I went ahead and installed the vent handle assembly and I detailed the steps needed to get access to it for other people wanting or needing to replace this item. It's not terribly difficult, but you do have to dig pretty deep to finally uncover the bolts holding them in place. In a nut shell, you need to disassemble the dash down to the level of the tray. So here is the step by step, feel free to use it in the how to guide:

1) Remove defroster vent covers (2 screws per cover)
2) Remove passenger side dash grab handle (3 screws)
3) Remove driver side temp control cover (5 screws)
4) Remove gage panel (4 side screws, 2 screws uynderneath, leave wires attached)
5) Remove main upper dash pad (3 large screws on top, 2 small underneath)
6) Remove upper/side screw on right side of gage panel (screw head is in the way to remove another panel)
7) Remove center control console (rear defrost, wiper, washer) (2 screws, 2 plastic push in retainers)
8) Remove passenger side tray capping piece (needed to gain more space for removing vent cover piece)(3 screws)
9) Remove panel covering the 2 vent handles (2 large and 6 small plastic push in retainers)
-This was a little tricky. I needed to roll it back and it was difficult to get past the vent handles. It may be even more difficult to reinstall since both of my handles will then be in place. We'll see.
10) Remove front cross bar of roll cage (needed for access to 2 screws (8 mm hex) attaching actuating arm to vent)
11) Remove vent handle assembly (at last!!) (2 screws)

Since this was as involved as it was, I plan to replace both of the vent handles. One of mine was missing the plastic piece that says "vent" on it and they both were pretty sloppy loose. The new one is much more positive in holding the vent in place.

Obviously, the reassembly will be the reverse of disassembly, but I do plan on replacing the plastic push in retainers with trim screws. And as a bonus, I scored a dime, a nickel and a flea comb for my troubles today to boot!!