How to replace the heater core in an 02 ford ranger?
 

Does anyone know if the dash has to come out, or if the 2002 has the removable instrument panel behind the glove compartment? i haven't had time to look or stop and get a Chilton book.

Doesn't have to come out.

You first need to remove the instrument panel. After you remove that then you need to remove the Plenum Assembly. Drain the coolant from the system then disconnect and plug the hoses going to the heater core.

This is not an easy task and should not be attempted unless you are very skilled and very familar with working on vehicles. This is typically an 8+ hour job for a mechanic/technician and involves your air bag system.

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1995 and later models are done in this order, disconnect the negative battery cable, remove the instrument panel, remove the evaporator core housing, drain the radiator, disconnect the heater hoses, remove the nuts and the plenum chamber, remove the screws and remove the heater core cover, remove the heater core. Installation is reverse of removal. Sounds easy but it can be a lot of work but it is a lot easy than pulling your entire dash. Don't forget to reservice your radiator fluid and havew your air conditioner reservice. You'll save a lot of money following these procedures. Good Luck!

Would the same process apply to my 2003 Ranger?

yes same for your 03

Thanks. I put some bars leak in the radiator and it sealed it for now. If it holds until spring when the weather is warmer I will change it out then.

Re: How to replace the heater core in an 02 ford ranger?
 

hi i am a lucky man who is heater core start leaking from my 2007 ranger today. i'm going to have a lot of fun to fix it. i am a little bit discourage because my ranger has only 93648 km. and it seem to be frequent. i own a couple of car and some over 300000 km and i never toutch to a heater core. well i'm having a long and good underdash day tomorow thanks for your advice thanks!!!!!!!

Re: How to replace the heater core in an 02 ford ranger?
 

I have a 2003 Ranger. I followed the directions to drop the steering column and pulled out the dash to replace the heater core. The directions say to remove the 5 screws that connect the duct to the housing. I can't seem to find the right scews so i can take out the housing to get to the heater core. Can anyone tell me where they are?

Re: How to replace the heater core in an 02 ford ranger?
 

Hi chuck, i'm not shure what you say (i'm french canadian)but what i understand from your question is maybe the screw behind the "defrost deflector" on my 2007 over the dash in the bottom of the windshield, where the defrost air go out, you have a piece of plastic that is function is to keep the air going thru the windshield, it's about 3 inches wide and almost long as the dash. you take out this piece by prying with a little screw driver and then you will see the fu... bolts. it's like this on a 2007. sorry for the spelling mistake, hope you understand, have a good day :)

Re: How to replace the heater core in an 02 ford ranger?
 

hey so im in the middle of replacing my heater core... ive manages to dismantle half of my dash board but im scared of messing under the steering wheel... does anyone have the instructions to removing the dash board off the 02 b3000...?