How difficult is removing heater box?

[insaneranger]

I found a great junkyard that specializes in nothing, but rangers & bronco IIs. He has several non A/C rangers with heater boxes still intact. The problem I'm having is removing one. I've been told it's a big job & due to a back injury & hernia I have limited mobility & haven't found anyone to help me, yet. Does anyone have a link to pictures or a video showing removal so I can be prepared as possible? Thanks.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is pretty straightforward. Pick on a 4cyl truck if you can as it gives you more room in the engine bay. Anything without the airfilter box on the inner fender is easier too (carbed)

The biggest snag there is one nut on the inside of the cab, it is on the bottom of the airbox. The nuts like to rip out of the airbox and/or firewall too. When that happens it complicates things a lot... so bring your penetrating oil of choice.

It might make it easier to pull the inner fender with your mobility thing because the bottom nuts are kinda hard to get at but that can be a whole 'nuther can of worms if things are rusty.

 

[insaneranger]

Thanks for the reminder about the penetrating oil. That's one thing I tend to forget to take to junkyards. I'm going to try to go the beginning of the week. I'll take some penetrating oil with me this time.

The heater in my wife's car also just went out so we're going to try to find some parts for her car while we're hitting junkyards.

 

[ecgreen]

The nuts like to rip out of the airbox and/or firewall too. When that happens it complicates things a lot...

I am there right now...dash removal seems imminent...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I am there right now...dash removal seems imminent...

Have you tried vice grips? I have fought that *&@^ before and haven't had to pull a dash yet.

 

[ecgreen]

Have you tried vice grips? I have fought that *&@^ before and haven't had to pull a dash yet.

It is the top bolt on the housing in the engine bay - its spinning. If I get a vice grip on it, I dont have enough room to get a wrench in there...

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It is the top bolt on the housing in the engine bay - its spinning. If I get a vice grip on it, I dont have enough room to get a wrench in there...

Ew, I haven't only ever had problems with the one that goes thru the firewall into the passenger compartment on the bottom.

 

[ecgreen]

Just fiddled for an hour no luck. Tried to squeeze a pair of needle nose vice grips between the firewall and the housing, but could get a grab on the stud....

 

[ecgreen]

Ew, I haven't only ever had problems with the one that goes thru the firewall into the passenger compartment on the bottom.

I ended up drilling holes in the blower motor housing until I could just pull the bolt and nut through the housing. I am not re-using the housing, but if someone wanted to and ran into this, they could drill out the plastic around the nut and then use a washer when they re-installed.

I only wish I came up with this plan BEFORE I took half the dash apart.