That's great news that you found one. Even though it's been discontinued by Toyota, doesn't mean you might not still find one somewhere in Toyota's world wide distribution system. In the case of the one you found on Amayama, it's located half way around the world in the United Arab Emirates.
Is this what a rear heater failure looks like?
- Thread starter koifish
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- failure heater rear rear heater
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How common are heater cores going bad on 80's?
I have found lots of parts on amayama... doesn't mean they actually have them...it just means they haven't updated their site yet.
I did the install on my 1997 LX470 and it was a PAIN! By far the worst job in my years of wrenching too. There are sooo many hidden screws to deal with and so many plastic parts to break when removing. Be sure to get your ac evacuated before you start. Yeah its better if you remove your seats and give yourself lots of room. Make lots of notes on where all the screws go. Its doable, but halfway through the tear out you will be questioning yourself...i feel for you...
I've worked for decades in both the Automotive, and Aviation fields as a U.A.W. Prototype Machinist. I've not only helped lead engineers design equipment, but I've also designed, and built my own machinery. One of the most important items i always took into account, i always though of the mechanic who had to turn wrench's on that piece of equipment after it was built. So while designing machines, i never put serviceable items, like this heater core were you couldn't easily get at it. Now if the engineer who designed this heater core set up, was the one who had to R&R that core. I'm sure he would come up with a much quicker way of changing it, that didn't include taking the whole dash apart. YMMV, but this is my 2 cents.
Man o man, i just SMH looking at all the work that has to be done to change a simple heater core. I'm guessing if you took this to your local repair shop, it's going to be somewhere around 8 to 10 hours labor, plus parts, and Freon to do this job. Last i checked, our local shops are charging around $120 bucks an hour for labor. So that's going to be a BIG repair bill, I'm feeling your pain brother!