I have a 93 Dakota CC 5.2 Auto and the heater is not getting the job done. The truck currently has about 133000 miles on the clock. The radiator was replaced about a year ago and was very plugged up. I will probably have to replace the heater core and would like to do it without dumping the freon. Has anyone done this repair and can it be done without removing the airbox as the Service Manual says? Thanks in advance.</P>

Guess noone's every done this...

First check the heater core by removeing the heater hose going to the water pump , this is the core exit ,.if flowing good , then check the valve thats inline with the heater hose comming from the top of engine , they get rusty and stick closed over time. so you may not have to change it at all. Hope this helps</P>

No valve on this heater core, just straight hoses from water pump/engine to core pipes. Gotta check the flow yet, but radiator was replaced a couple years agoand it was plugged up with minerals from original owner using our nasty tap water.