Today is going to be my 3rd day picking away at removing the dashboard of a 98 Durango SLT. 3rd day, due to maintaining my real job. As mention, take your time. My friend turned me on to some 3rd level mechanic instructions that i'm using to lead me through this. However, the friend mentioned you don't have to disconnect everything they mention in it. However, do follow the airbag disabling instructions to the 'T'. Today, is the day I lower dashboard. BTW, I have not completely removed the steering wheel column nor totally disconnect my main ignition cable head (due to having the ability to roll up the windows in case it rains.) but i did unbolt the steering column support and while it's still linked to the steering link, I push it into the firewall and it permits enough room to lower it to the floorboard. Hopefully that'll be enough room to work on the heater core removal / install & I'm hoping to change out the air condition evaporator on the same token. which is co-located by the heat core (so I've been told). However, in the process of lowering my steering column I broke the connection (cable) that connects to the panel's shift gear indicator...and I haven't found where exactly or how it exactly it connect to the steering column. So, if anyone has any pictures or info, please reply. Lastly if you like a professional copy of instruction for dashboard removal, send me an email; carlmoreno@hotmail.com

 

The little cable goes back down between behind the cluster and comes out on the left hand side of the column. https://dodgeforum.com/forum/1st-gen...dont-work.html

 

1-week later, I finally got'erdun!....without having to completely pull out the steering column (dropped it to the floor board), or disconnecting the main and a few smaller wiring harnesses from the driver side dashboard and obviously w/out completely removing the dashboard (tilted to its max hinged setting (with wire harnesses still attached), then unhinged the passenger side and lowered the dashboard as much as possible to pull out the cased heat core / ac evaporator. The biggest challenge was disconnecting the lower heat duct (by pass air to the rear seats) and locating the freakin hidden nut on the engine firewall that hides down low and behind the transmission dip stick (There are 4-nuts that secure the heat core housing unit to the firewall). Oh..and the glove box!!! pulling it out was a snap, putting it back in....without loosening the 3-screws inside the glove box (on the glove box itself) I would have never put it on w/out snapping off the plastic hinges. As noted, I took my time and walked away with everything working 100% (whooa!)....and less 2-screws lighter (I can't find where I left them out...but it's all good). Furthermore, the Heat Core I got from Autozone ($40) was a bit wider then the old and won't fit unless you cut/grind out the plastic tab in the housing compartment (for the heat core). As for the AC Evaporator ($120) it's a tight fit and I reused the old rubber (shock absorbers) from the old to ensure it maintained it engineered efforts. Lastly, don’t forget to buy the items from Autozone separate to earn the $20 credit after 5th purchase over twenty dollars. BTW, That's my girl...getting that nut for me. LOL

 

I'd say she's a keeper! If she's this fearless, there are endless things you guys can do together! On the D, that is.

 

Hell ya!

You gotta keeper there!.....LMAO