It's pretty obvious to me that the console is at least a chassis stiffener, but I think that you need to make an access into the top of the rear part of the console box.
From there you should be able to cut each tube in two and remove them.
The perfect solution to replacement would be to put one piece stainless tubing in to replace what you take out.
We don't live in a perfect world now do we? Well maybe you don't anyway.
Use a teflon core "aeroquip hose" and you won't ever have to worry about it again.
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