2004 dakota heater
I've junked out some Dakotas, and changed one heater core, but they were all older models, 97--01 or so. No fun, for sure. If you are patient and pay attention, round up a service manual, etc. Biggest issue for me was figuring out how to unlatch some ofthe $*%&#@( electrical connectors while trying to reach up under the dash.
On mine, pull part of the column upper housing apart, to assess the connectors, pull the dash lower and upper bezels and trim, and remove the glove box. Unplug just about everything you can find. Drop the column after removing the seats for operating room
Then there are several screws up by the windshield, and side bolts down on the lower left and right. You either need help or have to be strong enough to lift it up some and hinge it down
At some point some of the heater control cables/ vacuum, etc has to be unlatched, and if memory serves, the defrost duct One you get everything unhooked, the entire dash just lifts right out
Got the seats, column, and dash out of the way here
The old core and the AC evap. Consider replacing it as well "just because." On this truck not shown, NAPA showed two cores, one a BUNCH thicker. By cutting a couple of plastic "tits" out of the box, I was able to fit the larger core
I've junked out some Dakotas, and changed one heater core, but they were all older models, 97--01 or so. No fun, for sure. If you are patient and pay attention, round up a service manual, etc. Biggest issue for me was figuring out how to unlatch some ofthe $*%&#@( electrical connectors while trying to reach up under the dash.
On mine, pull part of the column upper housing apart, to assess the connectors, pull the dash lower and upper bezels and trim, and remove the glove box. Unplug just about everything you can find. Drop the column after removing the seats for operating room
Then there are several screws up by the windshield, and side bolts down on the lower left and right. You either need help or have to be strong enough to lift it up some and hinge it down
At some point some of the heater control cables/ vacuum, etc has to be unlatched, and if memory serves, the defrost duct One you get everything unhooked, the entire dash just lifts right out
Got the seats, column, and dash out of the way here
The old core and the AC evap. Consider replacing it as well "just because." On this truck not shown, NAPA showed two cores, one a BUNCH thicker. By cutting a couple of plastic "tits" out of the box, I was able to fit the larger core