Did the VW Thing come stock with the gas heater?
 

I'm sure that one of you guys knows if it did or not.. Have a friend who just picked a 73' Thing, it has the heater. He wants to get the thing working but isnt too mechanically inclined. Any sources for parts diagrams, instructions, etc?

Yes, at least everyone I have seen! Iwas into VW's the last 20+ yrs befroe getting into these great cars!

heres a decent discussion

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=66846&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=0&sid=b33f9e182049a50293d266065c96f455

Re: Did the VW Thing come stock with the gas heater?
 

Be careful out there.

Two friends with Westfalias lost them because of the gas heater fires. It's worth removing it from the vehicle and working on it on a test stand, then running & testing it a lot before reinstalling.

They work great, but after 33 years it could be one hell of a flamethrower.

Singer Rick Nelson was killed when a gasoline cabin heater caught fire on his DC-3. Many light aircraft also were built with these, and they've killed so many people that most people who own planes equipped with them don't use them anymore. It's a lot safer to fly with a good leather jacket and gloves-

It would be fun to look at one just to see how it works.