I'm looking at trading my miata for a 1963 VW beetle with a baja kit. The owner removed the heater boxes and installed "j-pipes". How difficult and how much money will it take to put heaterboxes back on? I neeeeed heat for the winter here.

 

j-pipes eliminate the heater boxes. i know you know that . new they can cost about 300. 00 for the pair then you willl need hoses ducting depending on what is missing. jc whitney shows a booster system that hooks up to give more airflow volume. and they also make space heaters that run off accessory outlets. otherwise bring a blanket and an ice scraper for the interior windows .rotflmao. good luck.

 

Oh space heater, I didn't think about that, yeah that'll work and couldn't be easier! thanks for the advice!

 

just find some old heaterboxes. take the engine out(real easy, only 4 easy bolts) and swap it, then put it back in and your done, decent working used heaterboxes... $50-150

 

Just be careful using a space heater, as the old beetle wiring may not handle the amperage of the heater.

If its a baja you could probably swap the j-tubes out for heaterboxes with the motor in the car.

 

the heater boxes are no probem, 150 or so used, hoses between the boxes and the heater duct inlets are around 50 or so.... now you need the cables and linkage TO the heater boxes. Most used boxes come with it, but some don't. make sure you have the ***** or levers (depending on vintage) to control the the cables installed as well. They stick out of the sides of the pan forks in case you not familiar with them. If its a baja with alot of material missing around the engine, you'll be able to do it in the car no problem. I used to change mine all the time between winter and summer...