HELP!! heater core and dealer AC disaster!

[dakonthemountain]

God what a mess!! I didn't realize that even the dealer AC would have to come outmanual. I've got the heater vents, cables, etc. off. No problem per the manual. But how can I get the box off to get to the core!! The manual does not state this when there is dealer air involved. I only thought it would be a pain if the truck had integrated factory AC . Has anyone else removed the dealer AC, or at least found a way to slide the evaporator box out of the way (without detaching the hoses and evacuating the R12!!) so I can get the Heater box out?!! I'm totally stuck with a truck underdash half torn apart..

Thanks for any help!
Dak

 

[m78]

Sorry I can't help you Dak, I paid a friend to do mine.
He said it wasn't that bad after he figured out how to move the things around and not have to take them out.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Thanks anyway Mark... I'm just sick about this and have spent 4 hours just trying to figure out a way! I've given up for the time and thank God I don't have to drive Burt every day! I'd be SOL!!!
Dak

 

[fatherdoug]

I've done mine, but it was factory air. I don't know the differences between the two.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Fatherdoug, Did you need to remove the entire system and evacuate the AC and remove the dash to get to it? Thanks for any insight you can provide.
Dak

 

[fatherdoug]

I did not need to replace the evaporator, so I was able to move the evaporator to the side to replace the heater core and blower motor. Do both because you will only want to do this job ONCE! I am assuming that removal or replacement of the evaporator will require evacuation. You will only need to remove the bolt that holds the right-hand side of the dash to the cab. It's a tight fit, but it can be wrangled out of there. If you are a contortionist, that will also help. I thought we had a sticky for replacement of the heater core/blower motor, but I can't seem to find it. Mayhaps someone else can point you in the right direction for that article.

 

[dakonthemountain]

Thanks for the tip on the dash bolt removal. A guy on "the other site" has also noted this but added to do both sides and the center dash support. The heater core/blower is actually easy if not for the AC! I am going to replace the blower motor as a precaution. I'm going to try the dash part first to see if I can move the evaporator aside a bit (pulling the hoses through the firewall a bit) to get it out. I'm only about 1/2" away!!!! I'm now away from the truck but will dive back in on Tuesday night..
Thanks again!
Dak

 

[fatherdoug]

Good Luck, Dak. You might to "stretch" the right side of the dash a bit, but if you are careful, everything will go back into place.