heater controls
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Freshman User
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heater controls
Restoring an '81 F150 and heater cable is attached to controls on console w/ plastic fitting that keeps breaking. Has anyone dealt w/ this & come up w/ a solution?
I'm also considering putting more modern controls in & wondered if anyone has experience doing this?
Appreciate any suggestions.
I'm also considering putting more modern controls in & wondered if anyone has experience doing this?
Appreciate any suggestions.
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
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From: Exmore, VA
It isn't just on Ford trucks. If you are talking about the little tab on the casing that snaps in to the controls you can use a zip tie to hold it in. At worst case drill a small hole in the control to pass it through. No one can see it once it's done and it works fine.
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Freshman User
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The control arm is actually attached to the wire cable & the plastic fitting is molded to the cable sleeve & is the mounting bracket bolted to the frame under the dash.
The plastic mounting can't withstand the force of sliding the cable in & out of the sleeve & never lasts long before it breaks.
You are right tho, I just need to modify the cable mounting. Its behind the dash so doesn't need to be pretty...just practical.
Thank you!
The plastic mounting can't withstand the force of sliding the cable in & out of the sleeve & never lasts long before it breaks.
You are right tho, I just need to modify the cable mounting. Its behind the dash so doesn't need to be pretty...just practical.
Thank you!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
It depends on the heater controls.
The heater controls on the 1980-1982's are different to 1983-1984-1985/1986.
It also goes by engine, Factory A/C, Deluxe Dealer A/C, High Output Heater, standard heater, or if the truck has two tanks or not.
On the 1981, is it the plastic control section itself or the little tab on the cable itself that keeps breaking?
If it's the control, you might find one in the wrecking yard. Look in the econoline vans as well. You will have to keep around the same year 1980-1982. Or you might be able to swap complete cable and control assymblies with a 1983-up as one unit.
The heater controls on the 1980-1982's are different to 1983-1984-1985/1986.
It also goes by engine, Factory A/C, Deluxe Dealer A/C, High Output Heater, standard heater, or if the truck has two tanks or not.
On the 1981, is it the plastic control section itself or the little tab on the cable itself that keeps breaking?
If it's the control, you might find one in the wrecking yard. Look in the econoline vans as well. You will have to keep around the same year 1980-1982. Or you might be able to swap complete cable and control assymblies with a 1983-up as one unit.
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Freshman User
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its the tab on the cable itself
I'm looking into the possibility of replacing this older 'sliding switches' unit w/ say a 92-96 ac/heater control unit. Do you think this is doable?
Thanks for the help!
I'm looking into the possibility of replacing this older 'sliding switches' unit w/ say a 92-96 ac/heater control unit. Do you think this is doable?
Thanks for the help!
Old School Hot Rodder
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 6,472
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From: Exmore, VA
Probably not, the 92-95 maybe, 96/7 uses a double cable (pulls both ways). I don't have both in front of me, but some of the major differences are: 80-91 use a lever type blower switch, 92-96/7 is rotary, same for mode, wiring and vacuum connections are different, 80-86 tank selector is in the heater/AC control panel, 87-91 left side of dash under the cluster. 92-96/7 left side of cluster near the headlight switch. Physical size and mounts are different too. You could probably do it, but you would need a bunch of fabrication.
You might have a problem in the other end making the cable(s) hard to move. I would check that out too.
You might have a problem in the other end making the cable(s) hard to move. I would check that out too.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
you can swap things 1980-1986, if you use cables and other bits from the correct year for the panel.
It's not something that you can just swap the one part unless it's special for the 1981.
It's not something that you can just swap the one part unless it's special for the 1981.
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I appreciate everyones feedback
I've acquired alot of tech manual drawings & you guys are right, wayy too many differences to put in newer system.
I'll just stick w/ modifying/improving the system I have.
Thanks all!
I've acquired alot of tech manual drawings & you guys are right, wayy too many differences to put in newer system.
I'll just stick w/ modifying/improving the system I have.
Thanks all!
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I thought that was only if A/C was installed?
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
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From: EXTREME southwest CT
I just went through this in my '87 (non-AC)
Bill is right, just use some zip ties and drill holes if needed.
Lubing the cable (wire) helped a lot by reducing friction inside the sleeve.
I own a motorcycle so I have a little clamp on cable luber that accepts the straw from a can of Cable Life.
Bill is right, just use some zip ties and drill holes if needed.
Lubing the cable (wire) helped a lot by reducing friction inside the sleeve.
I own a motorcycle so I have a little clamp on cable luber that accepts the straw from a can of Cable Life.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
The cables would need to be swapped, on Non A/C as well.
I was thinking of upgrading to a 1983/1986 control on my 1981 because cables are so hard to get ahold of for the 1980-1982. Even so far as to drill the face plate off the control and screw in the 1981 face plate so it looks year correct.
I still might if my temp cable breaks or sticks... again...
I was thinking of upgrading to a 1983/1986 control on my 1981 because cables are so hard to get ahold of for the 1980-1982. Even so far as to drill the face plate off the control and screw in the 1981 face plate so it looks year correct.
I still might if my temp cable breaks or sticks... again...
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 32,875
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From: Northeast, OK
The cables would need to be swapped, on Non A/C as well.
I was thinking of upgrading to a 1983/1986 control on my 1981 because cables are so hard to get ahold of for the 1980-1982. Even so far as to drill the face plate off the control and screw in the 1981 face plate so it looks year correct.
I still might if my temp cable breaks or sticks... again...
I was thinking of upgrading to a 1983/1986 control on my 1981 because cables are so hard to get ahold of for the 1980-1982. Even so far as to drill the face plate off the control and screw in the 1981 face plate so it looks year correct.
I still might if my temp cable breaks or sticks... again...