Thinking about all the fun stuff I wanted to do. Road trip? See friends and relatives I haven't been to in a while? Relax? Fate had other plans.

I was going to work Monday and had to wait a few minutes for the windshield to clear. Seems the defroster wasn't working. Eventually it cleared up and I was on my way. As I was driving, I started playing with the control knobs and realized it would only do the vents and the floor. Tuesday I drove my other truck.

Wednesday rolls around to let the vacation time begin. There is plenty to do. I ordered the defroster door and some presents. All my cards have to get cartoons drawn on them. Saturday gives me time to check things out.

Plugged in to the ALDL and ran some tests. Recirculator door goes 73°. Temperature door is good for 90°. Mode one door rotates 359.2°. Mode two door rotates 359.7°. Yay!

Sunday was spent taking the truck apart. All the usual parts, plus the DVD changer harness, navigation system, backup camera display, Uconnect, a VFD clock, air bags, etc... that lead me to the picture you see here:



The parts that I ordered haven't been shipped by then, they just have a tracking number. Apparently there is something to be said about narrow minded people who just get a tracking number so they can feel good about themselves. Actually getting to the Post Office and mailing the stuff? Na! Plenty of time.

I ordered the parts from a dealership and they had them sent to me in two days. Wednesday gives me time to install the freshly minted parts in to the climate control housing. Discharge the AC and drain the coolant anyone? At least I was able to save the antifreeze and 134A. Fun for sure.

It rained a bit after that (SRW anyone?), so Saturday I was able to get the dash back in and finish the steering column. Today was assembly day for the rest of it. Everything works as it should and I didn't have any extra screws (!) to think about. I was able to mount the Navigation antenna different while the dash was out.

The parts that I ordered on the 10th came yesterday, so now I get to drive my truck to the Post Office if they let me return them. Looks like the weather has plans for me to enjoy the next few days, even if it only involves the Nintendo.

Looks like the road trip will have to wait for next year.

You need to call Clark Griswold. He and his wife Ellen can hook you up for any type vacation.

I almost had to take apart the whole dash to fix my blend door actuators. Went to the dealer and found out the one I need has been discontinued and no longer available. I just jammed a screw in and left it open. It works, truck is almost 20 yrs old.

My dad has a similar problem on his 02 Silverado.

You said unconnect, so I'm guessing an FCA product & relatively newer.

Looks like a big job.

Heater cores, evaporator cores and door actuators are probably my least favorite jobs. Even on those that don't need the whole damned dashboard pulled, much of this work is done upside down and backwards under the dash with my back or side across the door sill, which is uncomfortable, even painful.