I have a 1990 8v 5sp 4x4 tracker.  i was wondering if there is a quick and easy way to change the core.

Are they ever easy? LOL! I have never done one on my kick yet. But the isn't really any short cut usually! You just have to remove the heater box. However hard it may be!LOL!

i am sure i could do it but with how cold it is here it only takes about 10 mins then you can not feel your fingers

Are you sure that it is the core?

You may have damaged or jammed linkage that is keeping the heater valve on the firewall closed.

Have someone look at that linkage while someone inside turns the heat up and down.

I have never heard of leaf buildup on the heater core in a Tracker/Sidekick like it occurs in a Samurai but that also might (maybe) be a possible cause for lack of heat.

Are you sure that it is core?

You may have damaged or jammed linkage that is keeping the heater valve on the firewall closed.

Have someone look at that linkage while someone inside turns the heat up and down.

I have never heard of leaf buildup on the heater core in a Tracker/Sidekick like it occurs in a Samurai but that also might (maybe) be a possible cause for lack of heat.

Ditto this... mine was bent and didnt open very well.

i remember when i was was putting the dash and harness in my tracker u had to remove the whole dash to get the whole heater box out im not sure if theres a acess panel for the core tho pretty tim e consuming job

does anyone have a pic of where and what this linkage looks like

I just changed mine heater core a few nights ago. The whole dash needs to come out so you can remove the heater box. The heater core slides in from the back side of the box(the side that faces the firewall). I had quite a bit of pine needles and stuff that had worked its way into the heater box. Didn't take any pictures but maybe I will remember to take some tomorrow when I take the dash out again and replace the leaking new heater core

Derek

If your core is not leaking and your linkage is okay, the problem may be a partially clogged heater core. I fought with mine and finally got some Zerex radiator cleaner, reversed the heater hoses to get backwards flow and let it run for an hour, drained and refilled with 50/50 antifreeze and the heater now works excellent. The crap that came out with the cleaner was nasty! Might be worth a try.

Junkman