Any of you guys have experience with late model Dodges?

[Meep-Meep]

I got drafted into helping a buddy change the heater core on his 2000 RAM 1500 and as I understand it most people would rather take a bath in a tub full of scissors than do that job. Any advice (short of selling the truck or burning it to the ground) would be appreciated.

 

[Cranky]

If it's anything like my 97, the whole dash has to come out. Not that bad of job but pretty much an all day deal. May as well replace the ac evap while in there....

 

[FatJack]

On my 05 the dealer took out the glove box and cut an opening in the heater box and had the thing replaced in about 2 hrs.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Oh crap! That's a good point. I'll see if it's available for tomorrow. Thanks!

 

[Cranky]

On my 05 the dealer took out the glove box and cut an opening in the heater box and had the thing replaced in about 2 hrs.

What did the dealer seal it back up with? I'm one that usually doesn't follow the book on a lot of things but that sounds worse than shade tree to me for a dealer to do it like that....

 

[YY1]

Why the hell don't the make them accessable through the engine side of the firewall??
You can see how easy a simple flat panel with a gasket and 1/2 a dozen screws would be simply by looking.

 

[66_B_Body4ever]

Just did my 97 Dakota, out came the dash... 5-6 hours in and out... once you are in there you realize why they don't have a simple access door. Older vehicles had a much simpler hvac system, today's vehicles have so much more stuff in the dash and better ventilation and ducting accessing the heater core is near impossible... I wouldn't suggest hacking up your heater case but rather get the R&I instructions from your local dealer if you get along with him. I have access to ALLDATA which can be a huge time saver... Good luck!

 

[Meep-Meep]

Well, job done. Took me and the truck owner less than 5 hrs from when we started to having it finished and running in the driveway. I'll have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought and we even managed to wiggle the core out and back in without disconnecting the A/C.

 

[shag766]

gd 4 u

Well, job done. Took me and the truck owner less than 5 hrs from when we started to having it finished and running in the driveway. I'll have to admit it wasn't as bad as I thought and we even managed to wiggle the core out and back in without disconnecting the A/C.

job well done:headbang:

 

[scotts74birds]

God bless ya! In my factory, the entire dash, heater/ac core included, goes in in 30 seconds. Serviceability is not a factor! Ease of installation is! I really believe what the other poster said about its easier to cut and replace the glove box, than do it by the numbers!