I need to replace the heater core on my 2000 Mazda B3000 4x4. Is there an easier way than taking out the dash board? If not does any one have a tread with details picture to make this easier?

Thanks!

I'm having the same problem with my Ranger. Everything I've heard so far is that you do have to take the dash out. The guy that I talked to said that it will take about six to eight hours to do the job. I wish there was an easier way, but I don't think there is.

Does anyone have any experience taking the dash out of their Ranger? Any advice we can get will help tremendously!

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

Chilton manual says same thing removing the dash

I know to get it out fully u must remove the steering wheel

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If you are sketchy on doing a huge project like that, bring it in. Might cost some green, but at least you know it was done right and if not, you have workmanship warranty!

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An eye for an eye and a tooth for a MFin tooth!!

Here are some pictures






When you get all the inner plenum bolts off it practically falls off the firewall.

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Wow... that looks really involved. I think I'm going to go ahead and give it a shot. Are there any special tools that I'm going to need?

While I'm in there, is there anything else that I should look at just to save me from having to do this all over again for something else?

Oh, BTW, I'll try to get some pics along the way to show everyone on the forum exactly how to do this.

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

Just have to have a steering wheel puller

And various torx bits for some random bolts

And good luck hope all goes well I read on some other sites for cars it was a 8-10 hour job

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Just an update: I managed to get the old core out and the new core in. Turns out you dont actually have to pull the steering wheel out to get the dash away from the firewall and plenum. I just took the bolts off the entire steering column and dropped it (wheel and all) down a bit. Then I was able, with a little wiggling and holding my mouth the right way, to get the dash far enough back.

In all honesty, if I have this problem again in the future, I will pay a shop to do this for me.
But if anyone has any questions about this, then I will be happy to help as all this is still fresh on my mind.

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

By the Way STL, those pics really helped!

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

Good to hear that you were able to getterdone!!!

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An eye for an eye and a tooth for a MFin tooth!!

I guess dropping the steering wheel column would be a lot easier than removing the steering wheel

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Yeah, it ended up working out pretty well, and everything went back together a lot faster than it came apart. At least now I know that if the time comes, I can do this.

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

hi cspeir how many bits u got left over ????? haha

I'm VERY happy to say zero. That was the thing that I was most afraid of. Luckily I had a big enough work space that I was able to lay the parts out in the order that they came out. I kept all the screws, nuts, and bolts under or next to them. I don't think I even want to look at another tool for at least a week.

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2000 3.0L Flex Trail Head 4X2

what not one screw over go on send us a pic of the one u got left haha at least u saved your self some dollers