If you are still fully flexible in all your limbs you can go in head first and unscrew the small wood screws that hold the whole centre metal panel to the dashboard from the back. You can then just remove the dash from the front and leave the instrument panel behind. Six screws if my memory serves me. If you intend to paint the metal centre panel then you will have to disconnect all the wires and speedo cable/oil pressure line to remove it. Just label everything if your not sure . Not a hard job!
