olharleyman

What is the best way to remove the rear heater from under the center console and make it all free space under the shelf in it?

Is it possible to do or a waste of time and energy?

blue_CA_yota

It's a pretty easy removal in my first gen.. There are only a few bolts holding everything in..

There are a couple phillips head screws holding the arm rest compartment in.. Once that is out of the way, there are a few head head bolts holding the heater in.. I never did take a look at the wiring attached to the heater, but mine is a self-reliant system, with blower speed and heat controls attached. I'm sure there's just a 12V source wire and a ground..

Once the heater is out of the way, you'll have to rig up some kind of box to seal off the inside of the comparment. Otherwise your cds and change will get lost in all the nooks and crannies between the armrest and carpetting.

I've never pulled out the motor, but I've had that arm rest out a half dozen times.. I still have half the screws in the glovebox so next time it'll come out even faster..

NYChopshop

don't do it man! the ladies love their own rear seat heater!

phildelfino

the heater is held in with 3 screws (bolts). 10 or 12mm i think. then just figure out how to block everything off.
i believe dirtco took his out while re-doing or replacing heater hoses. try to search him.

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

isn't there a set of coolant lines that run back there that need be capped at the fire wall or connected at the tunnel to allow the coolant to still flow?
Personally if I still lived on the east coast I would leave it in...

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

We live on the west coast Robb, and I would STILL leave it in

blue_CA_yota

my rear heater is electric I'm pretty sure.. maybe thats the diff between first and second gen..

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Can remove the rear heater, but be advised that it is the rear heater core that supports the console. So you'll need to fab up some sort of support frame for the console once the heater is gone. Also need to pull and cap the 2 heater lines to the core. You can replace the rear console with something like a Tuffy console, that is what I did:





Once I get that rear shifter relocated up to the front shifter location, then the console will be moved forward so it is flush with the seat backs, then can add the cup holder that comes with the console that attaches on the back.

thedanned

X2
It doesnt look that hard to do. I had to pull all the carpet out when I got my 4R (moldy) which necessitated removal of seats and center console. Does anyone know how the center console is held in on a 4R without rear heat? If there is a factory bracket/frame thing, maybe go look for one of those at the breakers.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

It is a different console on the non-heater models. I assume it screws into the same 3 or 4 captive nuts that hold the rear heater core in place. The heater console in turn is bolted to the heater.

DeathCougar

iTrader: (23)

Unless someone installed an electric heater, yours is NOT an electric heater. Get under your truck, and you will see the coolant lines running back there. Toyota 4runners/trucks only used a 55-60 amp alternator (depending on year) which would not be enough to power everything AND an electric heater.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

Yes, there is both power and coolant flowing to the heater. The power is for the blower motor and lighted switch (which turns the motor on and off) but it is the hot coolant that carries the heat. You can see the two coolant lines running to my old rear heater in the image below: