i've been able to successsfully edit the bloodelffemale mesh using the m2to3ds 2 script posted earlier today, saved it as a .3ds, converted it to a .m2 and placed it into a patch-x.mpq and had it load in WoW on a live server without the game crashing.
however, the mesh doesnt appear on screen at all and appears to be very very small.

i appear to be under a bed or desk or something now, i'm not sure where i left this toon earlier but it's in an inn somewhere.
I also can't move or zoom the camera in or out, though i think that's because i didn't click "import animations" as an option when importing the mesh into 3d studio.
i've got a couple of ideas on possible fixes that i'm going to go ahead and try while i'm at work today (next 4 and a half hours)
i'll keep you updated if i figure anything out.
-Joe