97 Wrangler TJ Dash Removal (Heater Core replacement)

[@happytimecyanide9884]

Ive been wanting to flock my dashboard for a long time, and my biggest fear was the process of pulling the dashboard. This video showed me that its nothing to be scared of.

[@ForceBuilt]

That's right Happytime. Thanks for watching!

[@bneoj]

Did this this weekend. Nice to have heat again. Thanks

[@ForceBuilt]

You have been busy Joseph! Glad you got it done and found my videos helpful! Thanks

[@bartgoins1782]

I just bought a 99 TJ Sahara that is a major project. It looks like I'm going to have to swap tubs, RF fender, and possibly passenger door. The main thing is, it had "great bones." I'll be counting on you and other KZbinrs to help me through this project. Great video. Thanks.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Bart and good luck! Any questions are welcome and I will help out any way I can.

[@ForceBuilt]

I had to remove the music for a bogus copyright claim... Sorry for the parts of the video without sound.

[@superjavi9313]

I've had my tj for 8 yrs and no AC here in AZ because of a busted AC evaporator core. Ive never got it fixed because I've always tought that it would be a nightmare to remove the dashboard. Thanks a lot. 👍

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for watching Super Javi! Glad to help!

[@mercman2.5]

I have repainted my putrid mustard interior black satin also, however I use adhesion promoter on all plastic and vinyl, works great, gotta do my HC and Evap tomorrow, thanks for your great video.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Rick! Yeah, adhesion promoter is good stuff. I have use it a lot in the past.

[@mercman2.5]

Got my HC and Evap done all back together. Need to find engineer on this and kick him in the Nuts

[@ForceBuilt]

@@mercman2.5 HAHA Rick, I know right!

[@nachovalenti]

One more step,one less thing to do. Looks really good and you did a great job. See you next week.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks again Nacho! You been with me a while now! Thanks for the support!

[@larrynoname9340]

Just used this video to remove my dash to replace all my mouse chewed through heater / ac control vacuum hose assembly - thank you for making this available

[@ForceBuilt]

Thank you for watching it and making it useful! Means a lot when people take time to leave a positive comment!

[@motodora7619]

my heater core has been bypassed for some time now on my TJ, after watching this, I feel a little better about tackling it. Def enjoying your content. getting ideas on how to tackle my jeep

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks for the compliment! Yeah, I would for sure do it again! A little time consuming but no way I would pay someone what it cost to do it. Thanks Again!

[@robertmcdonald1786]

Thank you for taking the time to make this video and helping others.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thank you Robert!

[@GALTwarrior]

Great vid! This was the video that came across that introduced me to your channel... I'm really glad it did! My 03 TJ has a bad core as well, and I found your vid very helpful... and especially so, since I know now that I do not have to totally remove the steering column and dash! Your channel has inspired me to clean up my own TJ in the next few months (now that I got my garage cleaned out!)

[@ForceBuilt]

Good Deal! Glad you found my channel also!

[@jamesglidden567]

Your'e the man! Just replaced my heater core and a/c evaporator using this video in my 98 TJ! As of this moment there are no more leaks in my TJ!

[@ForceBuilt]

That's great James! Glad I was able to help!

[@dcase9779]

You’re doing great man. Totally stealing the leaf blower trick.

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah, Worked out really good! Thanks For commenting!

[@cocabbae1868]

You're amazing. I am encouraged to do it by myself through your video!!

[@ForceBuilt]

Wow Cocab! That is so nice of you to say! Brightens my day! Thanks!

[@coachbiggsremedy9634]

Man, I got 3 TJs that need this lol Great Video Thank you

[@ForceBuilt]

3 TJ's! Wow, that is nice. Mine was so bad that it has keep me busy for a couple of years and now all is well. Hope yours are in better shape than mine was in the beginning.

[@xfer43]

This was so invaluable to me! Thank you

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Mel! Glad to help!

[@lylekliewer4787]

Your dash looks great! Thanks for the video.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks!

[@amorag59]

Me when I first opened the vid: I guess I'm not running my heater this winter lol! Then I realized if I'm doing a motor swap, this can't be much worse! I think mine is leaking and I don't want to introduce corrosion into the new system. Looks like your new one was all aluminum, hope to find one w/o copper if possible.

[@ForceBuilt]

Not really a bad job. If you are doing a motor swap, this is a piece of cake! Thanks for watching!

