I'm removing my Dash today or tomorrow to work on the HVAC box fix a few things going on and replace my blower and Evaporator Core.

Any tips on Dash removal

98 Dakota

 

Yes, take plenty of pics as you go along then do a write up on it.

Obviously, I don't have any useful tips, but it could save someone else going through the frustration.

Here is a youtube video anyway.

 

I'm lucky the other forum had a great Pic walk through of removing the dash but now all the Pic's are gone.

But I downloaded all 38 Pic's before they vanished I'm very glad I did

I always snag as many Pic's as I can off forums


This is one

 

If you find an "easy" way, I might do this so I can find out why air flow through my vents is low. And it's not the recirc door above the blower.

 

Removing your dash is very easy. It looks hard but it's
not I have done lots of them fix the hvac system. You have
a broken blend door or jammed. This is a common problem for
Dodge. All I can say take your time lots of pics if your not sure
your dash needs to be removed to fix your problem.

 

Dodgevity your Dak is an 03 not the same as my 98 Dash removal may be the same but with a few different things to disconnect or completely different?

 

Well HVAC Box is out

But its in very bad shape wow I will be doing a ton of work on this thing

Blower was almost frozen and rusted up blend door flap is toast the shop that worked on it ripped my Box up bad and a number of other problems.

OH NO mister BILL

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HVAC Box cleaned out with new heater core, Blower with a good used A/C core the used blend door I sealed it up some as it was starting to rust.

So I will install it Sunday

 

I followed this guide I found on the web worked great the only thing I can ad is the Dash is heaver than you think and beware of the sharp edges.

Give yourself at least 3 days to do it

In the guide it says lock your steering wheel I didn't do that and it worked out ok.


Have you’re A/C evacuated, lock the steering wheel with wheels straight leave keys in ignition disconnect battery, then turn the ignition key to on and leave it for 30 minutes or so. This will drain the power to the airbags

WHAT YOU’LL NEED.

6mm, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm, 7/16, ½” sockets. Some in deep sockets Phillips screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver, Duct tape, Self-adhering weather-stripping 5/8 and ½ a/c disconnect tool

1. In the engine bay, undo the A/C lines, heater core lines and the one vacuum line.

2. Remove lower steering column panel 3 screws remove from truck.

3. Undo the bracket holding the OBD port 4 screws let it drop to floor.

4. Remove passenger & drivers side kick panels; Undo the ground wires, the large bolts will be removed later from truck.

5. Remove instrument cluster bezel it just pulls off remove from truck.

6. Remove HVAC controls 4 screws unhook temp, power and vacuum connectors remove from truck.

7. Unhook e-brake release just pull the white clip down and the bar should slide out let drop down.

8. Undo hood release from bracket 2 screws let drop down.

9. Remove radio and glove box remove from truck.

10. Under radio undo the center panel drop panel down, unplug cig lighter and airbag shut off switch remove panel from truck.

12. Drop your steering column 4 nuts to undo drop down its ok.

13. Pull out the screws from the top of dashboard 5 of them.

14. Now remove the two large bolts on each side that holds the dash in place pull dash out a bit.

16. Pull the dash away just enough so you have room to pull out the HVAC box from passenger side.

17. The HVAC box is now fully visible, unplug the fan power connector. Undo the harness with the two green vacuum lines and unplug the radio antenna.

18. Undo the air duct that is bolted to the top of the HVAC box, just pull it out.

19. Undo the steel bracket holding the HVAC box remove from truck or it gets in the way.

20. Back to the engine bay undo the stud nuts holding the HVAC box in place there should be 4 or 5 NOTE pull off you’re A/C drip tube small elbow if you have one don’t lose it.

21. The HVAC box should now be free Remove it from the truck.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Take the HVAC box in the garage. Remove the actuator by undoing the two bolts. Then follow the arm to the white clip. You’ll see it held on with a press fit washer. Pry the washer up with a flathead screwdriver. SAVE IT! And you can maneuver the arm out of the clip.

Undo all the screws holding the top of the box on About 20 of them And 1 press fit washer again. Save the washer pull the lid off.

Remove the old core. If you have an aftermarket core it’s a little bigger than the factory one. So see the plastic tabs in the bottom of the box, you may have to snap them off. I did.

Test fit your core until you’re satisfied. Fill in any gaps with the weather-stripping you purchased.

Secure the lid and all the screws and washer.

Reattach the actuator.

At this point I chose to seal any air gaps around the lid with duct tape.

Go ahead and reinstall the HVAC box and secure it to the firewall.

BEGIN REASSAMBLY in reverse

 

This forum is blowing out my text that's why I'm adding this

One other thing be very careful with the parking brake that you don't accidently pop it if you're parked on a slant if you don't carefully pop off the lever attachment you may accidently pop it out of park and have a runaway truck I almost did was I glad I stuck some big rocks under all 4 wheels.

Be ready for surprises my Box was so trashed it blew me away very bad shape fan was bad heater core was bad blend door was bad a lot of work.

Oh one other thing getting the HVAC Box back in was a bear

I'm so glad that's over with