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yes parts for our van are getting really hard to find...

I just had to pay $300 for a new factory heater core...ack!

 

I wonder if they're still making parts for these vans but are just using them as new parts for other Dodge vehicles since these vans are no longer produced. Is there anything from other newer Dodge models that will work in certain situations for us? I'd imagine there would have to be some type of bushing from other Dodge vehicles that are similar enough to work here.

 

Why not from rockauto.com?
Even though I live in Germany and have to pay more for shipping, toll and tax than for the parts, they still are cheaper than any parts shop here (or Chrysler, of course).
I just replaced my heater core a few month ago... part was about 45 US$.

 

I wasn't going to do that job again...I just had to replace my evaporator, the blend door and the heater core -- all were bad.

I just cannot trust a $45 heater core. Gee the amount of copper in the old heater core was almost $15 in scrap. So, it only cost $30 to make/package and ship - ehhhhh...How pure do you think the copper is?
I have had 6 Chinese/Far Eastern parts fail on or in my van. There is a LOT of CRAP out there.

The last factory one lasted 11 years. That's what I want

 

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Nice to hear it worked out!

Concerning the parts subject, I think we have totally entered the age of throw away vehicles. Parts? Why do you need parts? Your are supposed to go into debt and buy and buy a new 50k dollar van, right?!?!

I think you are right - we will start going to junkyards and actually have old parts rebuilt.

 

50% of your old core weight probably was the scale deposits ;-) At least it was on mine. Consisted only from scale, bar's leaks and copper oxyde
But you are right, rockauto had to deliver the heater core twice. The first one was crushed (the copper is damn thin!). Even the second one was not 100% ok, the mounting frame was not soldered correctly to the core, and it also did not fit perfectly. I had to seal it to the box with extra foam.

I usually buy only parts from well-known US or Euro manufacturers, no Chinese stuff. Even that is really cheap on rockauto, you certainly know... On heater cores, I had no idea who makes good ones... so I took the best that came from the same warehouses I already had in my shopping basket.
I hope it will last for some years. It was almost impossible to install, because my van obviously had a severe accident, that was not repaired very well. I could not get out the heater box... had to use brute force both ways, broke some parts... Changing all front axle wear parts was not much harder!

This thread about the shock bushings was very interesting, because my van already had aftermarket (monroe) shocks with the small bushings. So I had no bad feeling when installing new ones, that looked exactly the same... But as you say, they are quite small, more for a small car than for a 6000 pounds van. When I have too much time ;-) I will try what you did! It's good that the shocks are so easy to remove.

Daniel

 

ah, the Monroe shocks from Rockauto fit just fine and the bushings that come with the shocks work just fine, so what's the problem not finding them???

 

I spent a LOT of time researching this part as my heater core is finally beginning to leak a little. After a lot of going in circles and looking at was recommended but *obviously* the wrong version I finally found a Spectra 99382. It looks right, and should fit all 2000 - 2003 ram van versions with all engines. Amazon has a good price so I might end up having to give this one a try.

http://ecat.spectrapremium.com/a/000078803