[@waden404]

Awesome. Thank u for this!!

[@ForceBuilt]

You are very welcome!

[@brandonbeery2484]

Sir do yourself a favor and check out duplicolor fabric and vinyl spray. You will love it. Way easier than paint and I've used it with 0 cleaning and it's been on for years now with no issues. Great video though thank you for helping me figure out how to change my heater core.

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks Brandon. I have used it and it is very similar to what I showed in the video. The Sims is very high quality and going strong. Thanks for watching

[@SuperCamacho81]

Hello I have a 02 tj with a 4.0 and I have a freon leak. I had dye refrigerant installed and still can't find the leak. I've heard the leak can be in the cabin. I would need to remove the dash board. You made it look easy to remove all that! lol

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah SuperCamacho81, It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Thanks for watching!!

[@SuperCamacho81]

@@ForceBuilt you think it can be the heater core or the evaporation core??

[@ForceBuilt]

@@SuperCamacho81 If the heater core is leaking, you will have antifreeze on the floor on the passengers side. That has nothing to do with the freon leaking out. Thanks.

[@SuperCamacho81]

FuturaForce no I do not have an antifreeze leak. How about a bad evaporator core ??

[@Bearairboatrides]

@@SuperCamacho81 Mine is leaking. My nephew is a mechanic and diagnosed it for me. I'm gonna follow these instructions and do it myself. I found the part on Rockauto for like $34 dollars. I may even just change the heater core at the same time.

[@theslownorris7277]

Hey Force Built, great video. I was wondering if the box could be pulled with totally removing the dash (and steering wheel/column). Your video answered that question well! Here's one more for you... I just need to replace the heater core, my AC if just fine. Is it possible, with enough patience, and maybe a few choice curse words, to just get the top off the box while it is in cab? (Saving one from having to drain and refill refrigerant) Jeep in my DD so I can take plenty of time.

[@ForceBuilt]

I honestly don't see a way without removing it totally. Sorry. Tha is for watching!

[@BerniesBastelBude]

well done! - I wouldn't dare to do anything related to air-bags... Had one accident where is shot into my face - not a very pleasant experience though!

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah Bernie, I am always a little nervous when rolling the key over for the first time after installing the airbags lol. No accident yet. I have to make sure when plugging them in that the battery is disconnected. An arch is the best way to set on off accidentally! Thanks for watching!

[@mterezakis]

Nice video! At 13:15 till 13:19 the main strong handle set in front of the dash board is missing like a miracle! How you did it, please? How can i do it without removing all the dash board like you did? Thank you!

[@ForceBuilt]

My airbag was missing at this time and comes apart differently that one that has an airbag installed. Sorry, I know this wasn't any help and not the info you were looking for. It can be done but the space is tight.

[@austinwagner562]

Did you paint the majority of the dash still in the cab? It looks great. I'm in the process of refinishing mine as well and unsure if i should go ahead and take it all the way out.

[@ForceBuilt]

No, I took it out. You can take the plastic off the dash and leave the frame in the cab. The only piece that will be aggravating will be the airbag but it's doable. You could easily just paint it inside the cab to paint that single piece. Thanks for watching

[@aditparikh781]

Very helpful, I appreciate it

[@ForceBuilt]

Your very welcome!

[@barryh5463]

I just bought a 2002 TJ and the whole dash needs to be repainted. Most of the panels look easy to remove except for the airbag cover. Is the airbag cover easily removed too? By the way… Im down here in Wiggins, MS (just douth of Hattiesburg)

[@ForceBuilt]

The airbag is the issue. My airbag was blown so it wasn't a problem for me. I did put an airbag back in. You can actually leave the cover on and tape off around it because, with the dash plastic off, the airbag cover is wide open. That is probably what I would do. Thanks for watching!

[@michaelthomson5101]

Sweet! I've got a 2K TJ I need to replace the core on. looks pretty easy. how long did that take you?

[@ForceBuilt]

Just a few hours. I think I could do the complete job in 3 or 4 hrs.

[@ciuciahay9214]

Great job! You geta new windshield recently? No more creepin decal? That was cool. I loved it. Noticed no rear view mirror either witch made me think you got a new shield.

[@ForceBuilt]

No, same windshield. I have to get a rear view mirror. The decal was in bad shape. It also reminded me of whoever had it before me and those are bad memories for JJ. I want the person who had it before me to park beside me one day and think "That's a nice Jeep!", not even knowing it used to be their Jeep! Thanks!

