Anyone tried to loosen up the dash and rotate the front up to get to nuts on the back of the pad. Glass is out to paint the dash and column is out also. Someone told be me he did it and placed a block under the front while he changed the pad and painted his dash. This is an air car if that would make it harder.

I can't see that working. HOWEVER, I have removed the pad with everything still in place. 1/4" drive deep socket of the appropriate size, a 6" extension and small ratchet. There are 6 studs. Once you break the nuts loose they easily turn by hand so its not like you have to ratchet them all the way off.

But seriously, why do it with the dash in place. You've gone this far, spend another 1/2 hour and pull it out completely.