Tips, tricks, & plain ole' good advice for changing the heater core?

[DailyDriver]

Well, when it rains it pours. Heater core took a dump on me yesterday. I read the tech article on this site & in my Haynes manual. I know the dash has to come out, any tips from the folks here that have done this???

Thanks in advance.

 

[DailyDriver]

No tips or advice out there???

It just sucks to change it...........live with it huh lol.

 

[Southern3.0]

I just did it a few weeks ago, its not that hard it just takes a little time. The write up in the library pretty much covers it.

A cordless drill with 7 and a 8 mm socket was helpful, that and a ratchet wrench for the heater box on the firewall behind the engine.

 

[Mark_88]

You have to remove the heater box on those years?

Mine you just undo the hose clamps and drain the fluid, then open the access panel under the dash (and you should NOT have to remove the dash itself) and pull the old core out...slip in the new one...attach panel, connect hoses, and top up the fluid in the rad...

Maybe I should take a look at the tech bulletin because I've never done a newer Ranger core...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

you have to pull the dash on the newer generation trucks ('95 and up).

 

[Mark_88]

you have to pull the dash on the newer generation trucks ('95 and up).

Thanks...I think I might just avoid those years...not that yanking the dash is difficult or anything...

 

[Mirage]

I did mine last winter, what a pain. I think if I ever have to do it again I would consider cutting out a panel in the firewall to allow me to access it from the engine side. Pulling the dash is a pain especially the first time, when you're unfamiliar with the procedure.

Sorry there is no short-cut that I'm aware of.

 

[DailyDriver]

I did mine last winter, what a pain. I think if I ever have to do it again I would consider cutting out a panel in the firewall to allow me to access it from the engine side. QUOTE]

LOL it was that bad huh.

 

[Fast Fords]

get a camera to take pics of your progress or get baggies to put screws/nuts/bolts into so you remember what goes where. A few beers, a warm shop and time and paitence really was the key for me 2 weeks ago. Not a hard job, just very time consuming

 

[Mirage]

Not that hard, but as others have said, time consuming. All total it took me about 4 hours, including interruptions. Once the dash is out it's real easy and quick. Getting the plenum back in right and sealing properly takes a little patience. Mine had a few foam pads on the plenum that were worn out or torn so I found some 1/8" foam padding from a recent upholstery job and replaced it. Glad I took the extra time.

Like I said, not a hard job, just a pain. Makes me miss my 68' Mustang, or my 61' Galaxy.

 

[DailyDriver]

get a camera to take pics of your progress or get baggies to put screws/nuts/bolts into so you remember what goes where. A few beers, a warm shop and time and paitence really was the key for me 2 weeks ago. Not a hard job, just very time consuming

Last night I got the dash out in a couple of hours. Took my time, had a few icy cold adult beverages, Metallica cranked up, & my warm garage lol. Good advice

You were dead on, not hard but very time consuming.

I'll post once the job is completed. I wanted to get a head start on it last night.

 

[DailyDriver]

Finally done. It was a PITA. I'll tell ya what would have helped is an extended reach 11mm wrench. One of the nuts was right behind the engine.

I didn't take of the steering wheel or disconnect the monster mega wire connection at the firewall and was able to get-r-done.

 

[Southern3.0]

A 11 mm offset ratchet wrench did the trick for me, the more I work on my truck the happer I am that I got that set.

 

[Fast Fords]

I didn't take of the steering wheel or disconnect the monster mega wire connection at the firewall and was able to get-r-done.

um..sh*t..i definately did it the hard way haha..now i know for next time...











.........i hope there isn't a next time

 

[DailyDriver]

um..sh*t..i definately did it the hard way haha..now i know for next time...











.........i hope there isn't a next time

LOL I hear ya bro.

Yeah, you can move the dash around enough to pull the plenum without messing with the s/wheel, removing the steering column, & mega connector.