Heater core replacement D1/95 RRC Softdash

Flyfish

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Oct 29, 2004
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I’m replacing the heater core in my 95 rrc softdash (which is the same as a D1) while I have my dash out. I have not removed the hvac assembly and looking for any suggestions.

Specifically, after removing the clamps at the core, the two hard lines going into the core seem very fixed in place and don’t move so I can just pull them out of the core to slide it out. I assume they are attached to the firewall somehow but zero room to even see them behind the hvac assembly.

Does removing the blower assembly give enough access or is there another way?

Any suggestions would be appreciated!
 
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Hard lines are attached to climatyzer box and a screw holds them, but its head is from bottom to above. It was assembled prior to sit climatyzer over disco's body. To extract blower can help to gain space to drill this screw. You can them connect both pipes more confortly. Check them in order to find leaks too.

Regards
 

Flyfish

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Appreciate it.

Yea, several hurdles later, I literally just got it removed. It’s time for a beer!!

If I don’t have anything nice to say, I’ll say nothing…….
 
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p m

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You didn't have to do almost any of that. On 95 RRC and D1s the heater core slides to the right out of the HVAC housing (IIRC - it's been about 15 years since I've done it).
 

terryjm1

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Jan 23, 2011
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You didn't have to do almost any of that. On 95 RRC and D1s the heater core slides to the right out of the HVAC housing (IIRC - it's been about 15 years since I've done it).
It would be incredibly appreciated if someone made a step by step post of this method.
 

Flyfish

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Oct 29, 2004
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You didn't have to do almost any of that. On 95 RRC and D1s the heater core slides to the right out of the HVAC housing (IIRC - it's been about 15 years since I've done it).
My dash was already out so it was the right time to do the core.

It‘s a bad day when your brake switch catches fire and rides the wires up to the main harness bundle directly above!

22A31B0D-F589-42B9-A484-E8AC9577067F.jpeg23DAB13C-BA2E-4E07-AD16-BF687667251C.jpeg
 

terryjm1

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Jan 23, 2011
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Two methods copied and pasted from another forum...

First:

“All you have to do is pull your center console out, pull your glove box and the bracket that bolts to the glove box on the bottom and the side bracket next to the heater core. Than you can pull the bottom of the dash out where the heater core is pull the floor vent up it have a bolt at the top you don't have to take out if you pull easy at the bottom and turn it up. Than undo the lines and slide the core out. This is the first time I have ever done this on a land rover. If you need any help just ask. i will take so pic to help if need. I steal have to put a new one in just don't have the money right now.”

There were no follow up photos posts.

Second:

“the way I have done this tasksome dozen times is a s follows, drop the steering wheel column after demoving the knee bolster, remove the left side bracket which holds the dash to the kickpannel, remove the lower center bracket at tunnel left side, go to the right side, remove glove box follow by removing the remaining two brackets matching oposite side....wiggle the whole dash out wards until it stops as if you intend to drope it on your lap (about 1/2 a foot to a foot).
take a bungee cord, goto the rigth side seat wrap the bungee around the head rest... pull up and out on the glove box opening to raise the dash 1/2 way p the right pilar, tie the bungee to the glove box opening...
at this time if you have power seats you can use the seat to recline and back position to gain a little room...
crawl under dash on passenger foot well area and access the heater box and you heater core..... total time to remove, replace, fill cooling system and test about 2 to 3 hrs...
mind you, my method is completely different from removing the whole dash assembly followed by removal and dissasembly of heater core as factory manual recomends...in 8 plus hrs.
off warranty and extended warranty dealer charges between 12 to 18 hrs.....”
 

p m

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It‘s a bad day when your brake switch catches fire and rides the wires up to the main harness bundle directly above!
That is a legit reason to tear things apart :)
“All you have to do is pull your center console out, pull your glove box and the bracket that bolts to the glove box on the bottom and the side bracket next to the heater core. Than you can pull the bottom of the dash out where the heater core is pull the floor vent up it have a bolt at the top you don't have to take out if you pull easy at the bottom and turn it up. Than undo the lines and slide the core out. This is the first time I have ever done this on a land rover. If you need any help just ask. i will take so pic to help if need. I steal have to put a new one in just don't have the money right now.”
This is what I remember, more or less.
 

Flyfish

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Oct 29, 2004
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That is a legit reason to tear things apart :)
Yea, once I saw flames through the space between the steering column and gauge bezel I slammed on the brakes in the middle of the road, reached under and smothered it with my hands until the flames were gone. Took a couple weeks to heal but I wasn’t gonna lose my truck!
 
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Flyfish

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Dude, if Land Rover issued Purple Hearts, you've earned one!
My immediate and only thought was all the critical electrical systems are right there, I have to put it out right now.

Interestingly, I couldn’t really feel all the burning and blisters until it was out and I stepped back from the truck to take a breath. Then it was like a switch got flipped and felt everything. Sucked, but I did what I had to do at the moment.
 

terryjm1

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Jan 23, 2011
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i have many times considered keeping a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat. This should push me to do it.
 
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Flyfish

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St. Louis
Did you have a trailer connected, when brake switch catched fire? Or it burned with usual brake current?
No. It started acting up the day before, taking a couple taps to let me out of park. So the next morning I was on my way to grab my spare out of the shop and that’s whe it happened.
 
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Flyfish

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Oct 29, 2004
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St. Louis
i have many times considered keeping a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat. This should push me to do it.
I actually keep one in the cargo area, but with all the electrics, i just went straight after the fire.

But to your point, I’m going to add one of those stick extinguishers to my seat base.
 
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Flyfish

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Oct 29, 2004
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St. Louis
i have many times considered keeping a fire extinguisher within reach of the driver’s seat. This should push me to do it.
These are supposed to be pretty impressive from multiple aspects.

I’ll be mounting one on the drivers seat base!.

 

p m

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These are supposed to be pretty impressive from multiple aspects.

I’ll be mounting one on the drivers seat base!.

I have one. Fortunately, haven't had a chance to test it out yet.