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2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Replacing heater core.

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Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Help - no gears at all

2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission What cycles the A/C compressor?

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My heater core blew out on me about 2 weeks ago or so, now I'm needing to know is there a simple way to replace it or is the only option to remove the entire dash from the truck to access it... I really don't want to take the dash out if not necessary as the top is already starting to crack as well as I really can't afford the down time. any and all help is appreciated.

Kevin
 
I dont think you can do it without going all the way, the heater core is in the HVAC box, so you have to be able to pull the HVAC box off the firewall. . which requires at very least swinging dash out for working room. If you cant have the down time you could just bypass the heater core until you can make the time. .
 
I've read earlier on the TDR people have liked the Napa Heater Core replacement. It has swivel mounts. Try search for Napa.
 
Issue 46, page 12 gives text and pictures on how to do it without totally removing the dash or disconnecting the A/C plumbing. You do have to remove a couple nuts under the hood to be able to pull the HVAC back an inch or so. Or you could do what I did and follow those instructions plus pull the dash away from the windshield and replace the dash cover at the same time. https://www.turbodieselregister.com...discussions/182820-2nd-gen-dash-cracks-6.html Post #85 has a picture. You can see the top of the heater core (it has two pipes coming out that have 90 degree bends). If you don't have access to issue 46 you might e-mail Robin to get it put in the archives.
 
The article was also reprinted in a shorter form in the last issue or the one before. I think it was the winter issue.
It is a pretty un-fun job... not incredible, but takes a lot of time... the worst part for me was getting the dash to pop back into place, had to shimmy it around a little.
I did use all NAPA parts, and have no complaints, and the little swivel ends on the core do come in a little handy.
 
Anybody got a link to a good R&R procedure on the net?

I've got a '99 and trying to replace the heater core, AC evaporator and accumulator. So far, the stuff I've found on the net doesn't work for me. I'm in Colorado Springs, Colorado; my shop manual and all the TDR magazines are in Memphis. HELP!

I hope this isn't a thread hi-jack; same question, different year model.
 
UNDER THE HOOD
1. Disconnect Batteries 2. Remove Air Cleaner Assembly 3. Unbolt Dryer from firewall, but do not disconnect any A/C lines 4. Remove Computer from firewall 5. Remove bolts from Computer Bracket (the 2 on the right side of the bracket are heater box studs that hold the heater box on the firewall 6. Disconnect Htr Hoses at engine block and use compressed air to drain Htr Core (hoses can be left attached to Htr Core, they will fit through firewall) 7. Remove two (2) 11mm nuts from Htr Box studs (one behind the engine valve cover and one behind the Computer bracket)

NOTE: so far you've removed 4 nuts holding the heater box on the firewall ( 1 above the dryer, 1 at the bottom of the dryer, 1 behind the computer, and 1 behind the valve cover)

DASH REMOVAL
1. Remove the Glove Box and Disconnect two (2) electrical connections on the Htr Box and the Radio Antenna 2. Remove the plastic cover below the center of the dash and bracket behind it holding some electrical thing (sorry don't know what this is) 4. Remove six (5) 5/16" (actually I think these were 8 or 10mm, I think I only used 8,10,11,13 and maybe a 15 / 17mm sockets and wrenches for this job) screws from across the top of the Dash 5. Remove the Panel under the Steering Column 6
if you have an AUTO trans and a gear posn indicator disconnect the small cable or it WILL get broken 7. I didn't disconnect the Vacuum Line for the Htr Box above the Throttle Pedal 8. Remove two (2) nuts on studs that holds the Steering Column and set the Steering Column in the drivers seat 9. Remove the driver and passenger side Kick Panels 10. Loosen the bolts behind the Kick Panels for the Dash (hold on to Dash, it is loose now) and roll it towards the seats 11. Lift the passenger side of the Dash off of the lower bolt and set it back against the seat (this will make room to work on the Htr Box)

HTR BOX REMOVAL
1. Remove the ground strap above the Htr Box from the FIREWALL 2. Remove the 10mm nut near the passenger A-Pillar from the stud holding the Htr Box (I had trouble finding this one - it's in the top right corner of the heater box) 3. Remove the 10mm nut above the Htr Box where the ground strap came off 4. On mine, there was a second nut behind the ground strap holding the box to the firewall. I didn't see it and wasted a lot of time. 4. Pull the heater box in away from the firewall It will only pull away a few inches because the A/C lines / dryer are still attached, but it's enough. 5. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the 2 remaining bracket holding the tubes in place 6. . At this point I used a hacksaw to cut off the 2 tubes to get them through the firewall. 7) Heater core just pulls up out of the box.

RE-ASSEMBLY
1) Install the new heater core by placing the bottom left corner into the box (core is cocked toward driver side and moveable tubes near the hole where they go through the firewall. 2) Gently and slowly rotate the core clockwise keeping the tubes near the hole in the firewall. The core should drop down into the box.

Perform everything else in reverse order. Ensure Htr Box functions properly prior to re-installation. Take care not to kink Vac line on Htr Box when it goes back through firewall. Also, on mine, the stud at the bottom of the dryer fell off of the box. It was a pain to get it back into place. I had another set of hands to help me get the box back in place. That would be have been pretty tough to do alone. Like Busboy said in the other thread, "TAKE YOUR TIME" and don't force anything. GOOD LUCK!

I got this off another forum hope this helps.

Floyd
 
If you take the seats out before taking the dash out there is a LOT more room to work.

I was going to pull the passenger seat out last night. But the dang thing is bolted down with METRIC fastners! :(

Another reason to just wait until I get back home, where all the tools are.
 
The way it's made you have to take the center console out first so you might as well take the driver seat out at the same time. If the driver seat is out the steering wheel will let down a little more.
 
Yep, and while I'm at it, I can fix or replace the motor that don't work in the power seat.

Then I may as well take out the back seat and replace the carpet (that has been soaked a few times) and the pad and all the weather stripping (probable cause of the wet carpet).

Heck, before I'm done, I might as well go ahead and repaint the truck too.
 
Yep, and while I'm at it, I can fix or replace the motor that don't work in the power seat.



Then I may as well take out the back seat and replace the carpet (that has been soaked a few times) and the pad and all the weather stripping (probable cause of the wet carpet).



Heck, before I'm done, I might as well go ahead and repaint the truck too.



Damn thats funny:-laf:-laf

Thats exactly how mine started out on my 98 last year, had to do the A/C evap. and did the heater core at the same time because of what was involved to get at it. Next thing I have power seats, gauges, consoles, short shift kit and carpet repairs... Yes, I actually thought about a paint job until my wife gave me a sharp dose of attitude#@$%!
 
well after 2 days and a profound amount of profanity and some broken parts later, i have heat in my truck again. I managed to break the studs that go through the firewall behind the engine block and above the ac bottle off, broke the plastic on the pass side seat side, and the mounting tab for the heater box that has the ground strap on it... I'm praying that none of the breakage causes me a problem, i saved the parts and put the studs through the holes and tightened em up, the other i just put the nuts on and groundstrap on, looks like it should all be ok, just annoying that it all broke, I'm tired of plastic... someday i'll probably find a new heater box to put in and a lot of dash plastic but until then i pray it holds up for me.

Kevin
 
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