As an update, I ended up being able to fit it through last night in one last attempt before loosening the body mounts. Took a bit of time to maneuver around. Removed the breather and all of the breather hose clips all the way up to the fuel tank to make more space to move it around. Definitely rubbed off some paint on the neck in the process, but ultimately it worked. It’s an insanely tight fit to get it into position between the frame and body and up in the wheel well.
It certainly would be easier with 0.5-1” extra clearance from removing the body mounts, and perhaps(?) could get away with only the 3 in the back on the passenger side (I’m not certain as I didn’t try), but it is doable without.
Service manager at my local dealer said he’s done one of them, and it’s the worst of any other vehicle he’s worked on. Didn’t really have any insightful tips. Said he would quote 3h for the job (but I’m guessing he also overstated a bit as he just didn’t want me to take him up on it, and he knew I wouldn’t pay that).
Took me less than that, but definitely over an hour between fitting it and then reattaching everything. Would be a bit faster with an extra set of hands.
