Welcome to the forum, old fog horn.

I don't know about the 2.6L, but I changed the timing belt on my 3.2L last summer. You're absolutely right, there is "alot to remove." The job from start to finish took me an entire weekend. However, I don't know if you really want to find a "quick way" to do this job. This is something that you want done correctly; after all, it IS only done every 60 to 100K miles.

The prices you were quoted sounds about right for only replacing the timing belt. On the 3.2L, it is usually recommended that the water pump and timing belt tensioner be replaced at the same time. Don't know if this is also true with your 2.6L.

I'm sure someone will chime in here pretty quick.

Good luck,

Mike