My uncle is currently replacing/fixing my heater core in my XJ. The steering wheel and dash need to be removed to access it, is there any way this can be made easier or sped up? He said it would take him about 2 days because he wants to take his time and make sure it's done right

 

You dont have to remove the steering wheel, just drop it and move it to the side. Also, removing the 2 front seats will make the job alot easier. You might as well replace the AC evaporator while your in there also. If you or him have any questions post up, I just did the heater core in mine.

 

Thanks, I don't think he started it yet but I will mention the A/C evaporator. How much do they run for because we're kinda tight on money?

 

I just did the heater core on my 98 and you do need to remove the steering wheel. I know on the older ones you can just drop it down but its completely surrounded by dash board. I just pulled the whole column out instead of just removing the wheel.

 

I just dropped the steering wheel on my '98, sure its a tight fit but I managed to get the box in and out by myself. Im sure it would have gone smoother with it out, I just didnt know what kind of job it was.

The AC evaporator is around $120 or so.

 

Yea, that's a bit overpriced. If I need that replaced I'll pull one off a junkyard jeep. I'm getting the heater core for $68. I see it as if anything is over $100, unless it's something that is severely in need, don't buy it. Besides my A/C is ice cold, no lie. It actually gets a little too cold for me sometimes. So I don't think I would need a new evap.

 

I get what your saying. I pulled my dash completely out when I did mine, I ended up doing it twice actually because the first heater core I got from the store leaked. Definitely wasn't happy.

 

if that happened, or happens in my case, to me I would bit** and complain until I got a new one for free.

 

yeah with the a/c evaporator i wouldnt worry about it unless its giving you problems. unless your uncle can properly recharge the a/c, including pulling a vacuum on the system.

 

He could probably do it, if I really wanted him to and I had the money he could completely rebuild the jeep inside and out and repaint it too. He's had an old 1950 some Chrysler business coupe that he really wants to redo but he doesn't have the time or money to do so.