple of sets.

Cheers

Will 2005 90 XS
1954 86'' Series 1 tilt
1968 88” 2A 200tdi
2002 110 Hardtop

12th Oct 2023 9:35pm

Blue Blood

Member Since: 14 Jun 2022
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 119

Sure thing. Right 8 more sets need to be allocated then I’ll pop an order on y’all.

12th Oct 2023 9:49pm

Shroppy

Member Since: 25 Feb 2016
Location: Shropshire
Posts: 866

Might be worth popping this in a for sale thread at this point? 1985 127 V8 Build Thread
Series 2 109"
Series 1 80"

13th Oct 2023 8:04am

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