I used the seam ripper and carefully removed the zipper.
For some reason I thought the zipper would be longer, but
seeing it removed from the jeans.
MAYBE it is 5-6" long (didn't measure it).
I cut the denim as close around the pockets as I could.
In fact the only thing really left of the one pair I cut up
are the waist, inner & outer seams, front pockets, back
pockets, and the "carpenter" pockets oh yeah and the
belt loops.