Can someone point me in the direction for good instructions on replacing the heater core on a 01 1500 Ram 5.2L. I know I saw it around here somewhere, but can't seem to find it now.

Thanks,

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...placement.html Remember to disconnect the shifter indicator cable.

 

Cool, thanks. That seems pretty straightforward. From everything I read, this is a PITA but I gotta get it done sometime.

Thanks for the link, helps a bunch.

 

The instructions are good.. but I have done 2 of these...and can do it 2 hours.. remove screws from top of dash.. remove nuts/bolts holding steering column up.. loosen the 2 bolts on bottom of dash... the dash will now swing down.. remove heater core hoses from in/out tubes.. remove the 2 screws holding the tubes to the heater box ..they are located in side under the dash.. you will see them when you swing dash back.. use grinder.. cut tubes off old core.. pull tubes out through firewall.. pull core up out of heater box..it will pull straight up..
I used the heater core you can get at autozone.. the new core will have tubes that you can swivel.. swivel the tubes so they will go back through the firewall... slide the heater core back down in the heater box.... button it all back up..and your done.. I know some ppl.. dont agree with this method.. but it works and it is not such a pita.. just sayin

 

I did my 99 3 times. 2 heater cores and the evaporator core. Frist time tryed to do it without removing the dash all the way and thats how i f--d up the evaporator core. Drop the steering column undo all wires and take the dash right out. Make sure to connect the ground strap back on the heater core. First core i did i put a cheap one in. It lasted a year. The second one was a little more but all aluminum. Been in 5 years now.

 

So are you saying I can get away with not having to decompress the AC system?

 

I have.. on 2002 2500 and on 2000 1500.. didnt touch the AC at all..but like I said in OP.. alot of ppl dont like the method I use.. but it works for me.. if you slide the core straight up and back in.. you shouldnt mess up the ac evap ..and some ppl dont like the aluminum cores..but they both have lasted over 2 years ..no problems.. just becareful.. some ppl get in a hurry..and I could see them messing up the ac evap real easy.. but if you want to do it.. how ever you are comfortable with

 

I can't for the life of me figure out how you can get the core back in and have the tubes go through the wall. The just hit the dashboard, and if I line them up with the holes, there's no way the core will slide down in. They swivel, but they seem to protrude too far forward.

Think it would be ok if I cut the core tubes, lined everything up, and then use two small pieces of hose/clamps to reconnect it?

Seems the only other way is to pull the whole airbox. Which would involve having to decompress the AC.

Edit: I removed the two screws from the inside, and the four nuts from the engine bay. I can wiggle the airbox unit, but can't pull it out away from the firewall. If I could just get it 4-5 inches back I could slide the tubes in.

 

It takes a lil patience .. like I said. this method is not for every one.. but it does work..I start the tubes in.. then at same time swivel the core back down .. or maybe I just have been lucky..and hold my tongue just right..lol... I wouldnt ruin a new core by cutting the tubes.. just saying.. but it would work..

 

My friend thank you for this. I knew there was a way around the A/C discharging.

I have to give something back so here you go a picture is worth a thousand words.

After pulling the dash back remove the glove box, looking throw you can see the core.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hegurl/2-6.jpg

You need to work throw the glove box and the passenger side Aperale hole
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...egurl/1-26.jpg

Looking throw the passenger side dash.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hegurl/7-1.jpg

Now cut the two pipes off how ever you can I used a cut off saw.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hegurl/5-2.jpg

The core will now pull out with a little wiggling and pulling.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Kashegurl/8.jpg


Now the fun part getting the new one in. This not an easy task I must say. But if you move the two tubes in just the right spot you can slide it in. Don't be afraid to tweak the core / tubes you can straighten every thing out once you get the core in the heater box.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Kashegurl/12.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Kashegurl/11.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Kashegurl/10.jpg


FYI this is the shifter cable you need to remove.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v132/Kashegurl/13.jpg


This is what my heater core looked like "I thing I should have done this 2 years ago"
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hegurl/4-2.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...hegurl/3-2.jpg


I hope this somehow gets to the DIY section I have found this way a lot easier and you do not need to mess with the A/C freon.