Yes, the whole heater box has to come out then there's a cover plate that has to be removed to access the core. There's a good right up on the main page under "fit it tips" that tells you how to up grade your heater for better output. AJC The attached picture shows the location of the 4 studs that come through the firewall that you'll have to remove to get the box out. There's also or should be a drain just below the \heater hoses that also has to be removed.

 

Here's a picture of the heater box removed minus the blower motor.

 

Chris,
Looks like I am going to have to replace the core in my stock heater. So I figured I would just upgrade the whole thing. Went looking for posts on site and found yours.
Was wondering what you ended up doing? Which heater did you go with?
Also, the heater that you got, does it also send air up to defrosting vents?
Your help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Peter
aka "Cold Toes"

 

Peter, i went with the heater craft from jcw.com and so far i like it, it almost puts out to much heat. i got the heater with the duct outlets and i had one go to driver side defrosting vent and the other go to the personal vents that came with the heater. i dont have a passenger defroster cuz i have the CD player in the glovebox and i had to take it out to fit the cdplayer in there. but i was gonna try to send a duct to the passenger side defrost by what my dad said what a "Y" tube connector? but im gonna try to attach some pics of my setup, dont mind the duct tape it was just insurance that the ducts would stay connected to the heater during the install. but the tape is coming off tomoarrow when i try to hide the wiring better.hoped this helped.

-Chris

 

heres one of the heater

 

Please add the heater to the online parts list!!!!

If you don't I'll have to

you

 

brian i sent you PM im not able to add part to the list.

 

Jegs and Summit both have similar items for a little cheaper, Jegs it's part #400-640 (mohave heater) $149.99
Summit has the same. Summitt also offers another one that's a little cheaper SUM-991101, it's only 12000 BTU, but in a Commando that ought to be fine, it's only $129. I've been looking at these things myself, my existing one has been butchered.

 

Chris,
Greatly appreciate the pics. Sure does make things a whole lot easier for us mechanical idiots to understand when I see a pic.
Did you find it easy to electrically hook up, in particular with existing dashboard fan switch?

Regards,
Peter

 

i have many stock heater boxes, for those in need of one. if your heater doesn't work well in you jeepster/commando, thay are all the same, it's becouse there is a rat nest in it. eveery heater box i have ever taken apart was full of the firewall insulation. when they are clean and working properly, it would be hard to find something better.

 

peter, the heater comes with its own switch. it is a easy hook up with eletric wires and everything. i just used the pic in the instruction booklet and figuared it out from there. since i got rid of whole old heater box i cut the wires goin to the dashboard switch.so those switches are just flaping in the breez right now. i have some diomond plate over the old stock radio hole in the dash so i just drilled a hole in the plate and mounted the switch there. but the whole install is pretty easy, i did have to drill the holes biger that are on the brackets and i went and got some bolts to bolt it securly to the firewall. and you will need another hand to mount the sucker. and i did spend a lil more $$ and replaced all the heater hoses. but im happy with the heater and it works.
- Chris