Heater Condenser removal (shave)

[chevjayfsd]

Hey guys, I'm wanting to clean up the firewall in my 72, and the biggest improvement would be getting rid of the heater unit under the hood. I don't need nor do I want heat or air right now, and if I do in the future i'll go vintage. I'd like to order the Porterbuilt plates, but my question is, is it doable on an "already painted" truck?

I was thinking I could remove the hood and right fender/inner and do the work, feather in new paint and be done. Has anyone else smoothed their firewall as an after thought?