Just got back to the computer. I drilled a few holes - seemed like it was really jammed in there, but got it out - no damage. Looks like clearance to mount a piggyback driver in there. Gonna order the TA-LDO series, probably the 22 mm size in 2 oz thin, so hopefully can use more than one for another light or two.
K, just ordered the boards!
For the plastic ring over the LED, I drilled one small hole and it came out easy. Boy, see what you mean - what a waste of output with all that blockage, and big thick alum MCPCB, tiny thin wires, super thin long driver spring. The driver electronics is extremely simple too. This is typical for Crelant - over sized heavy bodies, poor on the electronics, wasteful designs. I got a few Crelant models - all pretty much the same. Outdated tech wise, but ol school, in a good way, for the host/body.