After reading through various threads I finally bypassed and removed the rear heater using the simplest procedure I could think of. Hopefully this thread can help someone else out that has been reading multiple threads on the topic.
Please note that I did not drain or flush my system at this time, the rear heater bypass can be done without draining the coolant if you plan on doing that at a different time.
Useful diagrams courtesy of another member on the forum:
Before and then after
Tools used:
Variety of pliers, vice grips, shears, etc.
Materials needed:
5/8" Heater hose, straight section and a 90 as well. I used Dayco 80404 and cut to length. Hose clamps too.
Procedure:
1. Remove hose clamps then cut and remove old hoses. It may take a while as there are some hard to reach hose clamps. A few drops of coolant may drip out of the hard lines.
2. Install new 90 elbow section and straight section with hose clamps as shown in above diagrams.
3. Disconnect hoses to rear heater under the truck. Then you can unbolt and remove the heater. (Will need to remove front seat if not already done so. Here about 10 oz of coolant will drain out so make sure you have a bucket under the hoses.
4. Clean up and cover hole with aluminum tape, or you can weld in a new piece of metal, up to you.
5. Done, you can now top off coolant, or go through the entire system flush if you wish before or after this procedure. Start the engine, max the heater out and check for any leaks after a few minutes.
VIDEO:
Please note that I did not drain or flush my system at this time, the rear heater bypass can be done without draining the coolant if you plan on doing that at a different time.
Useful diagrams courtesy of another member on the forum:
Before and then after
Tools used:
Variety of pliers, vice grips, shears, etc.
Materials needed:
5/8" Heater hose, straight section and a 90 as well. I used Dayco 80404 and cut to length. Hose clamps too.
Procedure:
1. Remove hose clamps then cut and remove old hoses. It may take a while as there are some hard to reach hose clamps. A few drops of coolant may drip out of the hard lines.
2. Install new 90 elbow section and straight section with hose clamps as shown in above diagrams.
3. Disconnect hoses to rear heater under the truck. Then you can unbolt and remove the heater. (Will need to remove front seat if not already done so. Here about 10 oz of coolant will drain out so make sure you have a bucket under the hoses.
4. Clean up and cover hole with aluminum tape, or you can weld in a new piece of metal, up to you.
5. Done, you can now top off coolant, or go through the entire system flush if you wish before or after this procedure. Start the engine, max the heater out and check for any leaks after a few minutes.
VIDEO:
