Hey Brando,
Getting ready to teardown my 04's motor. Decided not to part it out, btw, at least not yet. Took the top end off and found that the cylinder was fine. It is my crank that is seized, both the big end and crank bearings. The pin was seized in the piston too. Sheesh.
Anyway, did you really think the case-splitter and crank install tool were necessary? My local guy says he never uses em. Just taps it apart and back together. This will be my first bottom end, so just looking for input.