it looked easier on video

**dd1101** · 04-22-2013, 07:09 AM

You are a brave man. Probally a great time to clean the dash and protect it with Blackfire in those hard to reach places

**tropicsteve** · 04-22-2013, 07:39 AM

Originally Posted by dd1101

You are a brave man. Probally a great time to clean the dash and protect it with Blackfire in those hard to reach places

oh yeah, i like to think a clean, shiny firewall is a happy firewall.

**ca.detailchick** · 04-22-2013, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by SSizzlin`

I must not be a real man because I sure as hell would NEVER attempt something like that. Major props, Steve!!!

Dont worry,your still ALL man Mark.

**Concours.John** · 04-22-2013, 01:14 PM

Originally Posted by tropicsteve

ok john, you win, you are the restore master.

Actually after you do that it would make any 60`s vehicle a cake walk.

I have to give you credit. I`d rather tear down anything old than mess with the newer stuff.

**tropicsteve** · 05-05-2013, 08:18 AM

just a final update: i was actually able to get everything put back together again and the truck actually started up. needless to say i was doing the hallelujah dance with the fact that it started at all.

i was fortunate to have a friend who works in commercial hvac who stopped by to recharge the system for me using my equipment and after some adjustment, it works fine !!! other than some aggravation with autozone sending some wrong special order parts,the returns and purchase of new parts, and some quick connect fittings that weren`t so quick connect

, everything went pretty well. i did have a handful of extra screws when i finished, but the dash hasn`t fallen into my lap yet, so i`m good.

the shop estimate for just replacing the a/c evaporator and accumulator was $1500.00 and i was able to replace those parts, plus the heater core, and the costs of some a/c tools for about $500.00 total, so i consider myself fortunate indeed. quite a learning experience. thanks for everyone`s replies.

**The Driver** · 09-05-2013, 10:19 AM

Glad to hear ya made it through, did you use rockauto for sourcing parts?

And yes, I`m totally bumping this because A/c jobs are the toughest and most costly of any in auto repair.

**tropicsteve** · 09-05-2013, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by The Driver

Glad to hear ya made it through, did you use rockauto for sourcing parts?

And yes, I`m totally bumping this because A/c jobs are the toughest and most costly of any in auto repair.

i actually didn`t know of rockauto when i made the repair, but have since used it and it is a great place for parts. sometimes, using a local supplier is more helpful for exchanging wrong/defective parts, but it`s hard to beat rockauto`s prices for sure.

**The Driver** · 09-05-2013, 04:26 PM

I agree on that, I`m doing a full suspension overhaul soon. Local wants 650 a per strut, rock auto is around 300 a corner. Sometime`s the savings is just too much to pass.

Btw ~ Don`t ever buy a car with electronic suspension, they will rape you on $$$$.