Been there done that.  We cut the bottom off of the heater cover years ago
for the same reason. I actually think that I stole a paring knife from the
kitchen, heated it over a torch an just cut away.  Can't remember if I
removed the baseboard or not.  No problems to date.  We also bypassed the
heater core for awhile.  I think I used a pre-curved piece of electrical
conduit.  Any metal tubing should work if sized correctly.  Just be sure
that the hoses are clamped on well.  A hose popping off in that location
could be dangerous.

Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: "=David-M=" <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Saturday, March 17, 2001 1:13 PM
Subject: Help! How get to rear heater?

> I'm trying to replace a burst coolant hose that goes to the rear heater.
> How do I get to the rear heater? I lifted up the rear bench seat and
> removed the six screws I found. Stupidly, I thought I'd be able to lift
> off the shroud. But no, the shroud encircles the outlet so that it still
> cannot be lifted off.
> Do I have to remove the rear seat baseboard? Or, is there someway to
> pull off the plastic outlet vent?
> Neither the Bentley or Haynes manuals give any help other than showing
> exactly the same picture of it with the shroud already removed.
> Help! I ned to get my van back on the road asap.
>
> PS. Since I am now in Arizona, do I even need this auxiliary heater? Is
> there any way to bypass it?
>
> - David 1987 Wolfsburg ("The Bismarck" currently renamed the $%&#!@*)
>