...figure I'd ask the question before breaking any more "little plastic thingies"



So just how are these flat gizmos removed or release?

 

get a sharp screwdriver to spread the halves open as far as they will go and that will close the portion inside the dash pad so you can remove them.

 

Here's some info that should help.
Dave Z

 

I just did that last week, and after a couple helpful texts back and forth with Chris (Elwood13) it was easy. I started with a putty knife, gave it a tap. That let me get a small-thickness screwdriver blade in. Twisting that let me get a larger screwdriver in and twisting that let the clip out very easily. I ALMOST put up a thread here but didn't. Could have saved you the headaches.

The ones by the clock mount were trickier, but you can come in from the edge of the clip and do the same routine. And as always, there was ONE which refused to come out with anything less than dynamite, and predictably THAT was the first one I tackled. The rest were easy.

 

IBTL Excellent info. As always you have the best info when needed.

 

I have to give Chris credit for helping me. If I had started with any other clip t would have been fine. But since I began with the stubborn one, it obviously suggested I was doing something wrong.

And I'll probably be re-reading threads and asking for tips when I get to the re-assembly stage.