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Old 05-12-2013, 08:21 AM
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Dick Dick is offline
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Biggrin 1998 Dakota Heater Core

I have a friend who has a '98 Dak with a leaking heater core. I have read various write-ups about the replacement of the core, ranging from an acceptable 4 hr job to a horrific all day affair for a Dodge Tech.

The truck in question is a manual shift no A/C plain Jane vehicle. I would like to believe that this might be a little easier to swap out the core.

I have read a few posts on here from Dak owners who have done the repair and they aren't very encouraging.

I sort of hinted to my buddy that I would change his core, but after more reading, I have decided against it...unless someone here with a similar truck will chime in about their experience.
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Old 05-12-2013, 02:56 PM
old woolie old woolie is offline
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I can't help you. I have been offered the opportunity to do one several times and have graciously refused.
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Old 05-12-2013, 08:27 PM
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JVMopar JVMopar is offline
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You typically have to remove the dash assembly, to get the heater box out. I'd say for the average person it would be an all day project, but definitely could be done in a weekend.
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Old 05-16-2013, 01:15 AM
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Biggrin

Well, I finally agreed to do it. We had the column down and the dash off in a few hours. I understand that the heater box is held to the firewall by 4 studs that protrude through the firewall into the engine compartment and that the 4 nuts must be removed.

Try as we may, we couldn't find 4. We found 2 for sure and maybe a 3rd, but not all 4. The weather was starting to roll in with rain forecast during the afternoon. We talked it over and, lacking necessary information of the 4 fasteners, we decided to button it up as is. Reassembly went very well.

At this point, I am going to make a bypass for the heater core so there won't be coolant leaking into the passenger compartment. At least the truck will be useable until late Fall and colder weather. If I can get the details on the 4 studs, I will try it again.
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Old 05-28-2013, 06:52 PM
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I just did mine over the weekend. there is one stud behind the a/c dryer bracket. i only found three on the firewall and one inside the cab which had a hanger bracket on the passenger side. this job sucked but now that i've done it once it won't be so bad if i have to do it again.
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