TJ heater core replacement

[BigAl]

I don't need any help, I just wanted to see if anyone wants to comiserate
I worked on my brother's this weekend, what a sucko job, we worked 5 hours and didn't have any mistakes or holdups. We had to drop the steering column, remove the radio, heater controls, then the entire dash to get the heater box out. The heater box itself is held together with ~400 screws. We got it done just in time though, it's 27F here today.

 

[Steve Curren]

Thanks for the info, I was thinking of trying it myself. I also have a full cage in mine and I guess the radiator shop will be happy to see me. Bet they say "Two weeks in Hawaii" I ask how much .

 

[BigAl]

My brother was quoted $800 by a local mechanic, so it was definitely worth the trouble. Now that I 've done it, I could probably get it done in 3.5-4 hrs. Nothing is too difficult just very tedious. I don't know about a full cage, depending on how the front is done, you may have to pull the cage.

 

[Steve Curren]

$800 is a hefty chunk of change all right but I will have to remove the cage and I am not too sure about the steeering column and the likes. I will see what the radiator shop says and go from there.

 

[Haggis]

Try replacing the heater core on a 2nd generation Ram. After about 3 hours of constant cursing, I drove it across the road to my neighbors garage (local shade tree) and had him finish it. He had it for 2 days and charged me $300 including the parts. I told him the job was worth more, but he wouldn't take any more. So the next night the meat fairy left him a big box of moose and venison via the redneck barter system.

 

[Steve Curren]

Sounds like you got to the meat of things... Sometimes it seems like it's just easier on both the body and the mind if you can find another do do the work.