Attempting to instal t1809 myself

[MSBX4RUNNER]

I received the head unit in the mail today and I am waiting on the cable. I am going to attempt to do the install myself and any advice or "how to threads" is welcomed. I found the below thread but wasn't sure if I needed to remove the gear shift panel and the panel below the steering wheel just to get to the head unit? Can't you just start at removing the storage cubby under the AC controls and then follow the rest of the steps?
Ihttp://www.castulucci.com/projects/carpc/oemnaviaccess/