2021 Dodge Ram big horn dash frame removal heater core replacement pain in the ass

First off Happy new year everyone

Okay thanks for reading my post
My heater core went out on my 2021 Dodge ram big horn there
are NO HIDDEN BOLTS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL BRACKET
It's a total different setup you have to remove the dash pad includes all electric hardware on the dash itself 7mm bolts are holding the dash pad everything once you have removed the the dash pad fasteners and disconnecting electric plastic clips the black trim under wiper blades remove the black clips in fromt left up on the black trim your going to see a 10mm bolt head they're is one under the other wiper arm as well remove them and the frame will be lose i was on YouTube for hours trying to find it you can't time 4 days took my time The first picture what your truck like once your done the second picture is the dash pad and electric hardware and trim the third picture is the 10mm bolt head are located under the black trim again Happy new year thanks for reading sorry about the grammar

 

[mb33458]

That about right, PIA. Had to do the same on my mother's 08 Altima.

 

[Sandevino]

Good times.

 

[markabby]

makes me glad i'm paying for an extended warranty that supposedly covers this stuff. (i hope)

 

[Lysergic]

That looks like NOT a fun project.

Seems like an awfully short lifespan for a heater core, but these days, not a surprise. The heater core in my 2012 Tradesman had 10 years on it, and was replaced as a preventative measure in 2022 because the dash was already exploded to fix the AC evap coil. Hopefully I made the right decision.

 

[turkeybird56]

That about right, PIA. Had to do the same on my mother's 08 Altima.

Replaced Heater core on wife's 1990 Chevy Lumina with V6 transverse mounted motor: Besides taking dash apart, HAD to crack both motor mounts, pull pins/bolts and use come a long to pull motor like 8 inches forward to get the pipes disconnected from hoses/and mount bracket on firewall. 'SWORE" I would NEVA do that type of work again, boy did that suk and was it a MAJOR PITA.

 

[Fast69Mopar]

First off Happy new year everyone

Okay thanks for reading my post
My heater core went out on my 2021 Dodge ram big horn there
are NO HIDDEN BOLTS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL BRACKET
It's a total different setup you have to remove the dash pad includes all electric hardware on the dash itself 7mm bolts are holding the dash pad everything once you have removed the the dash pad fasteners and disconnecting electric plastic clips the black trim under wiper blades remove the black clips in fromt left up on the black trim your going to see a 10mm bolt head they're is one under the other wiper arm as well remove them and the frame will be lose i was on YouTube for hours trying to find it you can't time 4 days took my time The first picture what your truck like once your done the second picture is the dash pad and electric hardware and trim the third picture is the 10mm bolt head are located under the black trim again Happy new year thanks for reading sorry about the grammar

Just another day in the life of a dealership line tech.

 

[Jimmy07]

First off Happy new year everyone

Okay thanks for reading my post
My heater core went out on my 2021 Dodge ram big horn there
are NO HIDDEN BOLTS UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL BRACKET
It's a total different setup you have to remove the dash pad includes all electric hardware on the dash itself 7mm bolts are holding the dash pad everything once you have removed the the dash pad fasteners and disconnecting electric plastic clips the black trim under wiper blades remove the black clips in fromt left up on the black trim your going to see a 10mm bolt head they're is one under the other wiper arm as well remove them and the frame will be lose i was on YouTube for hours trying to find it you can't time 4 days took my time The first picture what your truck like once your done the second picture is the dash pad and electric hardware and trim the third picture is the 10mm bolt head are located under the black trim again Happy new year thanks for reading sorry about the grammar

Holy smokes, that’s definitely an example of how not to go about changing out the heater core.
Normally, you drop the steering column, unbolt the dash, disconnect the main connectors, and remove the whole dash. It’s really much simpler to do than people make it sound, and definitely much simpler than how you did it.

 

[NCRaineman]

Replaced Heater core on wife's 1990 Chevy Lumina with V6 transverse mounted motor: Besides taking dash apart, HAD to crack both motor mounts, pull pins/bolts and use come a long to pull motor like 8 inches forward to get the pipes disconnected from hoses/and mount bracket on firewall. 'SWORE" I would NEVA do that type of work again, boy did that suk and was it a MAJOR PITA.

Having worked on a couple of FWD V6 cars in the past I can comfortably say I will NEVER own another one. Whomever thought of the transverse mounted V engine should be shot. Thankfully the V6 FWD car is just about a thing of the past now with many manufacturers going to turbo fours.

 

[turkeybird56]

Having worked on a couple of FWD V6 cars in the past I can comfortably say I will NEVER own another one. Whomever thought of the transverse mounted V engine should be shot. Thankfully the V6 FWD car is just about a thing of the past now with many manufacturers going to turbo fours.

That old Lumina ran like a champ. Just sucked if You had to work on em say like water pump OMG dat sucked too

 

[MO RAM FAN]

Can you tell that all cars and trucks are built for ease of assembly, not ease of repair?????

 

[dsherman26]

Oh man! What happened to the heater core? Leaked or clogged?

 

[Gary Fields]

While you have the dash taken apart you should replace the A/C evaporator. It also requires dash disassembly. Best to do it now before you have to disassemble twice.

 

[Coosawjack]

GLAD too see your BFH in the passenger seat.....WHAT A HORRIBLE JOB!!

 

[Art91B]

Holy smokes, that’s definitely an example of how not to go about changing out the heater core.
Normally, you drop the steering column, unbolt the dash, disconnect the main connectors, and remove the whole dash. It’s really much simpler to do than people make it sound, and definitely much simpler than how you did it.

You read my post correct LOLOLOL

 

[Marshall]

I heard of someone that used a cutting torch on his ford, Quite possible seeing some of old beaters he drove that get that way fast ( Rancher you know), wild range critters don't herd with a damn with trucks.

My brother use to drive fords, till he shot it while deer hunting a few yrs back.
Hint , don't use the hood for a rest when you have a big scope mounted, you can't see the hood , mirror, a frame, etc.

I must admit that the last dash I did was a 1975 IHC, so a total of 5 or 6 wires and a few screws, maybe 20 minutes?