What brand of heater core should I go with?

The core is so difficult to change and the quality of ALL the aftermarket cores are so questionable, it's really not worth the risk.

Many many members here wish they would have used the Moper core the first time they changed theirs, including me.
 
The core is so difficult to change and the quality of ALL the aftermarket cores are so questionable, it's really not worth the risk.

Many many members here wish they would have used the Moper core the first time they changed theirs, including me.

Exactly. Why go with any other brand but Mopar? It’s guaranteed to last at least 10 years or more I would say. All the aftermarket Chinese ones... who knows? I wouldn’t risk it, especially when this is a pretty involved job.
 
I just got one last February. Part # 5073180AB from www.eastcoastmoparts.com for $89.10. I don't know if that's the right one for your Jeep, but if so, it's available on Amazon and Morris 4X4. I replaced the blend door actuators while I had it apart because it was easy and cheap. Two of the three are available. There was one I couldn't find anywhere.
 
Interesting. You can still get the OE heater core for the 02-06 models (not sure what changed), it's part number 5073180AB.
 
Not to derail too much, but this will likely be a spring time project for me. My AC system has a leak and won't hold Freon. I have searched for the leak and can't find it, so I suspect it's leaking from the condenser/evaporator(whatever it's called) in the HVAC box since I can't get in there with the detector light to see. With 153K on the clock, would it be wise to replace the heater core while I'm in there?
 
Not to derail too much, but this will likely be a spring time project for me. My AC system has a leak and won't hold Freon. I have searched for the leak and can't find it, so I suspect it's leaking from the condenser/evaporator(whatever it's called) in the HVAC box since I can't get in there with the detector light to see. With 153K on the clock, would it be wise to replace the heater core while I'm in there?

Absolutely! I would. It's such a pain getting in there and you don't want to do it twice.
 
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So ya the heater core is a bitch, changed it out last NOV it lasted 6 months...Bit the bullet and i'm having a custom core made...330 dollars but it's copper and brass....https://thebrassworks.net/collections/heater-cores

Should last the rest of my life...
 
So ya the heater core is a bitch, changed it out last NOV it lasted 6 months...Bit the bullet and i'm having a custom core made...330 dollars but it's copper and brass....https://thebrassworks.net/collections/heater-cores

Should last the rest of my life...
 
Love to hear an update on this after its been through a winter!

I tried to order Mopar branded cores from every mopar site I could find, all claimed to have them but none of them actually did.
 
Not to derail too much, but this will likely be a spring time project for me. My AC system has a leak and won't hold Freon. I have searched for the leak and can't find it, so I suspect it's leaking from the condenser/evaporator(whatever it's called) in the HVAC box since I can't get in there with the detector light to see. With 153K on the clock, would it be wise to replace the heater core while I'm in there?
A/C dye leaking out of the Evaporator case drain is how I found my evaporator core leak
I have a Performance Radiator heater core waiting to go in when the evap core gets swapped
 
Update, thebrassworks core is a beast, it is heavy, copper with brass connections. High temp painted. Fit was perfect and blows hot..slight smell for about a minute then gone...should last until we can no longer run combustion engines.. I highly recommend.
 
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Thank you for the recommendation!

Follow up when it cools off. I plan on one of these when I need one since stock isn't available.
 
do a search on here, it seems i remember talk about one from performance radiator i think it was being a good alternative