I finally did the last remaining fluid change and did the metal transmission conversion pan. It wasn’t the worst Sunday project but definitely more of a gatorade job than a beer job.
You can get the plastic pan out by cutting the filter neck but you will still need to unbolt the t-case mount and jack up the drivetrain about an inch or so to fit the new metal pan. If I had to do this again I would lift it from the start to have more room to work.