"I just did this to a 99 and I can say FOR SURE that the manual makes you go through steps that are just not necessary. You dont need to remove the gauge cluster from the dash, nor the end caps or the accesory panel under the radio. What I did was remove the column (4 bolts), remove the seats and center console and the top cap of the dash and also the glove box assembly. There are 2 large wiring harnesses under the dash where the column is located (one on either side of the column), remove the bolts that hold them together and seperate them. On the passenger side there are a couple of wiring harnesses that have to be removed as well. Also, dont forget to unplug the vacuum harness located under the glove box, left hand side.
There are 5 or 6 bolts along the edge of the dash where it meets the windshield that have to come off and 2 large bolts under the kicker panels that should be threaded almost out but not quite (these will stay in to help line up the dash on reassembly. When you do the reassembly simply set the dash on the 2 bolts and pivot the dash in until you can start one of the bolts near the windshield. the biggest things to be aware of is the foam seals where the dash meets the air handler. I dont have pics but the job is WAY easier tahn the manual would dictate. I could do it now in less than 3 hours although I never want to do it again. But dont be scared of the job because the dash comes out in one big piece and is quite easy to do...cheers"

I just pulled mine last weekend and his tip to remove the whole column helped alot. To remove itfollow the manual's guide: remove covers, knee guard, unplug all connecters from column(some can be a pain with the connector assurance clips), four bolts from the column support and one from the coupler( 13mm and it has threadlock on it so it will be tough). Pull entire column with wheel out.
Unbolt and separate 2 or 3 wire harness plugs under driver side dash (10 mm and they are tough to pull apart, carefull wiggling here).
If you have a/c, it will have to be discharged and the lines separated in the engine compartment. Use a/c line separater tools, Autozone has them 3/4 and 5/8 inch IIRC. New o-rings, Autozone has packs with different sizes. Oil before installing them.
Remove seats and console. It may help to loosen e-brake cable under neath to ease console removal.
The large wire harness under the a/c heat unit is held to firewall with 2 plastic pins , pry behind them and pull loose. This will give you more room when you put the unit back in.
Match the heater core EXACTLY. I bought one from Auto Zone and the tube bends were off enough not to allow them to fit in the track in the housing (bending them was out of the question). Also the the soldering on this core looked like crap. I re installed mine, it was in excellent shape( had to fix a blend door problem , hence need for removal).No one in my area had one in stock either.
I would recomend Napa or some other distributor for the core .

To save a headache, lightly grease the temp. blend door hinge, and push the lever for the door forward ( toward the direction of the firewall when you put the 2 halfs together. It seems to stick if it is assembled when the door is pull back prior to reassembly.Make sure it operates smoothly once assembled and before the unit is installed (ask me why I say test first ).

Also do a search for evaporator removal. There is a step by step removal procedure. Just follow the above tips.