driver leg heat is weak at best + idea about rear floor heat

[BusDriverStu]

So first off - my driver side leg heat is weak at best. It seems to give a little push when it's on the setting for upper + lower heaters, but when i put it on the lower (legs) setting it doesn't seem to put out anything - But everything else does, including those two little heaters that point toward the back of the van... could this be an independent motor that blew out and died to explain why this heater doesn't really work?

and my other question, has anyone turned around those two little heaters that blow toward the rear of the van? I like the idea of them blowing heat toward the rear for when i may be camping and wanna heat the whole van nicely before bed, but i can't help but wonder how much nicer it'd be to have them blowing toward the driver and passenger instead.

[DRZ]

'02 - '05 Astros have an extra duct to blow on your feet ( makes a big difference ). It is a two piece part that is a direct replacement on gen 2 vans, not sure about gen 1s.

[gavio]

Also cargo vans have a duct that ends right below the console, puts the warm air next to you instead of behind you.... I just this afternoon finished rigging mine up using a piece from P'n'P....

[chevymaher]

My 94 has the vent for your feet deal. Width of the glovebox right under it. One under the dash pointing right at the pedals and the maxi heat in the passenger side.

[BusDriverStu]

that'd be cool if I could add those newer heaters in my 99... hmmm

[gavio]

If you can find a donor van at Pick and pull, it should be easy - there's a handful of pieces - main duct, flex hose, bracket and clip to hold the hose in place......

[Don1806]

I had this issue when I picked up my 99 from the dealer new. Turns out there was a TSB (might have been for the 98's) with a part to add an extra duct over the driver's feet. Dealer installed mine at no charge back then. It's just basically a Y connector and could easily be done as a DIY with parts from a donor van.

[BusDriverStu]

i wish i had a pick and pull close to me... maybe i need to figure out what the part is so i can source it online or get a look at it to mimic it.

[DRZ]

Did I not post a pic of the two parts that are from an '02 and newer.

[BusDriverStu]

of course you did and it's helpful but still difficult to see exactly what it is or more specifically what the shape is since it's a 2-d picture. I'm sure i'll get a better idea when i take off the plastic and get a look by the driver feet area but for the time being i haven't been able to since i've been busy painting and caulking while the weather is warm enough.

i found this info also helpful that i should post here which another member shared with me:

"Per Fixya.com

tsb # 01-01-38-003

Poor Heat Distribution in Driver's Area of Vehicle (Install New Heat
Diverter Ducts)
1996-2001 Chevrolet and GMC M/L-Van Models

Built Prior to the following VIN Breakpoints:

Make
VIN Breakpoint

Chevrolet
1B111821

GMC
1B504468

This condition may be corrected by installing a newly designed center
heat duct and diverter tube. Use the following procedure and the part
numbers listed below to install the new ductwork.

Remove the screw covers from the top of the instrument panel (IP)
extension and remove the retaining screws.
Remove the retaining nuts from the bottom of the IP extension.
Remove the IP extension from under the IP by pulling the extension
outward and disconnecting the electrical connector.
Remove the screws (total of 3) that retain the driver's knee bolster
to the IP.
Disconnect the park brake release cable from the park brake assembly
and remove the knee bolster from the vehicle.
Place the knee bolster on a clean, flat surface with the colored side
up. The knee bolster will be resting on the lower edge tabs on the
bench. The right side tab is where the tube must be attached.
Lift the knee bolster and place the mounting of the flexible heat duct
on the right side mounting tab of the knee bolster. Mark and drill two
5 mm (13/64 in) holes in the knee bolster mounting flange.
Attach the mounting flange to the knee bolster with the screws.
Tighten
Tighten the screws to 2 N??m (18 lb in).

On panel vans, it will be necessary to remove the duct attaching
screws from the floor of the vehicle.
Remove the original center heat duct from the vehicle by grabbing at
the top left corner of the duct and then pulling the duct to the left
and out of the vehicle.
Position the new heat duct to the floor outlet, if equipped, and snap
into the heater case.
On panel vans, reinstall the retainers for the heat duct into the
floor of the vehicle. Tighten
Tighten the retaining nuts to 2 N??m (18 lbN??min).

Reinstall the knee bolster to the vehicle. Position the new heat duct
into the opening of the IP support brace and onto the outlet from the
center heat duct.
Reconnect the park release cable to the park brake assembly and
install the three knee bolster retaining screws.
Reposition the IP extension to the IP and reconnect the electrical
connector.
Install the retainers. Tighten
Tighten to the retainers to 8 N??m (71 lbN??min).

Install the screw covers to the IP extension
15754078
Duct Asm - Flr Air Outlet
1 per vehicle

15754076
Outlet, Flr Air (Passenger Vans)
1 per vehicle*

15754077
Outlet, Flr Air (Panel Vans)
1 per vehicle**

9423101
Screw, Tap
2 screws required per vehicle"

[DRZ]

Good advice except from the bone yards there will just be two pieces to replace those you took off AND neither my '98 or '00 vans had the upgraded parts. The '00 Astro-mino does now because I switched them with the '$500 '03 I had last year... Stan