Help with my dilema?????????????

There really isn't that much to removing it and welding in a new piece; shaping the new piece will be the biggest pain. They are just usually tack welded in, with a bunch of seam sealer used to seal it where there are no welds. I used to go into the junk yards all the time with just a hammer and chissel. I could have them out in no more than an hour. With an air chissel, you could have it out in no time.