Jeep Wrangler TJ Performance PCM Tuning

OEM heater core discontinued: Best replacement?

MountaineerTom said:
I changed the core in my ‘06 1 year ago. Ordered a MOPAR core. It was the brown one made in France like posted earlier. It was identical to the one that came out of my Jeep.
Click to expand...

Thanks for confirming this. That’s the same one I received, so clearly Valeo was the OE supplier.
 
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I haven’t read this whole thread, just seen that it popped up on my new posts.

Are all MOPAR TJ heater cores discontinued now, or just the earlier style?
 
MountaineerTom said:
I haven’t read this whole thread, just seen that it popped up on my new posts.

Are all MOPAR TJ heater cores discontinued now, or just the earlier style?
Click to expand...


Apparently just the earlier style because Mopar P/N 5073180AB is shown as the heater core for the 03-06 model years and is listed as available on at least the following websites:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0049ED8R0/?tag=wranglerorg-20

https://www.wermopar.com/oem-parts/...9dW5saW1pdGVkLXJ1Ymljb24mZT00LTBsLWw2LWdhcw==

https://www.morris4x4center.com/hea...l?find=jeep-wrangler-tj-unlimited-2006-129047

However, as is all to often the case, many Internet auto parts suppliers show items in stock and it is only after an order is placed that the consumer receives communication that the item is backordered or no longer available.

Replacing the heater core in my '06 LJ is on my "to do" list for February. I'll let you know if I have any difficulty obtaining a genuine Mopar part.
 
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That's good to hear. I'm assuming mine was the original that I removed. If it was it lasted 12 years. If this one lasts as long, I'll be happy. I may order one to keep stashed away for the future.
 
MountaineerTom said:
I haven’t read this whole thread, just seen that it popped up on my new posts.

Are all MOPAR TJ heater cores discontinued now, or just the earlier style?
Click to expand...

The 02-06 ones are still available. I was able to get one from one of the parts websites. It was not cheap though but it came from a Chrysler dealership who I later called and double checked. They confirmed indeed made by Valeo back in the day.
 
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Belginsmith said:
So for us pre-03 folks, what's our best bet, and/or what to look for in a replacement?
Click to expand...

The most frequently mentioned aftermarket heater core for the pre-03 TJ is probably Spectra. I am not familiar with some of the other brands but a google search of the discontinued Mopar part number for your year should yield the available alternatives. You can also do a part number cross-reference search on many auto parts sites.

There will probably be someone who feels the urge to opine that anything other than genuine Mopar is inherently junk. I'm not sure that Spectra should automatically be placed in the junk category, but I don't know where Spectra fits in the hierarchy of available options. I have inquired with a number of repair shops in my area and also my local parts house about Spectra heater core warranty claims. The response has thus far been no more or less than any other brand, including manufacturer brands. That doesn't translate to Spectra being as good as Mopar, just that locally at least no one in the business seems to think Spectra is any worse.

I can still buy a Mopar branded Valeo heater core for my '06 but the price is $224. I can buy the Spectra version for less than $50. Although I am tempted to save $175 by going Spectra, the shop time for the job is 6.5 hours and although I may be retired, 6.5 hours of my time (more realistically 8+) is still worth a lot more than $175. It isn't worth the gamble that I might get a lesser quality part by trying to save a few dollars. You guys with the early TJ's don't get to make that choice, the only heater cores available for you are the cheaper aftermarket versions.

I think the prudent course of action no matter what brand of heater core is purchased, including Mopar, would be to have it pressure tested at a radiator shop prior to installation. There is too much installation labor involved not to ensure in advance that it is a good part.
 
