Ok this is what's going on: my heater core has gone out in my truck. Didn't seem like a biggie at the time.. until today. I found out that the hole dash and hole shabang has to come out for the heater core to be changed out. Now let me remind you that this truck has almost 260000mi on it with the factory drivetrain so on and so forth. It burns no oil, and has no leaks,(other than the heater core). It was never run hot. Would it be worth taking the dash out and putting a heater core in? OR just go get a new truck? Lmk thanks
Lucas

 

Whether you did it your self or had someone else do it, sure beats a truck payment every month. But it's up to you. I'd replace it and go until the truck stops rolling.

 

Not sure what all vehicles you could do it to but some of them you could cut a hole in the fender well to get to the heater core. Guess it depends the amount of work you want to do. I'm a redneck though so I do what I have to do to make things work. REDNECK ENGINEERING!!!

 

You can't cut a access hole in these trucks.

Just fix it. It's a lot more intimidating than it really is. Just take your time and pay attention to what comes off and where it is. Getting the dash wiring harness back into place is a little tricky so pay close attention to its routing.

You'll have to discharge the a/c.

The dash pad comes off first- takes about 10 minutes, probably 30 if it's your first time.

Then strip the cluster, and all the modules off the carrier. Pull the column out too. ( BE SURE TO USE SOMETHING TO LOCK THE COLUMN SO YOU DON'T RUIN YOUR AIRBAG COIL IN THE COLUMN!!) I don't remember if the passenger side airbag comes out or not.

Then pull the carrier off of the firewall. Once that's off you pull the box off the firewall. There's a couple screws the some in from under the engine compartment that you'll need to get. One is near where the a/c lines come in.

Taking your time you should realistically be able to get this done in about 10 hours if it's your first time.

 

Lucas, just fix her. Unless your dad is going to give ya another truck, you really don't have a choice. Johnny knows what he is talking about and I know your smart enough to do it. J/K
Trust me, you just graduated and just started working your real first job. YOU DON'T WANT OR NEED A TRUCK PAYMENT.!!!!!!

 

Thats a lot of work ??? I would sell it, and buy another truck !!! REMEMBER it has 260K miles & it's not a DIESEL !!! It's just going to give you more trouble in the future !!

 

Some great deals on trucks right now, but still a lot cheaper to fix then to buy new. My wife wants me to get a new one because of the great deals now. I'm like hell no, this one is paid for and running like a champ. Fix it

 

What is a new heater core, around $200? Be another $300-$600 labor. So around $800, have it fixed, then compare that to a $400-$700/month truck payment for 5 years.

 

Yeah if your happy with your truck just fix it and drive her til the wheels fall off, not only will you not have a truck payment for 5 years and you will have the knowledge of how to do the heater core swap for a lifetime

 

I think what i might do is fix the truck and give it back to my sister and solve most of the problems of an older vehicle. I'll trade the car she has in now and get a new truck.