Heater box questions

Yep there are also the 2 different types of TX valves installed during VS production exactly as you suggest. There was one type during early VS and the other in later VS.

 

VP has a different height where it meets the dash. Vent ducts fitted different too. If a VN/VP had a VR or VS dash conversion, vents wouldn’t work, especially the demister vent. They don’t line up.

In my VP ute, I cut the centre console bin off. Then I made a much bigger box that screwed to the floor in the same two spots. Put some trim fabric on it. The console then screwed into it around the edge you see when lifting the lid. The console was far more solid and double the internal volume. I fitted power outlets in there, iPod connector too (early 2000’s, actually late 90’s now I think about it).

I also fitted a panel behind the seat. The angle of the panel behind the seat exactly meets the bottom edge of the window if you extend up.
I insulated the air space created behind and installed 6x9’s in there.
(Yes, I know no one really uses 6x9’s these days, but this was years ago)

Bolted it with 4 bolts through that metal. I’d just use nutserts these days for that.

When I retrimmed the roof, I insulated the panel and when you tapped the roof, it sounded like a dull thud, rather than that hollow tinny sound. Also took ages to heat up inside in summer, so you’d come back to the car and it was bearable to get into.

Added that last bit of off topic info because I know you are fixing up your ute.

 

Most of the info relating to this was on Street Commodores forum, which was killed by bean counters.

Most of my mods and build pics were hosted on there.

 

Maybe Trev can google for you?

 

That's because hardly anyone ever pulls these horrible things out and either just lives with whatever problem there is or gets rid of the vehicle. I've only ever pulled one heater box out and that was from the 45,000km wreck I had and after that I said to myself never ever again.

 

"That's because hardly anyone ever pulls these horrible things out and either just lives with whatever problem there is or gets rid of the vehicle. I've only ever pulled one heater box out and that was from the 45,000km wreck I had and after that I said to myself never ever again."

I've been there and agree it's a cow of a job. That's why I take every opportunity to point out that if an early commie owner has a gas leak that can't be traced it will likely be at the top of the firewall where the evaporator pipes join the enginebay pipes. The lost gas and (highly toxic) oil is hidden in the noise deadening padding inside the firewall. Replacing the O rings at that join is done from outside the car by lifting the plenum cover and is NOT a dash out job. Not to say that getting all the leaves and other accumulated crap out of the heater box etc isn't a good thing but it's such a job.....