So thinking of pulling the air con out. Is there anything important I should know about doing this?

Recommended to degas by an a/c mechanic prior to pulling out - don't be breathing the gas in.

What year and month was your MR2 made, because it makes a big difference in parts? I'm fully reconditioning mine. Bought a genuine evaporator because the US one I bought does not fit (whoopsie). Got it cheap as still, turns out my local air con bloke is a top bloke. The TX valve I bought was luckily the perfect one.