[Sportscraft]

I know its been asked many times many places but I thought maybe these trucks have been out long enough now someone has tried it. Can the rapid heat be added after the fact, and can you reprogram the computer to recognize it and activate it? Ford cant give me an answer on when they will start building 2012's with navigation, but have found a 2011 with just about everything (including ud black!) but no rapid heat, and from reading forums it's quite a wait for warm heat without it.

 

[TXF-250]

subscribed...id like to know if this can be done as well...

 

[buletbob]

I know its been asked many times many places but I thought maybe these trucks have been out long enough now someone has tried it. Can the rapid heat be added after the fact, and can you reprogram the computer to recognize it and activate it? Ford cant give me an answer on when they will start building 2012's with navigation, but have found a 2011 with just about everything (including ud black!) but no rapid heat, and from reading forums it's quite a wait for warm heat without it.

Do you have the dual alternators, this would be needed for the rapid heat . And i'm sure there must be a wiring harness added for the other alternator. just something to think about. :read: Bob

 

[thejean]

I've spent some time looking into it and ended up at the conclusion that a diesel heater such as an Espar or a Webasto is a better way to go. Basically at -40C you can have the truck warmed up and windows cleared before you get in, without even starting the truck. The best part is that it also warms up your coolant (and oil to a degree) so there is less cold start wear and tear on the engine. It has a programmable timer, uses less fuel than idling and is about 1/3 to 1/2 the cost of installing rapid heat after the fact. It avoids the need to plug in the block heater and avoids the risk of forgetting to unplug before you drive away. That also means you don't need to be near a power source to get your truck started/warmed up in cold weather. Apparently a lot of guys up here in the oil patch use them and love them. I don't have mine yet but plan to put it in over the summer.

 

[Zixxer]

Dual alternators are not required. I have rapid heat and a single alternator (heavy duty).

I personally don't think the rapid heat does a lot. I know someone charted it on here and there's a way to ensure all the settings are just right but I'm guessing that Espar or Webasto is the way to go.

Rapid heat is misleading. I assumed heat would come out of my ducts when I turned the truck on with some big electric heating element firing away...if I lived in a northern climate I would surely look to a better solution. Just my opinion. Now the A/C and cooled seats...no issues

 

[thejean]

Been reading the Espar installation manual and it states that if you use a thermostat, it will circulate all of the heat to the cab until the thermostat opens. So basically, you can get a very fast heating of the cab and only then will it start to heat the coolant. This is a good feature if you need to go somewhere quick unexpectedly and didn't have a chance to fire up the heater well in advance. It also continues to do this while you drive and automatically shuts down when the coolant reaches (and maintains) operating temperature. Sounds like the cat's a$$ to me.

 

[doczenith1]

I personally don't think the rapid heat does a lot. I know someone charted it on here and there's a way to ensure all the settings are just right but I'm guessing that Espar or Webasto is the way to go.

That was me. Link in my sig. I have to disagree. My experience was that the supplemental heater worked well.

 

[Sportscraft]

Similarly I wonder about the back glass defrost. Is the wiring already there behind the back seat? I believe it is just powered off the same switch as the heated mirrors.

 

[Canadian Mind]

I've spent some time looking into it and ended up at the conclusion that a diesel heater such as an Espar or a Webasto is a better way to go.

I've never seen it in a civilian vehicle, but the vehicles we have at work have a diesel-fired coolant heating system. Amazing pieces of kit. Similar to what you're talking about?

 

[JFScheck]

Grab the 2011 and if needed purchase a block heater!

 

[IDigMyWork]

Could these heaters by installed on 6.2 gas engines as well?
Ordered 2012 f-350 6.2 and the one option I wanted was the rapid heat!
Only comes with the dieselssssss

 

[thejean]

Well F-me!! Was about to pull the trigger on an Espar and then decided to check with the dealer to make sure there would be no issues... Well,cv guess what? Turns out the temp difference between the coolant and oil might cause the truck to go into shut down mode. Obviously the block heater doesn't cause enough of a delta to cause this. Wish a Ford engineer would chime in on this. Don't want to spend $2000 on a heater that renders my truck useless!

 

[thejean]

Ok, I am going to the dealer today to get a final word on the cost of parts for this PTC supp heater install. I figure a 110V 900W heater plugged in with the block heater will get the truck warm before starting. With the supp heater to keep the truck warm after driving away, it sure would make a sweet setup.

 

[ALASKA96]

I drove a 2011 6.7 service truck all last winter with a webasto kit on it and never had any trouble with the engine shutting down. works great.

 

[Sportscraft]

Thanks for all the responses. I just stuck with my original plan and ordered a truck exact and now it should be here next week. By the time I tried to make each stock truck "work" it was too complicated.

 

[thejean]

I am now considering options to trade my truck in for a USED one with the PTC supp heater. Just sucks to have to swap wheels, tonneau cover, DVD headrests and leveling kit if I do this. Not to mention the potential loss on my truck. Why every truck sold in Canada does come with standard is beyond me!

 

[thejean]

So I am back and now thinking about this again because my HVAC crapped out and I have to replace the plenum anyway. So thinking of adding the PTC heater while I am in there. Anybody gone ahead and done the swap yet? Even if I could get access to the parts fiche I could figure it out myself.

 

[HeavyAssault]

In for the updates...

 

[thejean]

I've actually looked through the parts diagrams and it looks like the two systems are all the same. All I need to do is buy the heater itself and the wiring harness. I already have the dual batteries and extra heavy duty alternator so it should be relatively straightforward, aside from ripping the dash completely out of course.

 

[HeavyAssault]

LOL>...Wish I could lend a hand but hey someone has to cheer you on.