Years to fit 98 heater box.

[conyers73]

I have a 98 Ford Ranger that will not heat. Someone has performed surgery and removed the door with the smaller electric motor on it. I have changed the thermostat, heater control valve and have hot hoses on both ends of heater core.

I want to know what years will fit a 1998 Ranger heater box so I can put back everything original. I am open to any suggestions that will make the heater work without changing the whole box.

Frustrated
Johnny

 

[don4331]

This is pain in @$$ job, but depending on damage, you may not need to remove the entire box.

The flap door was dead in my '98 Ranger (cheap plastic broke). I removed the door motor (removing passenger's air bag made it SO much easier) and confirmed it worked (engine running to get vacuum, then changed temp shaft moved, so I knew it wasn't motor).

With that confirmed, I went into engine compartment via front fender well (removed fender liner). Then I removed the blower motor/ac assembly (one bolt is inside cab if I remember correctly). I moved a bunch of stuff temporarily away - cruise, overflow tank, etc)

With cover off, I could remove the busted flap and swap in the good one. Bunch of sharp edges and contortions to deal with to get new door into its pivots, all while being careful not to break it. Note: There are people selling replacement doors...

Then everything was reassembled. Took me about a morning to do, but now the Ranger has defrost!

If it doesn't make sense, let me know where and I will attempt to clarify.

Worst part for me was dropping the 1/4" ratchet into the void of the heater and having to get a magnet to fish it back out.

Don

 

[Mark_88]

I would try what Don suggested before trying to swap out the whole box...

I can assure you that removing the box will be a major PITA if everything is as rusted as my 96 was...I had to cut off some of the bolts that Ford uses to secure this unit because the retainers they used (square hole nuts that fit the holes in the firewall) almost all managed to pop themselves out so they would not undo and somehow managed to still keep the heater box fastened to the firewall...

Maybe there is an easier way...but I didn't find it...

 

[conyers73]

Thanks Don and Mark for your help and encouragement. I just ordered a new blend door and motor. I will try to replace it first.

Thanks again guys

Johnny