Nissan Repair: Expansion valve replacement, nissan frontier crew cab, frontier crew cab

Question
I have a 2002 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab V6 and the expansion valve needs to be replaced. I've been searching under the for it but recently found out it is inside the dash. Before I get started ripping everything out, I just wanted to get a few pointers on how much I have to rip out and what to expect.(my auto mechanic skills aren't "up to date")

Answer
Eugene,

This is going to be a miserable job.  I just did the daughter's Toyota Camry two weeks ago.  

There is more room in the Frontier.  

You have air conditioning equipment?

The system needs to be evacuated first.

Next, remove the glove box and all the goodies under the dash, on the passenger side.

It is nice to remove the airbag on the passenger side to get better access.  But, that means you will need to deactivate it.  To do this you will need to disconnect the battery and wait five minutes.  Then disconnect the airbag fuse and wait another five minutes.  Then, disconnect the yellow harness to the airbag and wait another five minutes.  The airbag has a battery that feeds power to it and a capacitor that has to bleed off.  That is why you have to wait five minutes each time.  Take your time and do not place yourself on the working end of the airbag.  Place it face up after you unbolt it.  Somewhere it cannot launch from and away from people.

Now, you will have to disconnect the air conditioner box and remove it to get to the evaporator core.  That is where the expansion block it.  Be sure to use new o-rings and get refrigerant oil that works with R-134.  PAG oil is the recommended type.

This is a day job and you have to be sure you have the correct tools and parts.  This would be the time to replace the heater hoses and make sure you get all the o-rings for the hoses as well as the expansion block.  A note here is the ones that came with my expansion block were wrong so I ended up spending several hours tracking down the right ones.  Email me back if you need more information.  I would highly recommend a factory service manual since the Haynes does not provide the detail under the dash you need.