The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline How exactly do I "split" the U-joint and drop the torque tube? 51 3100

So I'm trying to pull the 216 and trans out of my 51 3100 w/ a 4 speed. I have the shop manual but obviously my reading comprehension is terrible and my forum search skills aren't much better...I need more pictures, I guess...
After fighting with this for about a day, I'm wore out and looking for help.
I removed the 4 capscrews holding the ball collar to trans. I removed the yoke to trans support to x-member mount bolts. The slip joint/collar and ball wouldn't move back very far so I loosened the felt packing retainer and with the gentle assistance of a pair of channelocks I got it to move about 1 1/2" at the top (yes I scraped all the grease off the torque tube first)... I can see the trunnion capscrews but it doesn't look like it's enough room to get to the locking tabs (easily) and get the bolts out and then have the u-joint separate so I can get the torque tube out of the way.
Am I on the right track? Am I close? Doing something wrong? Sorry, but this is my first time laying eyes on this type of setup and I'm lost...even with the shop manual.

Push the ball back forward. Clean the torque tube witha wire brush. I do mean really really clean the tube. The ball should slide back all the way to where the torque tube starts to flare larger.

Well, I really cleaned the torque tube good but it was still a no go for a bit. I resorted to using some emery paper until the tube was shiny and with a bit of persuasion, that worked. After that it was a breeze to undo the locks and bolts to pull apart the joint. Thanks for the tip.

OK, now that I have the joint apart... Since it's apart, I know I need to get a new gasket kit for the joint and some new bolts and locks, but should I go ahead and get a U-joint repair kit, or just try to clean up the one I have? At first glance it looks OK, but...

Thank you!

Here is the cover parts kit.

I'd used a new u-joint parts/repair kit

Presumably, you have read the instructions in the Shop Manual?
You have probably see the cover-gasket instructions in the Shop Manual?

Great! That's what I wanted to know... Yup, saw the instructions and such. Funny, but all those parts are a lot cleaner than the gunked up ones under the truck!!
Thanks again, all.
Most appreciated.