Preferred? Not for me. I don't want to tear the windshield out if I want to redo the dash. I pulled mine out and reinstalled new clips upside down, screwed in from the bottom, being very careful to nut use too long screws that damage the gasket. I first cut the old clips with a small die grinder and cut off wheel. A dremel might work. I pulled the glove box, heater, heater controls, and cluster and of course the column.
Not sure about stuff like factory AC, it would likely have to be removed first.