John, if I remember correctly you can access these two junctions by
dropping the spare tire and looking up.  One of the hoses uses the front
heater valve as the junction and the other is a straight pass through
plastic connector.  I actually have the front pre-formed hoses in stock
now.  They were discontinued for a few years but are being made again.  If
you want to replace everything these would be something to replace while
you are in there.  Here are the links to the two parts:
http://www.vanagain.com/shop/front-heater-core-hose-feed-vanagon/
http://www.vanagain.com/shop/front-heater-core-hose-return-vanagon/

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

On Mon, Jun 8, 2015 at 1:21 PM, John Goubeaux <john@ucsb.edu> wrote:

> I'm getting ready to drop the fuel tank and ( along with resealing its
> connections/grommets ) am going to replace the long plastic coolant
> pipes with stainless ones.
>
> Since it also makes since to replace the long   5/8 "  heater hoses (
> that run fwd ) at the same time, I'm planning to do that as well.
>
> My question is:  How easy is it to access and disconnect these hoses
> where they join the " short preformed hoses" that in turn connect to the
> front heater core ?  I assume I can access the union without any need to
> get behind the dash ?  I also assume that there is some sort of plastic
> connector involved where the flexible hose joins the preformed piece ?
>
>  I appreciate hearing from someone who has done this already.
>
> -john
>

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com