Next weekend I am going to replace the AC evaporator, heater core, and actuators in my 2008. While I have the dash apart, what else should be done? I am thinking of adding sound deadening to the firewall, beyond that nothing comes to mind. It's not a fun project, but rather only have to do it once.
Replacing Evaporator...what else should I do while in there?
- Thread starter vr4z06gt
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Boort
Member
I like the idea of sound deadening.
3 things that I would do while under there to make my driving life better:
* TMPS bypass
* Cleanup / add any aftermarket wiring for anything you added quickly or want to add later. everything is apart you can do it right.
* I'd add a 12v lighter socket on the passenger center dash so I could charge my phone in the RAM mount w/o running a cord across the shifter and cup holders.
* replace dash bulbs, I've started losing some on my 06 so I'd get the kit and replace all of them.
Boort
3 things that I would do while under there to make my driving life better:
* TMPS bypass
* Cleanup / add any aftermarket wiring for anything you added quickly or want to add later. everything is apart you can do it right.
* I'd add a 12v lighter socket on the passenger center dash so I could charge my phone in the RAM mount w/o running a cord across the shifter and cup holders.
* replace dash bulbs, I've started losing some on my 06 so I'd get the kit and replace all of them.
Boort
Buckaroo
Member
Did this job a couple of years ago. Replaced the evaporator and expansion valve in the air box. Did not replace the heater core or actuators. Put new o-rings on the ac lines and replaced the desiccant bag. Ended up replacing the condenser also as the desiccant cap was seized.
I ordered the entire duct assembly from Toyota. Contains all lines, heater core, evaporator, actuators as well as relevant orings and fastners as one preasembled unit. Was $1400 but I figure it should last for another 15+ years. Part number is (87050-35070). Dealer said there was only 3 parts in the country, soon to be 2.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Just an FYI for future readers, I have a 2004 Limited and the complete assembly for it is $2054, not sure if it's more just because of it being a Limited with the dual zones or what but says it's for 2003 to 2006 years.
I also have a Limited, 2008 model year. Dealer site suggests it's a valid part number for 2006-2009 Limited models only; not sure if there was a mid-year change over or not?? List price was $2102; dealer site is $1415 as of this posting date.
AuSeeker
Elite Member
Something had to have changed in 2006 at some point.
Completed the evaporator assembly swap this weekend. There is padding on the firewall, didnt end up putting any sound deadening on. Can comment that the swap wasnt that bad. Took two of us about 5 hours round trip for the mechanical work. Additional time to go get a new desccant bag, pulled vaccume for about 30 minutes to boil any water off, and then a little longer to fill with refigerant. We werent certain how much oil to add, and couldnt find the value in the repair manual, but came with a can that was below the amount the system holds and how much is called for when swapping the compressor...so that entire can went in. We didnt take too many pictures along the way, but here is a picture of the assembly and naked firewall.
The piece of advise I'd give anyone else doing this...just take the crash bar and dash out as one assembly. You have the remove what sounds like a lot, the gauge cluster, radio, hvac panel, glove box, lower dash trim on both sides, the center console, driver/passenger door kick plates and b pillar trim, and remove the sterring wheel/shaft, in order to get all of the wire harness out as an assembly (rear door switch is tied to the dash wire harness and needs to be snaked up to the front of the car, but once that's done it's disconnect and separate the various body harnesses/plugs that plug into the computers in both front footwells (computers come out with the dash), 5 bolts (3 drivers side and 2 passenger, the furthest forward bolt on the driver's side can't come out without removing the door but you can easily slide it out enough) and one more antisocial nut in the center of the dash and it the entire dash slides out of the car as one giant assembly. So much easier than the videos I've seen online where people try to leave the bar in and work around it. With it out of the vehicle you can easily remove the blower mower and heat exchanger assembly from the back of the dash in a few minutes. I think we had the entire dash out in 1.5 hours...hardest part was remembering where all of the various bolts/nuts go that hold the various trim, wire harnesses and other stuff you just took off go. That was probably 2.5 hours to get it back in and snugged up. We had to back track a bit when we forgot to install the defroster duct in the center of the dash...
Hope this helps someone else.
Hope this helps someone else.
