"The biggest unknowns for me right now are dealing with the torque tube so that it doesn't crush me... "
Mike,
To keep the torque tube from crushing you:
- place wheel chocks on both sides of the front wheels (2x4s would be OK)
- jack up the rear of the truck and put jack stands under the sides of rear axle housing
- disconnect the u-joint cover and slide backwards as far as possible (after cleaning outer torque tube until it shines)
- place a floor jack under the torque tube with a floor jack about 2 feet behind the u-joint
- raise the jack to support the torque tube
- disconnect the u-joint assembly, remove the joint, slide (gently hammer) the rear yoke as far rearward as possible
- you should now be able to jack up the torque-tube so the forward end is above the bottom of the frame rail
- cut a piece of 2x4 so that you can place it inside the frame rail side-to-side
- push the 2x4 rearward to hold the torque-tube securely up and out of your way
- place wheel chocks on both side of the rear wheels (2x4s would be OK)
- the transmission (3-speed or 4-speed) can now be easily removed/installed
- you can now safely work under the truck/drive-train