[@oldguy5458]

Good video,,,How many hours did it take to replace the heater core,,,Thanks for showing,,,Best Regards

[@ForceBuilt]

About 4 hrs. I could possibly do it faster if I had to do it again. Thanks!

[@jimzora5994]

Nice

[@ForceBuilt]

Thanks!

[@dylanronayne7352]

How many coats did you put on the air bag cover? Also is that pad like a steel wool pad? Or could you use a fine grit sandpaper?

[@ForceBuilt]

It is like a scotch brite pad except for body shops. Fine grit sandpaper will work too. I put about 3 coats on with the first coat pretty light. Hope this helps!

[@krusherkid]

I'm looking to put ac in my TJ that never had it. Do you think the dash can be reassembled without the heater box in place temporarily while waiting for parts?

[@ForceBuilt]

Yes it can. The heater box is separate from the dash. Good luck!

[@krusherkid]

@@ForceBuilt awesome, thanks.

[@georgestewart4285]

are those seat covers? if not, what seats did you purchase?

[@ForceBuilt]

Yes they are Rough Country seat covers. I really like them!

[@bobdavis438]

Force Built, I have an antifreeze leak on passenger side floorboards. I assume it is the heater core. Do I need to do anything regarding the evaporator?

[@ForceBuilt]

It will have to be disconnected to get the heater box out.

[@bobdavis438]

@@ForceBuilt Thanks for quick response. That sounds fine. I saw the link to the part under the video and wasn't sure if that needed to be tested for leaks and/or replaced.

[@ForceBuilt]

@@bobdavis438 if your air conditioner is working no need to change your evaporator. That being said, they don't cost a lot. If it looks like it has been leaking when you get everything apart, replace it. I bet it's fine though. Good luck!

[@steveerdy4752]

How long did it take? I have a 97 TJ that needs the evaporator replaced and gonna do the heater core while I’m at it

[@ForceBuilt]

Took me about 4 hrs I would say. Mine didn't have ac but did have the evaporator(previous owners lots of random things). So I didn't have to deal with the ac stuff. Good luck Steve!

[@steveerdy4752]

@@ForceBuilt Thank you

[@therooster1845]

Do I need any special tools for the hard lines in the heater core I noticed yours are snipped off in the video I assume they are replaced with the new but how do they clip back in?

[@ForceBuilt]

The ones snipped off are the ones for the ac. Yes for those you need a special tool. My heater core lines were just regular hose clamps.

[@therooster1845]

@@ForceBuilt Is it easier to just replace them or do you just not care about a.c.

[@ForceBuilt]

The previous owner cut my ac lines. Where they cut them is on the line side with the connectors still connected. I just removed the cut part of the lines when I installed my new ac system.

[@ForceBuilt]

I have an ac install video that shows how to remove them. Hope this helps

[@ForceBuilt]

@@therooster1845 kzbin.info/www/bejne/fITFoYyLlMibgtk

[@peterryerse5827]

Is there a petcock that allows you to drain just the heater core?

[@ForceBuilt]

No. The hoses on the firewall are the only way. You can disconnect those hoses and tie them up. I didn't drain my radiator. Just the heater core.

[@peterryerse5827]

@@ForceBuilt thanks for the immediate response!. I purchased a 97 Wrangler that had sat for a bit and when I run the blower I get a wood smoke smell (think some rodent made a home) anyway I'm going to dog into it. Thanks for time and effort documenting your experience.

[@markblandford9346]

A southern guy, like you, ought to be playing some Marshall Tucker, or Allman Bros for music instead of that techno pop stuff!

[@ForceBuilt]

Well I would get copy right strikes against my videos. There's not a lot of choices of no copyright music. KZbin will notify you in a heartbeat and remove all sound from your video if you use copyrighted music. It has happened to me before lol. Excellent suggestions by the way! Great Classics!

[@Jeeptalkshow]

I've read some horror stories about the aluminum replacement heater cores. How is yours holding up?

[@ForceBuilt]

Only one year so far. Doing perfectly! No problems at all! Thanks Jeep Talk Show!

[@nissan300ztt]

About how long did it take to remove the dash. I need to replace my heater core soon.

[@ForceBuilt]

About 2 hrs or a little less. Thanks

[@mauricio5763]

My 97 tj 4cyl only blows air on the highest setting. And only from the dash vents. Is this a bad heater core? I need help, thanks.

