Mine is a 2016 with factory heater. It's under the seat and I've done some modifications to it. I've made higher legs to raise the heater up so that the blower motor sits almost up to the bottom of the seat. I've done this so that there's less chance of water getting into the heater and air lines. I've thought of moving it into the cab but I like the room in the cab. As for vents I've changed them as well. I left the ones behind your legs were they are. The two that were in the center front lower dash area have been completly blocked off. I did this because I really don't think there needed. This way I was able to get one air line for each defroster, rather then two defrosters using the same air line.,by way of a Y in the line. I get more air to each defroster. I did do a change on the defroster as well by adding in one closer to the right side of the speedo. I still kept the one that blows on the left side of the speedo by adding the Y and feeding both the ones on each side of the speedo. The other thing I did was instead of using the vents that came with the heater for the defroster I added in abs pipe and installed a long 90 degree elbow for each defroster. The defroster keeps the windshield basically frost free. One other main thing is the cab has many air leaks so you do have to spend quite a bit of time sealing up all the air leaks. There is a guy on here goes by [ Montanna ] that makes and sells covers for the shifters etc: . I did make my own . I'll try and take a picture of my vents and dash and post the pic.
This is great information. Your honda looks awesome in the picture. I've always wanted to get tracks for a sxs but here in Nebraska the snow is to hit and miss to justify them. I would appreciate pictures of your vents.
How feasible do you think it would be to mount the factory heater somewhere in the dash? Or under the hood?
Does the air leak through the doors, roof, or windows? Or is it through the steering column and shift plates?
I'm replacing a 2016 900xp with soft doors, windshield with wiper, and back plastic windshield. The first calving season I had it, it was a dream. The doors, windows, and roof never leaked air. If you were going into a north wind under 20°F you could really feel it pouring through the steering column, front floor, and shifter. They aren't as air tight as some people claim.
I'd have never considered getting rid of that machine if it wasn't for breakdowns. I used it for work and it wasn't necessarily easy, but it didn't handle it well. I broke the frame in two places, had to replace the transmission, broken belts, more wheel bearings and brakes than can be counted. Add in a couple steering gears and new front differential and I've decided it's time to try something new. Oh ya, forgot at least three new drive shafts.
Bottom line is I've been told the pioneer cab is not nearly as nice as a ranger. I'm excited to try it out and get some details on how you've improved the stock heater, where the air leaks are, and how you sealed them.
