Hello everyone, i want to make sure its the heater core before i tear the truck apart, the issues are-
Vents blow out a smoggy fog type mist-most likely coolant, inside of windsheild has the film, and the defrost doesnt work at all.
Pretty sure its the core but not sure, never delt with one before.
Kyle

 

Thats the most common indication of a bad heater core.

 

Just went through this myself, all symptoms like yours. It was the heater core.

 

how difficult is it to get at the heater core? Is it one of those PITA setups where you haveto take out the whole dash?

 

Pretty much......The book says to take it out completely, but it's not necessary. Basically, you will pull the passenger side of the dash back and up for clearance to remove the HVAC box. The job is not really difficult, just involved, and can be done with a decent set of hand tools.
I always recommend replacing the AC evaporator when doing this job, those are known for failure, and you'll have the box out anyway. Your call on that.

 

Someone posted how to replace the core without disconnecting the evaporator. My air is cold so I'd take my chances unless I had to purge the AC. Shop says that pulling the dash completely is easy with 2 people to lift it out. Other method is to loosen it & support passenger side by tying to the passenger hand hold.