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The Harrison Radiator Div of general Motors pruduced a Hot Water Heater Kit as part of the overall Winterization Kit for Closed and Open Cab CCKWs. They were introduced in early 1944. The kit was normally installed in trucks installed in cold climates and is designed to be used in CCKWs equipped with the battery heater kit. Included with the kit are the misc hoses, switches, wires and fittings to install the kit in a stock CCKW. The kit is similar to but not the same as the Harrison Kit used in CJ-2A and CJ-3A Jeeps. The housings and core plumbing are quite different due to the configuration of the firewall of the CCKW and Jeep firewalls. These kits are now 55-65 years old, they are nice and a good find. Only thing to consider is the type of storage they have been subject to, some of the motors may suffer irrepairable corrosion from damp storage, the kits that I have seen that were stored dry have no problems. They make a fine addition to the CCKW cab, especially the Closed cab. They will keep a Closed Cab warm and toasty for those cold parades. The Open Cab is another story, the difference is negligable. There are no provisions for defroster with these kits, the electric defrosters were installed for this purpose. Some state MV regs may prohibit use of the electric defroster kits, they look fine on display.

These kits were available for issue during the time the CCKW was standard issue to the US army. The WWII versions were in wood crates, some of the 50s dated kits were enclosed in hermetically sealed boxes that reduce the risk of long term storage.
Those with experience with CCKWs in the 40s-50s will remember that the kits mostly appeared on the USAF Airfield Tankers, very few were witnessed on other types of CCKWs.
I have installed one on my Closed Cab CCKW, it works great. Installation is simple, a few precise holes are required and the instructions are easy to follow.
Buy two if you can in order to have spare parts for the future.

The heaters of this type that I have seen on USAF Tankers appear to have been installed Post WWII and after the trucks were painted Airfield Yellow or Strata Blue, as the heaters were OD color. Strata Blue appeared around 1950.

Nice snag on the NOS heater kit from Missouri, that you bought on ebay! Let me know if you need me to go pick it up for you!

What is Ranger going to do with his new (expensive) NOS eBay water heater...?

I can guarantee you that he won't loose money on it, unless he decides to. He is always picking up "trade goods", and a NOS heater kit is a very desirable piece. Maybe he'll give it to one of his friends who are still working on their restoration (PFarber??)

One cannot have too many NOS CCKW Heater Kits, they are good property. Have not tried to see how they fit the G-506, there may be a challenge due to the G-506 having hardware on the firewall that does not exist on the G-508. The kits are made for te G-508.

What is strange is that GMC did not issue their 1940's toggle type Delco 3-Speed Heater Switch, but a universal Rotary type switch with an OD color knob. I opted for a NOS DELCO period type switch, it looks and fits better and none of you would notice the difference if I hadn't told you. The NOS original DELCO switches command up to $75.00 each on the antique auto circuit.
The switch experts will now have something to bitch about, but it is my truck, and I have saved the switch that came with my kit, they are a pain as they do not stay tight where they clamp to the dash, the NOS have a stud and the Closed Cabs just happen to have holes under the dash in the correct location.

It is a good idea to install shut off valves at the Heater hose inlet and outlet on the waterpump, if not, it gets a bit too warm on the feet in warm weather.

They are all the same colour- Lustreles Olive Drab. And are 6 Volt when issued.

I have 12 Volt Motors to convert these NOS kits to give trouble free operration in CCKWs converted to 12 Volts.

The Hot Water Heater for the CCKW provides quck heat due to the rapid warm up characteristic of the CCKW engine. Doors are a must when installed on the Open Cab CCKWs.

Dr Deuce wrote:What is Ranger going to do with his new (expensive) NOS eBay water heater...?

By "expensive", what do you base your remark on?
Are there any NOS CCKW Hot Water Heater kits available for less? There must be or you would not have commented that it was expensive. Show me some NOS, NIB originals that are less expensive.

so, do this kit appear with a ord 9 snl G249 volume number?

curious minds want to know?
BB

Hot Water Kit does have a Ord Number, It is on the box, I will get it later. I believe the G-249 only shows the Gasoline burning kit that is part of the winterization kit. I have not noticed the Hot Water Kit listed in any ORD 9. I have both versions NOS on my shelf. The Fuel burning kit is post WWII, comes with a primer, winter front etc., and mounts on drivers' fender.