Refrigerator replacement on 2003 41DA

[JMS23]

does anybody have removal and installation help for a refrigerator on a 2003 41DA?
my current Norcold DE0461 no longer cools, and i am looking to replace with a Norcold DE0061. it is supposed to be a direct replacement. the local refrigeration people state the entire refrig cabinet needs to be dis-assembled removed at a cost of $1,500, not including the refrig cost.
has anyone replaced the refrigerator without the cabinet removal?

 

[Little Ducky]

Please make sure to have the old one looked at before you toss it.

Could be a power converter and they run around $100. At least according to another thread on this subject.

 

[JVM225]

Do some searching in this thread. I’m pretty sure I saw a couple of posts about this that included recommendations for repairing yours or replacing it.
From what I remember, I think the posts indicated that it was possible to slide the unit out with some details about how to do it.

 

[marty51]

does anybody have removal and installation help for a refrigerator on a 2003 41DA?
my current Norcold DE0461 no longer cools, and i am looking to replace with a Norcold DE0061. it is supposed to be a direct replacement. the local refrigeration people state the entire refrig cabinet needs to be dis-assembled removed at a cost of $1,500, not including the refrig cost.
has anyone replaced the refrigerator without the cabinet removal?

 

[marty51]

I replaced Norcold with Vitrifrigo in my 02 last year. Do have to remove bottom fridge cabinet in order to remove old and bring in new. As I recall maybe 2 hours to remove cab and fridge. Also had to pop off vinyl trim on sides of cabin entry and cut cabinet bottom in order to get past stairway. I did this myself, just found a couple young guys to take old fridge out and bring new in.

 

[JMS23]

I replaced Norcold with Vitrifrigo in my 02 last year. Do have to remove bottom fridge cabinet in order to remove old and bring in new. As I recall maybe 2 hours to remove cab and fridge. Also had to pop off vinyl trim on sides of cabin entry and cut cabinet bottom in order to get past stairway. I did this myself, just found a couple young guys to take old fridge out and bring new in.

Marty, thanks for the info... how is the vinyl trim secured? push pins or screws?
what do you mean you had to 'cut cabinet bottom" to get past stairway?

 

[marty51]

Marty, thanks for the info... how is the vinyl trim secured? push pins or screws?
what do you mean you had to 'cut cabinet bottom" to get past stairway?

I purchased automotive trim removal tool from HF 8-10 bucks. It's held with plastic fasteners, you just work in behind and it will come off easily. As to cabinet bottom it is 1/2 " thick panel that has several large cut outs in it for ventilation. I just made a cut or two with sawzall and overlapped so I could get cabinet past the bottom step.

Fridge sits on top of that piece so it doesn't show and you can screw it back down after cabinet reinstall.
Marty

 

[SeasNT]

If you do need to replace the Norcold, consider a Nova Kool. They make a 9 cu ft RFU9000 that, in our case, fit in the same space as the original 7cu ft Norcold. Frig is on top.