When I swapped an 04 CDL linkage kit into my 00, the first thing I did was remove the solenoid. Figured it was one more thing that could potentially fail and I knew I never wanted to remove the center console and drill out the rivets ever again.

 

I dunno why everyone puts the rivets back! When I slapped in an 04 CDL into my Kalahari I drilled out the rivets and replaced them with large sheetmetal screws. Now it's easy to remove if I ever need to attack anything under that plate ever again.

 

When I did the 04' linkage on mine I did the same, removed "both" solenoids. And yes, the solenoid on the transfer case is kinda a pain to get to, small wrench strokes and scratched hands.