I see RockAuto.com has the heater core for about $50.00 for my 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 4.7L... the brand is Spectra.

What brand should I be looking for? does it matter?

RockAuto.com a good place to buy parts? where else could I look?

 

I know spectra radiators are total garbage so one could assume the same about their heater cores. It would really suck to spend all that time replacing it with a sub par unit. I say pick another brand for sure.

 

Try checking Advance Auto Parts to get a price and then use Google to find discount codes to use at checkout and see if that brings the price down enough for you.

 

I would agree that you should steer clear of any cheap quality brand of part that either requires a huge amount of labor to replace (such as a heater core) OR can leave you stuck on the side of the road.

After doing a pretty extensive search, it seems as though Spectra is the only aftermarket company making a heater core for your truck. I personally would not use one of their products in my truck.

The factory Mopar unit can be had for $87.00 http://www.partsgeek.com/gbproducts/...03&fp=pp&gbm=a

If it were me, i would spend a little extra and buy the OEM part.