Heater Core

J

justindiiorio

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Dec 14, 2008
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633
My heater core needs replacing in my truck, its leaking anti-freeze inside the cab, I already have the new core. Whats the easiest way to switch them out.

Thanks
 
Nothing easy about it Justin. It takes time and there are several shortcuts to doing it. If you need help I can PM my number to you and kinda walk you through the job. Plan on a few hours for the first time.
 
Its really not that bad of a job, you just have to tear your whole dash apart.
Make sure you remove the link rod from the parking brake release or you'll break the release lever. Its best to get your A/C discharged at a local shop before you start. While you're in there, you might as well replace the evaporator core, it will leak next if not leaking already.
 
Having the A/C discharged is the safe bet, but you do not have to in order to change the heater core. It really comes down to how much of a headache you can deal with and how mechanically-inclined you are.
 
Why do you have to discharge your AC? Did mine with out doing so..

I had minimal tearing apart. Just the screws that hold it up, loosened the two bolts on either side behind the kick panels, dropped the column by removing two nuts and laid the dash forward. Took some manuvering to get the core out and the new one in but all in all it was about a 4 hour job. Not nearly as bad on a newer interior 2nd gen; older interior is a day job.
 
Red Sleeper said:
Why do you have to discharge your AC? Did mine with out doing so..
Click to expand...

I did it that way for a couple reasons:
1: I was changing the evaporator core
2: Seemed like it would be easier to work on the heater box on the tailgate vs. under the dash.
 
I didn't need to touch my ac either, there is enough give in the system not to have to,the new aluminum heater cores with the swivel tube make it easier, the hardest part for me was undoing the inermost tube clamp,
 
Charger said:
I didn't need to touch my ac either, there is enough give in the system not to have to,the new aluminum heater cores with the swivel tube make it easier, the hardest part for me was undoing the inermost tube clamp,
Click to expand...

The swivels do make it easier, but it can be done with an OEM heater core without the swivels. FWIW the heater core I put in with the swivel tubes lasted exactly 1 year, and then it had to be replaced.
 
Disconnect negative battery terminals from both batterys to disarm the airbags. A accidental activation of the air bags could occur while removing the dash.
 
Re

Hey man I just did mine it's really not to bad your looking at about three hours work. First there are five bolts up Top by the windshield remove those than the air bag and glove box.than both sides have a kick plate down low by your feet there are two bolts there. than down low died center were your shifter is there are two 10mm bolts there and one big plug. Unplug that. Than remove the plate under the steering wheel two 10mm nuts on the bottem of the steering wheel and the steering wheel will lay down on the seat and you can slide the whole dash back about one foot. And know you have clear room to work cut the two heater core lines with a grinder makes it easier to get it out. Work your new one in. than back together it's easier to put new heater hoses on than messing with the old ones. Hope I made since and could help you. Good luck
 
I cheated and cut the hard lines coming out of the core and put rubber on with hose clamps so if I ever change it again it will be easier. It was still a pain in the ass though.
 
cleansilver.01 said:
Hey man I just did mine it's really not to bad your looking at about three hours work. First there are five bolts up Top by the windshield remove those than the air bag and glove box.than both sides have a kick plate down low by your feet there are two bolts there. than down low died center were your shifter is there are two 10mm bolts there and one big plug. Unplug that. Than remove the plate under the steering wheel two 10mm nuts on the bottem of the steering wheel and the steering wheel will lay down on the seat and you can slide the whole dash back about one foot. And know you have clear room to work cut the two heater core lines with a grinder makes it easier to get it out. Work your new one in. than back together it's easier to put new heater hoses on than messing with the old ones. Hope I made since and could help you. Good luck
Click to expand...

thats how i did mine twice the first time took a while. the 2nd was like a nascar tire change only took about 2 hours beer time included!!! Help with the dash is a good idea too! Just go SLOW and be very patient with the new one!!
 
i cracked my A-arm pillar on the drivers side when i swung the dash out... watch out for that.
 
I got it done. It was pretty easy time consuming though, Idk how hard it would be to do it with a dash that wasn't already tore up
 
It isnt easy to keep it in one peice. Im NOT looking forward to putting the new dash in my truck in the spring!
 
ohh mine is actually one piece. i think i remember the po saying he put in a new one before i bought it
 
I would change the evap.when you have it apart Ive done one in most of the vp trucks that come through my shop. it will leak later if you don't
 
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