The ’00 has developed a motor oil leak around the torque converter dust cover. I presume it’* the rear main seal, that it is 1 piece and that it’* a PITA to replace.
Anyone have any suggestions / recommendations on easiest way to tackle it?

It probably isnt the main, it is just the end plate. most come loose or the gasket cracks or both. (mine was both). you still have to pull the tranny to fix this and it will take a couple quick oil changes because when you pull the cover, coolent gets into the oil pan.

Thanks for the reply.
So -- did you get by without changing your crank seal?
If I drain the block, will there still be water trapped that may get in the oil?

no need to touch any seals, all I needed was the end plate gasket, retorque the 12 bolts that hold the endplate on, 2 oil flushes, and coolent. I am trying to remember, but I am pretty sure if you drian the coolent, you are still going to get some in the oil. It might be possible to build some sort of "awning", for lack of a better term, that will intercept the coolent and direct it away from the oil pan. Like maybe duct tape a piece of plastic just below the endplate and drap it over the side of the oil pan. worth a try I quess.