1973 Ford Blower Motor Resistor - Expert Difficult Question?

I have a 1973 Ford Country Squire. The blower motor resistor needs replacing. The blower motor resistor is right next to the blower motor. It is located on the passenger side right by the wheel well and the hinge of the hood. It looks like it is held in with rivets? How do I remove it? Do I drill the rivets out and re-rivet the replacement in or do I need to remove the plastic housing around the AC unit and remove it from the backside? Thanks.