[@ForceBuilt]

Most likely it is a bad resistor. High is full voltage and the resistor restricts the voltage to slow the fan motor. That is why it isn't working on anything but high. If your vent selector switch isn't moving the dash vents, you also most likely have a vacuum leak somewhere in the ac control system. There is a vacuum line under the hood at the firewall near the battery that is common to get cracked. Hope this helps. P.S. The problems you mentioned have nothing to do with the heater core.

[@mauricio5763]

So after spending some time searching I noticed that a vent door lever underneath the driver dash is broken. And on the passenger side underneath the connector to the resistor is burnt. The connected and a couple wires are melted. Any ideas what’s causes this to happen? Thanks.

[@ForceBuilt]

@@mauricio5763 Yes, this same thing was going on with mine. The melted wires on mine was from a worn out blower motor. I has too much resistance and everything gets hot and melty. Rock auto has all the parts for pretty cheap. I replaced the resistor and the blower motor(actually bout the resistor plug with wires too) put it all in and no more troubles. Hope this helps! Steve B

[@mauricio5763]

Thank you Steve. I appreciate your help. I will order the parts and update when they arrive.

[@josephhayghe9244]

Is there a certain way to unhook the heater core pipes from the engine pipes? That I’d where I am stuck.

[@ForceBuilt]

Ok, if you have A/C, there will be 4 pipes going into the firewall. If no A/C then just heater core pipes. Should be rubber hoses clamped to the heater core pipes. If it has been a while they can been hardened and brittle. Making them hard to remove. If it is the A/C lines you need to remove, there is a tool that you will have to use to unclip them(all metal pipe connection).

[@josephhayghe9244]

Ok I’m glad I didn’t just yank it it. Thank you, I’ll hit up auto-zone and get the proper tool for it.

[@TheEdu0920]

Awesome vid, just a quick question when your doing this job do you need to drain the whole coolant out or no? Thanks

[@ForceBuilt]

No. Just what's in the heater core. Thanks!

[@CharlesMcCoy-p2g]

I thought you were going to replace it with a newer heater core like say a 2006 jeep TJ

[@ForceBuilt]

Really? Did I say something to make you think that? Is that possible and is there a benefit to doing that? Just wondering. Thanks for watching!

[@edmeetze6324]

👍🏻

[@jasonbarnes2636]

I thought you can remove the whole thing without removing every parts like radio, dash, etc. 🤔

[@ForceBuilt]

Not on mine. If the radio wires were long enough, you could leave that in(Mine were not). There was no other way I could do it on mine. I honestly don't see how it can be done any other way. Luckily the dash isn't that hard to remove in the Jeep TJ. Thanks!

[@ForceBuilt]

Links: (Heater Core)amzn.to/3LatzJY (Evaporatoramzn.to/37HVanX (Paint) amzn.to/3NxIv9y (Handy Tool) amzn.to/3NACdq0 (Camera I Use)amzn.to/44qK3s0 I am a member of Amazon associates. Clicking the links help me

[@bartgoins1782]

Just an FYI, the "Paint, Handy Tool, and Camera I Use" links didn't work for me.

[@ForceBuilt]

@@bartgoins1782 Thanks for the heads up. I updated the links!

[@ToniiTreeService]

of course THE BIG DEAL HERE is airbag removal!!! and you got no airbags so🤷🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ForceBuilt]

Yeah, sorry this video didn't help. The previous owners messed all sorts of things up. Thanks for commenting and maybe you can find one of my other vids useful at another time.

[@ianoliveira4751]

You should never do that from behind the wheel,, reach in an rock the key on...!, You don't need to start it for this part of the procedure, a defective module would have F'ed your day up...rare but can happen

[@ForceBuilt]

Do what exactly???

[@ianoliveira4751]

After assembly new bags on etc. Reach from out side under column to turn key to on position, clear from the path of a set of fresh air bags, if the deployment control circuit in the ECU, is shorted that bag could go off in your face...

[@ForceBuilt]

@@ianoliveira4751 for some reason I missed part of your first comment. That is why I didn't know what you meant. Yes, I agree totally. I had already installed the steering wheel earlier and did exactly what you recommended. I didn't think of doing it after the dash airbag though. Yes, that would be a bad day lol. Thanks for watching

[@ianoliveira4751]

I've personally never had it happen but, aid on side of caution, then I'll clear the codes...