Well, o got it done. Lost a circlip, and I second disconnecting the temp control cable in the passenger footwell.
Cannot stand fiddly work, and I have big hands, so I found a way to get it open wider.
Remove these screws, and lift the tabs just in front.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/lojasmo/a4f44ec7.jpg
Carefully pull it open, there is still a ribbon cable that connects the two halves.
In this picture, the heat control arm is removed.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/lojasmo/d9997d67.jpg
I got it open about an inch.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/lojasmo/b1476f51.jpg
Not a bad job. Looking forward to driving it tonight. Oh...if you lose a cir clip, and have to drive, the car works fine without the instrument cluster, but the blinkers do not.