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New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best #2325839
06/23/17 06:02 PM
06/23/17 06:02 PM
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65pacecar Offline OP
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Who (if anyone is different) make the best quality heater and evaporators for the 2001 Dodge Ram. My Evap. sprung a leak and while I am in there I am changing both and its not a job I want to do twice. Does anyone make a better quality unit for each, or at least a brand to avoid at all cost?

Thanks.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2325842
06/23/17 06:17 PM
06/23/17 06:17 PM
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Cotati, CA
Dave Hall Offline
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How long did the original last? Mopar parts would be my choice.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: Dave Hall] #2326141
06/24/17 04:06 PM
06/24/17 04:06 PM
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It's a dry heat
gtx6970 Offline
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It's a dry heat
Originally Posted By Dave Hall
How long did the original last? Mopar parts would be my choice.


Same here. Ive had good luck with Mopars value line.

Ive done a BUNCH of evap cores and only a few heater cores and haven't had a single one come back to haunt me yet ( knocks on wood )

Getting it apart and back together without cracking the dash is the tough part. IF its not already cracked. If it is,,,chances are pretty good its only going to get worst during the job (been there done that )
Sad part is the dash is ( or at least it was last year ) still avail thru Mopar. But at almost $500 ,,,Ive not yet been able to sell one.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326151
06/24/17 05:00 PM
06/24/17 05:00 PM
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J_BODY Offline
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...and if you let your dash go really bad, soon the plastic substructure will crack and break leaving you with nothing to attach anything too.

http://www.lmctruck.com/features/de/DEDP1.htm

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326162
06/24/17 05:34 PM
06/24/17 05:34 PM
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Niles , Ohio
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therocks Offline
oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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oh wait.but hey.lets see.oh yeah.
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At the shop we used a lot of NAPA cores.Never had any problems.We did offer a 24 month or 24000 mile warranty which ever came last.many were pretty long.Had one guy that went like 140K before he hit 24 months.Rocky


Chrysler Firepower
Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326253
06/24/17 11:44 PM
06/24/17 11:44 PM
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135sohc Offline
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What is the country of origin for the OEM parts ? More and more garbage from chrysler comes in saying 'made in china' on the label. It is no better than the garbage from the parts store.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326260
06/25/17 12:10 AM
06/25/17 12:10 AM
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I had mine replaced on my 01 Ram under warranty, just before 3 year/36k ran out. I'd bet the new one didn't make 3 years either. One of these days I'll get around to doing what you're doing, and along with I'll replace the plastic dash with an aftermarket one. Mine cracked into 2 dozen pieces and is held together with Plastic specific epoxy. I'd do yours if you plan to keep it. Based on my experience with the dealer I'll be steering clear from factory parts.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326337
06/25/17 10:10 AM
06/25/17 10:10 AM
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65pacecar Offline OP
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Thanks for the feedback, dash pad is nice now but I expect it to break when I move it. While Im in there what else should I do, replace blower motor etc? Mixig doors and everything seem to be fine, truck is low mileage mainly garage kept.

Last edited by 65pacecar; 06/25/17 10:11 AM.
Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326390
06/25/17 12:49 PM
06/25/17 12:49 PM
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J_BODY Offline
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blower motor is easily accessible in the truck... I wouldn't worry about that. On the blend door there is a plastic adapter between the actuator and the door that likes to crack and then the door won't work properly, again, accessible in the truck, but something to look at (easier) while it's out. I recently changed my blend door actuator (underside of hvac box near trans tunnel on pass side) and it helped the truck cool. Old one was worn and wasn't able to overcome the airflow with the blower on high. To achieve full cold I'd have to turn the blower to low, let the door get into position, and then I could ramp the air speed back up.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326392
06/25/17 12:54 PM
06/25/17 12:54 PM
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...and what parts are best? wish I knew what to tell you. Seems they've all gone the cheap route. I usually only do Mopar parts since I work at a dealer. That way there is some recourse for warranty with labor covered if there's a problem (of course this is having the parts installed at the dealer, not over the counter sale). Pulling a dash is a time consuming ordeal. I will note when swapping out the plastic dash pieces, put two bars (long pry bars/whatever) in the cross tube for the dash and support it on two saw horses. Makes it nice to roll the unit a little while removing screws.

Last edited by J_BODY; 06/25/17 12:55 PM.
Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326393
06/25/17 12:58 PM
06/25/17 12:58 PM
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now I'm rambling.... pull the seat bolts out and slide the front seat back as far as you can. Remove the steering column as an assy. Makes life easier. things like the radio, cluster, hvac controls stay with the assy. Comes out as a whole unit. Have two people for sure.... the inexperienced will always find a wiring connector or two they didn't unhook when pulling smile

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326417
06/25/17 01:36 PM
06/25/17 01:36 PM
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65pacecar Offline OP
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Thanks for all the tips.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326799
06/26/17 09:12 AM
06/26/17 09:12 AM
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cdstl Offline
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I replaced the dash and bezel with parts from LMC. Cheaper dash caps are ok but don't have screw holes for the defrost ducts.

