Originally Posted by BradleyC

So I started to tear down the center console, dash and battery tray/cool air intake today..then decided that I could make the core extraction via dash frame trimming a reality. So after some trimming with an oscillating tool and a ratchet strap to increase the clearance for the core to slide out it, it's finally out! I cut the hoses similar to the "30 minute core replacement" thread linked earlier, and will run tests tomorrow to make sure there are no leaks. I will also need to burp the system and refill the coolant that I drained from the core before cutting it out.

I'm planning on posting all of the photos I took during my work. I think I will start a new thread or post this to my site in hopes that this becomes something that will help others who want to do this repair without removing the dash. It takes some trust to get in there and cut things up, but it seems just as solid and before, and made this install so much easier.

More to come after I wrap this up. Tomorrow also holds an exhaust manifold replacement. Woohoo