Removal of a/c-heater unit from rabbit ???

[doonboggle]

Has anyone removed the factory a/c-heater unit from the 1980s rabbit-caddy before?  It looks like the complete dash needs to be removed to gain access.

If so, sure could use some guidance!!.  Have never done this before.
Thanks

[theman53]

Nope...but I took the passenger seat out and the bottom of the dash and knee board. I think I loosened the top part of the dash and it was still tight. If you search long enough I had  a post here when I did that to my Rabbit titled something like "I would like to kick the vw engineer square in the nuts that designed the heater core box for MKI"...I have a similar reply in the general section right now 

[doonboggle]

theman53
Located your thread ... http://www.vwdiesel.net/forum/index.php?topic=16932.0
and referenced one within ... http://www.vwdieselparts.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6236&start=45

which, in reading, lead me toward the possibility that will have to loosen dash and take off.  Seem to recall in one of the books (Bentley possibly) that it takes the drilling out of 2 bolts holding the steering column in.  If this is the case, I am really dreading this.  Have fused spinal discs....

Was that your experience?  What else?

Nope...but I took the passenger seat out and the bottom of the dash and knee board. I think I loosened the top part of the dash and it was still tight. If you search long enough I had  a post here when I did that to my Rabbit titled something like "I would like to kick the vw engineer square in the nuts that designed the heater core box for MKI"...I have a similar reply in the general section right now 

[theman53]

You don't need to take out the entire dash. The knee board thing and loosen the rest and I think it will come out. I think I poped the hoses off the vents and wiggled the rest free. Mine had AC...I didn't think of trying to get that out in one piece. I replace the heater core and left out the ac evap. I get more flow. No matter how you do it it sucks.

[somolovitch3]

Okay, YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DROP THE STEARING COLUME. Just pull the wheel. Yes it is all sorts of fun to fignagle the dash over the colume, (like all of 5 seconds). More fun geting the stuff( I am being polite) in the engine compartment out. You are talking about removing the entire "suitcase" no?

Enjoy much beers, then start worck!

[mystery3]

I just loosened the dash on both sides and pushed up on the dash while wiggling the box, managed to get it into the passenger foot well but it was a major pita. Honestly if you have a bad back it maybe worth paying someone else to do it if that's an option. It took me the whole day to replace the heater core, I also removed the evaporator and associated a/c stuff.