here are two very informative threads

the first shows the crack pipe mod and the up pipe plug here it is

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/775240-egr-cooler-up-pipe-removal-instructions.html

the second talks about jb welding the egr shut and unhooking it, which I am not sure I want to do, but it also has a link posted by pipewelder71 showing pics of how to modify the cooler and uppipe and be able to leave the egr valve plugged in so hopefully no codes or lights. here it is:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/8...-question.html