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I picked up an OSC p/n 98024 for the 2001. Will probably wait until spring as the stop-leak I put in seems to be working for now. This seems to be what the Mopar dealers are using for their customers. For an aluminum heater core, the construction is decent. I didn't find a single bent or out of place fin and the soldering looks first rate. Be aware that they do not come with foam weather stripping which seems to be the only negative reflected in the ratings. Just as well, I can install a better quality foam than the crap Spectra and others would supply.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KMO8FM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
 
RaymondT said:
I picked up an OSC p/n 98024 for the 2001. Will probably wait until spring as the stop-leak I put in seems to be working for now. This seems to be what the Mopar dealers are using for their customers. For an aluminum heater core, the construction is decent. I didn't find a single bent or out of place fin and the soldering looks first rate. Be aware that they do not come with foam weather stripping which seems to be the only negative reflected in the ratings. Just as well, I can install a better quality foam than the crap Spectra and others would supply.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004KMO8FM/?tag=wranglerorg-20
Click to expand...

I’ve been looking for suggestions for HVAC foam, what do you suggest? I’m gonna replace the heater core soon, so it would be great to know.
 
Gambaholic said:
Thanks for the tip but I called them last week to verify they had it in stock and that it was OEM. They told me they didn’t actually have any and that as soon as I would try to purchase it I would have gotten an email saying they no longer had them. I don’t know why they don’t update their stupid website. That is so frustrating when sellers act as if they have the part when in fact they just source them from somewhere else AFTER you buy it from them. I appreciate the reply tho!! Thx.
Click to expand...
Has you or anyone found a replacement for 4874046? I am currently looking in Europe for this part.
 
Mr. Bills said:
The most frequently mentioned aftermarket heater core for the pre-03 TJ is probably Spectra. I am not familiar with some of the other brands but a google search of the discontinued Mopar part number for your year should yield the available alternatives. You can also do a part number cross-reference search on many auto parts sites.

There will probably be someone who feels the urge to opine that anything other than genuine Mopar is inherently junk. I'm not sure that Spectra should automatically be placed in the junk category, but I don't know where Spectra fits in the hierarchy of available options. I have inquired with a number of repair shops in my area and also my local parts house about Spectra heater core warranty claims. The response has thus far been no more or less than any other brand, including manufacturer brands. That doesn't translate to Spectra being as good as Mopar, just that locally at least no one in the business seems to think Spectra is any worse.

I can still buy a Mopar branded Valeo heater core for my '06 but the price is $224. I can buy the Spectra version for less than $50. Although I am tempted to save $175 by going Spectra, the shop time for the job is 6.5 hours and although I may be retired, 6.5 hours of my time (more realistically 8+) is still worth a lot more than $175. It isn't worth the gamble that I might get a lesser quality part by trying to save a few dollars. You guys with the early TJ's don't get to make that choice, the only heater cores available for you are the cheaper aftermarket versions.

I think the prudent course of action no matter what brand of heater core is purchased, including Mopar, would be to have it pressure tested at a radiator shop prior to installation. There is too much installation labor involved not to ensure in advance that it is a good part.
Click to expand...
I found this for my 1997 TJ, looks legit, any comments?

https://www.partstech.com/Valeo-HVAC-Heater-Core/details/BCRR-515099
 
I don't know anything about the linked PartsTech heater core. At $312 it certainly isn't cheap.


Shortly after the January 2019 post you quoted I had the heater core in my '06 LJ replaced at my local radiator shop. They recommend and stand behind heater cores from www.performanceradiator.com.

The thread about it is here: https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...mendation-for-rods-radiator-redding-ca.18457/

I had this heater installed: https://shop.performanceradiator.co...ath=1_22310_22822_22877_22879&product_id=8045

This is their heater core for the 1997 TJ: https://shop.performanceradiator.co...ath=1_22310_22822_22850_22852&product_id=7818
 
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5073180AB is what I used when I replaced mine a couple years ago.
 
I know this is an old thread but I just acquired a 2005 LJ. Naturally the heater core started leaking this week. Of course the Mopar replacement is discontinued as you all know. Has anyone installed the one referenced by 04RubiOR (PPS-GF40)? I have located one (I think) but the only reference numbers that have been provided to me are that PPS-GF40. I much rather have a Mopar version. Thanks for any help/response.
 

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