Blend door actuator -- https://heatertreater.net/dodge-ram-95-02/

Heater core, copper and brass -- https://www.genosgarage.com/product/heater-core-4720008/air-conditioning

Evaporator -- NAPA

I didn't do the dryer/accumulator that's next to the PCM, but I wish I hhad. About $40.

Split your heater box open. I guarantee that there is a bunch of tree debris or other crap laying in there where the vent feeds air into the box. Can make for a nice stink in the cabin when it gets damp.

Unbolt the column and lay it on Driver seat. You can get to the bolts that secure the top of the dash to the frame from above. Remove kick panels and loosen the 2 bolts under them and the dash will tilt back.

Remove the PS kick panel bolt and use a strap to suspend the PS of the dash from the handle on the A pillar. The dash will probably come out in pieces. It's pretty easy to reinstall this way except for screwing the defrost ducts back to the dash. A real beech if you have big hands.


1972 Cuda 340 4 speed, 2001 Ram CTD 4x4 6 speed, 1970 Duster 408 4 speed, 1996 Ram 5.9 2x4 auto, 1965 Coronet 500
Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2326815
06/26/17 09:56 AM
06/26/17 09:56 AM
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SIX225 Offline
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Did the one on my Durango years ago. Evaporator sat in the box on a piece of foam which I suspect caused the pin holes in what looked like uncoated aluminum. I spray painted it to try an help protect it. Replace the blower motor and resistor too if you can't get to them when everything is together.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: SIX225] #2327015
06/26/17 04:15 PM
06/26/17 04:15 PM
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Yup it's really easy to jump up and flap your gums anytime someone mentions a part and say "made in China crap". There are a lot of smaller supplier plants out there in Middle America turning out things that go into the cars, things that turn into dealer parts.

When you say dealer parts are the same as all the others you are essentially saying buy by price and you know how that goes, straight overseas. So when you say the OEM parts are the same you are crapping on your brother. Makes you proud, does it?

Looking in Rockauto the A/C evaporater is available from quite a few places for around $50, and the Mopar factory part is $280.

In terms of quality, Four Seasons seems to be the standard replacement part for A/C systems. For the heater coil three or four manufacturers are listed, Spectra Premium makes some good stuff, in Canada.

OSC sounds pretty good but who are they and why do they deserve my money? I have yet to find out.

R.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: dogdays] #2327214
06/26/17 10:49 PM
06/26/17 10:49 PM
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135sohc Offline
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Originally Posted By dogdays
Yup it's really easy to jump up and flap your gums anytime someone mentions a part and say "made in China crap". There are a lot of smaller supplier plants out there in Middle America turning out things that go into the cars, things that turn into dealer parts.

When you say dealer parts are the same as all the others you are essentially saying buy by price and you know how that goes, straight overseas. So when you say the OEM parts are the same you are crapping on your brother. Makes you proud, does it?

Looking in Rockauto the A/C evaporater is available from quite a few places for around $50, and the Mopar factory part is $280.

In terms of quality, Four Seasons seems to be the standard replacement part for A/C systems. For the heater coil three or four manufacturers are listed, Spectra Premium makes some good stuff, in Canada.

OSC sounds pretty good but who are they and why do they deserve my money? I have yet to find out.

R.


In 2014 I replaced the Evaporator in my 2002 (DR body style) 1500. The replacement MOPAR evaporator core (NOT THE 'VALUE LINE' version) was MADE IN CHINA, no BS right on the box it said 'MADE IN CHINA' since the part was purchased through a dealership selling on ebay I contacted them with my concerns and why pay 6x the price over the middle priced aftermarket for the same thing. They graciously agreed and even covered the return shipping. I ended up purchasing a 4 seasons Evap core for $60, it was made in Taiwan and miles ahead of the replacement chrysler part in every respect.

How is refusing to bend over and take one from chrysler hurting a job here when the chrysler part is made overseas and not supporting a job here ?

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: 65pacecar] #2327249
06/26/17 11:28 PM
06/26/17 11:28 PM
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true that.... working at a dealer most of the parts I see are China. Probably worse since the Fiat deal.

Re: New Heater Core and Evaporator for 2001 Ram, who is best [Re: J_BODY] #2327975
06/28/17 11:02 AM
06/28/17 11:02 AM
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Originally Posted By J_BODY
.... the inexperienced will always find a wiring connector or two they didn't unhook when pulling smile

HAHAHAHAHA ! haha i got way over 50yrs. playing with this stuff and i STILL miss connections and bolts ! me thinks i'm just letting the "oldtimers" take over !
beer







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