Changing Auto Gear Shifter...Help...

Do I really need to remove the ENTIRE console and gearshift cover as my Haynes Manual suggests? I want to swap out my vinyl shifter for a nice wood one, replace the bulb, and clean out the PRNDL window from the inside...
Any shortcuts? Any hints from hell?...er, heloise?

[speedy300Dturbo]

It's really not that bad. Remove the ashtray. Underneath you will see two screws. Remove those... and pull out the ashtray frame. The manual suggests using a small screwdriver to pry the switches out, but I prefer to lift the wood up at the front and slide it backward first. Then I push them out from the bottom. That way you don't risk damaging the wood. There is a small black plastic peg sticking out from the back of the wood piece. Be careful not to damage it. After you have the wood piece out, remove the nuts on the plastic gearshift cover, and remove the shifter nut. That's about it!