If you're talking about the metal innerstructure, yes, unless you want to go through what Kerndog mentioned. If you mean just the instrument cluster, then no, it can come out fairly easily and without having to pull the windshield. Dropping the column is a good idea and will make things easier and less likely to break any plastic on the faceplate. Assuming your windshield is in excellent shape and the rubber gasket is available new, just cut the gasket, remove the windshield, and get a new gasket for installation. If the glass is sketchy and gasket is good, pull the glass whichever way you like and don't worry about breaking it. New ones are available and are so nice to have after looking though a foggy or pitted one. When I pull a windshield that I'm going to dump, and I'm trying not to send shards of glass everywhere in the front seat, I start by pulling the stainless moldings, then spray WD40 around the seam between glass and rubber. I use a putty knife to get the lube between the glass and rubber. Then I just sit in the front seat and push the glass out with my feet. Just a steady push with a foot on both sides will usually do it. Just be careful not to pop the glass too violently and have it scar up your hood or fenders. Having a helper to catch and guide the glass once it starts to come loose helps a lot. You can also try to work the gasket over the pinch weld and remove the glass and gasket together, but, you risk damaging the gasket sometimes. Less likely to get glass fragments though. I always wear goggles and heavy gloves using either method as sometimes the windshield will crack and a few tiny pieces of glass will pop off and/or leave sharp edges.