The A/C in my '93 Caravan won't hold a charge for more than a month, I've been told the evaporator is bad.

I've also been told that to replace it, the ENTIRE dash needs to come out. Is this true? If so, any tips, tricks, or sage words of advice?

Letting someone else do the entire job is a budget breaker. I was quoted $800 to $1200 to do the entire job. A shop I know will do JUST the evaporator R&R (me getting the dash out) for around $300.

The dog days of summer are coming , trying to plan ahead.

Thanks.