So in a video for my truck it looks like it's up under the dash on the passenger side of the truck and wont require the dash to get torn apart to replace it

 

You might be in luck then. Most vehicles I've owned except one required pulling the dash out. The exception was a Ford Aerostar. With that one it only required removing the glove box and removing a panel behind the glove box and there it was. One of the few things Ford did right.

 

Yeah. I think I'm probably gonna take a look. From the video it doesnt like to long of a swap. Just have to get new hoses and heater core.

Now this may be a dumb question, would it be best to drain the radiator when I go to put all the parts in and then refill it or would it really matter?

 

If I was going to the trouble of a new core, and the system has not been regularly serviced, it would be well worth your time & $$ to do a good clean/flush and fill with new coolant, and replace all hoses while you're at it.

 

Agree with Rednucleus. If I were servicing part of the system I would drain the coolant, replace the heater core, reassemble everything and then do a good flush of the entire cooling system. Prestone Superflush works well for this. Then drain and refill with 50/50 mix of coolant. Check for leaks. Keep an eye on the coolant level for the next few weeks. Add coolant as necessary.

 

Alright. Thank you guys. This was the first part I wasnt 100% sure about. The only other things I had to do so far was get the headlights, brake lights, and tail lights running again.

Other then getting this heater core up and running it looks like everything else is mostly cosmetic stuff (broken grill, minor dents and dings, etc.) As long as nothing else comes up. But gonna knock on wood that nothing major comes up.

 

Please report back on how easy/hard core replacement went; good luck!

 

Will do and thank you