So I may be looking to replace my heater core in the near future. I had the genius (or incredibly stupid) idea of looking up to see if anyone has attempted to cut the area around the two tubes in a rectangle shape, and work the heater core out that way. I haven't seen anyone do this, or mention it from a search, so I'd like to see if anyone will run across this and say they have tried and failed, or successfully did this.

The plan would be to:
cut the rectangle
probably cut the rectangle a bit bigger...
wiggle the heater core out
try to line up the new heater core
take the removed metal and weld on 4 small tabs that will allow me to use some self tapping screws on the firewall itself
use a high temp silicone or caulk to fill the small void around it.

I do NOT have anything AC related in the jeep except the evaporator.

So is this a very bad idea, or does it seem like it would work?

 

After you cut firewall then theres the hvac box to contend with you know .

 

Sounds like one of the worst ideas I've heard of in a good while.

I think the end result will be that you'll scrap the Jeep after you give up trying to make it airtight and functional again.

You'll spend quite a bit of time on that before you give up, of course. Maybe dump more money into it first.

One more Cherokee for a parts car!

 

You would have to completely butcher the firewall to get it out. EXTREMELY bad idea.

 

Man, talk about going around the block to get next door, LOL

 

That made me chuckle. It is a very bad idea.

Why not pull it out the correct way? It really isn't that difficult. And you can remove the evaporator at the same time.

 

Well there goes that idea haha. I didn't realize it was inside of a plastic hvac box like that, thanks for the pic. Guess the dash will just have to come out this winter or next spring. So much for my 30 minute trap door fix lol.

 

Cut a bigger hole....

 

30 minute fix?

Oh, well, if that's what you were trying to do, there's a quicker way to get the same results.

 

Now somebody has to try it, go for it dude!

 

I'll bring the beer

 

It better be some good beer! And we can try it on my neighbors XJ first haha. It just sits there. Damn that HVAC box!

 

It really isn't that bad of a project. It may seem a bit overwhelming but it's do able. Tip: you do not have to remove the steering wheel or column completely. Just have to remove two nuts and let the steering wheel rest on the drivers seat.