Am I missing something here? No need to remove the bolts and plate on my 4 Runner and I don't think I could with it in the truck without cutting the floor.
Just push down and turn the cup shaped doodad until it lines up with the lugs and lift the whole shifter out - like you would do if you were just changing the nylon parts in there.

Randy

1995 V6 SR5 5 speed 4X4 - 4Runner - dark blue