2000 ranger evaporator core replacement

[spitse]

I have been searching, and am still confused. I have a 2000 ranger that i did a 3.0 - 4.0 swap. Engine and AC compressor are from a 2000 explorer sport.

AC worked fine last year after swap, but now won't hold charge. had a shop take a look and they say evaporator core. They said it would be much money to fix because dash would have to be removed. So in the spirit of saving money, I thought I'd do it myself.

Now my confusion, I have been instructed yes dash has to be removed to get to core, others say accessible from engine bay, no dash removal needed. So which is it? Don't want to have to pull dash if not needed.

I have the evap core, but what else might I need? Seen mention of an orfis, what do I ask for at the parts store? Any tips that will save bad words and skin? I plan on taking to a shop to have vac tested and recharge.


Bought a heater core to replace if I have to pull dash, but won't put that in until needed if I can do evap core from engine bay.

 

[v8318cid]

Unless the design has changed for some reason, the evaporator should be removable from the engine bay. The A/C box should extend out from the firewall and is held together by a number of small screws. Some are easier to get to than others so that can complicate things a bit. If you're replacing the evaporator, the orifice tube should be in the lower inlet and can be replaced if needed. If your system has been open for any length of time, you should also replace the accumulator as it will most-likely be contaminated with moisture from the humidity in the air.