2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission NE GA Mechanic

[sstefanini]

Well, I bought a new to me '96 2500 a few weeks ago on a sunny 80 degree GA day and failed to run the heat long enough to smell the leaking heater core.

I've been looking at the repair procedure since I found the problem and can't decide if I want to tackle it or not. I do know I won't pay the $1100 the dealers want.

Can anyone recommend a good independant shop in the Gainesville/Braselton GA area willing to take on the heater core/evap.

The dealers will only install the Mopar replacements and I'm not convinced of their quality vs expense.

 

[Tinman]

I don't know of a place to get it done, but I did mine myself. It isn't hard but it is tedious and aggravating. You don't have to take the whole front console off (at least on an 01 not sure about 96 but I assume they are similar). It can be tilted forward and laid in the seat. Plan on a new dash and get MOPAR. The old dash is probably rotten from UV exposure and it'll just break apart when you try to remove it. Plan on at least one full day it not more. Paying someone to do it just isn't gonna be cheap.

 

[sstefanini]

I guess I'll have to work up to doing it myself, and fortunately I've got plenty of time seeing as how summer is here and I've got the core bypassed. The dash is already cracked and I was planning on replacing it anyway. It's not so much the time or effort involved but the question of how many other 16 year old brittle plastic pieces I can break in the process/how many more dash rattles I'll have afterward.

 

[SFPADGETT]

You can contact Jeff Garmon at Garmons Diesel Performance, however he is Griffin, GA. Garmons Diesel Performance, Inc. - Speed, Power, Reliability... .