I just did this a few months ago without removing the dash.  I removed the
dash to do the heater core a while back so I had nothing else to do in
there.

there's a write-up someone did on thesamba:
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=401822

Although that thread is mostly about him putting in a bigger booster, it
still has some photos of the basic procedure.

(note: when you unbolt the clutch cylinder, you leave the lines attached so
no clutch bleeding should be necessary)

All in all I found it a bit of a pain but much nicer than removing the dash.

On Mon, May 7, 2012 at 10:15 AM, fonman4277@comcast.net <
fonman4277@comcast.net> wrote:

> I have a friend who replaced his power brake booster withOUT removing the
> dash. I'm still waiting for him to explain how he did it, I just don't see
> how it is possible.
>
> Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone
>
> ----- Reply message -----
> From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
> Date: Sun, May 6, 2012 19:58
> Subject: Dash removed/re-installed
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>
> At 07:30 PM 5/6/2012, Rocket J Squirrel wrote:
> >If anyone can think of anything else I should have done -- just keep it
> >to yourself. I'm not going back in unless something is broke.
>
> You didn't grease the clutch clevis?  It's sure to fail within a
> thousand miles now.  Better check out Alistair's method for greasing
> it without taking the dash out.
>
> Oh never mind, you've got an automatic.
>
> :->
> d
>