Who has changed the heater core through the airbag hole?

[jimmyess333]

I have a 2007 ranger and I need to do the heater core soon.
I was wondering who has changed the heater core by removing the passenger airbag and what year truck they have?
I'll probably have to unbolt the heater box from the firewall still but if I can avoid dropping the column and dash that would be great.

 

[creepinjeepster]

Never heard of it being done that way before. As for as new as your truck is, wouldn't that be under manufacture warranty?

 

[CheapThrillB2]

Considering it calls for 6.3 hours to R&R I doubt your gonna get lucky and pull it out through that opening.

 

[jimmyess333]

Never heard of it being done that way before. As for as new as your truck is, wouldn't that be under manufacture warranty?

The bumper to bumper ends at 36,000 miles and I'm way past that.
None of the other sections of the warranty would cover it either.
It was worth a look though.

I'm prepared to do this thing the long way but of course any short cuts would be appreciated.
So far I heard you don't have to take the AC box completely out or dissconect the lines to get to the heater box bolts, I'll report back if it works out that way for me.

I plan to take my time and take pics when I get around to doing this but the next day off without plans is Nov 14.

 

[modelageek]

Are you sure it needs to be replaced? 2007?

 

[jimmyess333]

Are you sure it needs to be replaced? 2007?

I get a strong smell of antifreeze when I turn on the heater and the windshield fogs out when I turn on the defroster.
I don't see any leaks where the hoses connect to the core but I dont have a wet floor either.

 

[CheapThrillB2]

If you take the inner pass wheel well out, you can take the engine side of the a/c box loose and sneak a wrench inbetween that and the firewall to remove the interior heater box nuts.

 

[ronclark]

A good write up and it pretty much the same on a 2004, I am sure its the same for a 2007
http://www.therangerstation.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3346

BTW on a 2004 behind the pass air bag is a metal box. there is no way around removing the dashboard