After changing my air filter, I got to wondering about the air box thermostat that controls the flap that allows hot air from the manifold to pass through the air filter then to the AMM via the pre-heater hose. I'm aware that some bricksters have completely disconnected the hose and plugged the hole at the bottom of the air box where the hose connects to prevent the AMM from being fried if the air box thermostat fails. I had recently cleaned my engine, and while the belly pan was removed, I fixed up the pre-heater hose and made it look all nice and re-connected both ends for a secure fit to the air box and to the manifold heat shield. Now, after having changed my air filter, the thermostat issue came up, and reading all about it and fried AMMs has made me a bit neurotic. I live in sunny California, so maybe this hose is a bit redundant, I dunno. I really don't want to take out the air box or the lid and filter to seal the flap shut, nor do I want to take the belly pan out again and disconnect the hose at the air box end. I was wondering if I could disconnect the hose at the manifold end and--here's the wacky idea--position it either in front of the grill for "active" air induction or position it somewhere inside the engine bay away from the heat for "passive" air induction. I know I read it somewhere on this site where someone did this or suggested it. What is the best way to do away with the pre-heater hose? This is what I have read on here that people have done:

1. take out hose, hack out thermostat, plug hole from inside
2. same as above, plug hole from outside (someone suggested using one of those aerosol spray lids to cap the tube that extends out from the bottom of the air box)
3. disconnect hose at the air box end, plug hole (this method is recommended if your state carries out inspections)
4. disconnect hose at the manifold end (but what to do with the open end? another air inlet?)

Thanks!

Thanks.