Came across easy to make defroster for our trucks.

[Nickathome]

I was checking out the "for sale" trucks on John Bizal's site and came across his plowtruck that is for sale. Two of the photos include a couple nice shots of a real easy to make defroster pipe for the windshield. This is something that I am definitiely going to make. Its constructed out of PVC and looks like its held in place with zip ties. This might not be the best solution to the defrost issue but if you're like me and don't see the need to spend money on, or just dislike the look of that bulky, boxy looking military type defroster, then this is the perfect ticket. Plus, it can easily be removed for warm weather driving when its not required. Hope John doesn't mind me posting the photos.


http://midwestmil.com/plowtrksale.html

[Juan]

it's less bulky than the original

[MSeriesRebuild]

I did one almost identical to that years ago on 1 of my trucks. It didn't work well for me, the pipe ID was too small to carry the needed volume of air. Just didn't defrost the windows well at all. I think maybe mine would have done better if I had a separate feed hose for each windshield.

[powerwagontim]

Hi Charles,
Do you recall what size pipe you used? I was thinking of doing the same thing, using some 1 1/2" or 2" copper pipe I have kicking around. The 2nd hose seems like a must-do.
Thanks,
Tim

[Nickathome]

Use a progressively smaller pipe on the driver's side. Maybe that will speed up the air enough to force it out at a quicker speed, like the priniciple behind a garden hose nozzle.....Or block off one of the outlet holes down at the air distributor box. That's what I will do if I don't get the action from it that I expect. Since the distributor box has three openings, I can use the small recangular one for floor heat, then use the one opening for defrost.

[MSeriesRebuild]

Hi Charles,
Do you recall what size pipe you used? I was thinking of doing the same thing, using some 1 1/2" or 2" copper pipe I have kicking around. The 2nd hose seems like a must-do.
Thanks,
Tim

I think mine was 2" pipe.

[Nickathome]

Charles;

What kind of holes did you put in the pvc to let the air out? I was thinking of either drilling a series of small holes, or maybe cutting thin slits in the tops of the tubes to let the air out. Maybe the holes you made were too big, which would inturn let more air out, but more slowly. I think small slits or a line of small holes would cause a venturi effect and speed the air up as it exits the pipe which might cause the air to do a better job of defrosting. At least thats what I am telling myself

[MSeriesRebuild]

Charles;

What kind of holes did you put in the pvc to let the air out? I was thinking of either drilling a series of small holes, or maybe cutting thin slits in the tops of the tubes to let the air out. Maybe the holes you made were too big, which would inturn let more air out, but more slowly. I think small slits or a line of small holes would cause a venturi effect and speed the air up as it exits the pipe which might cause the air to do a better job of defrosting. At least thats what I am telling myself

Small round holes as I remember.