Rapid-Heat Supplemental Cab Heater

[canuk]

Hi in the midst of buying an 08 F350 it does not have the rapid heater can the dealer install one?
Thanks
Ray

[po-po 5.0]

They can, but its going to cost you. My understanding is that the whole dash has to come out in order to do so.

[geabis]

Originally Posted by canuk

Hi in the midst of buying an 08 F350 it does not have the rapid heater can the dealer install one?
Thanks
Ray

its an electric element so it also requires the hd alternator or the dual alternators.

and to be honest i haven't noticed mine working yet. we got to 28 deg this morning and it took just as long as my old truck to melt the frost on the windows

[2x6 bulldog]

They don't put out much heat at all. It is slightly warm air. I mean slight!

[cj performance]

how do you tell if your truck has rapid heat?

[ol38y]

The salesman at my dealer told me they were not worth the money. I don't remember how much it was but it was pricey. I've always had good luck just pluging in the block heater. Or get heated seats. At least your butt will be warm while you're waiting for the frost to melt...

[Rick James]

Not worth it, just plug it in. It's a gimmick IMHO.

[yukondiesel]

I have it and I like it. Its only warm air, but it is warm and almost instantly.
When its 10f outside, I don't need gloves to drive the truck. Just move the dash vents and turn on the heat with a LOW fan speed and its great. Too high a fan speed overwhelms the small heat element and it just blows cold air. I'm glad to have it, but it came with my truck from dealer invemtory. OBTW: Its great for defrosting too, but not much help with real ice

[geabis]

Originally Posted by Rick James

Not worth it, just plug it in. It's a gimmick IMHO.

i'd plug my old truck in and i would have instant heat. i didnt order this truck and it was already installed so i own it. and IMHO its not worth the extra $$

[jasonmt]

We order all of our trucks with dual alternators anyways so the extra $350 list (CDN) for the Rapid Heat which ends up costing around $280 (CDN) once you are done beating down the dealer is money well spent in my books and climate.

When I have found that it really is noticeable is when I am driving to the office when it is below freezing but I am still wearing shorts and sandals, the trucks we have without the Rapid Heat are noticeably uncomfortable for the first 10 minutes after leaving the heated garage compared to the trucks with it.