[hounddogs!]

Does the 4WD have a two piece rear drive shaft? My 3/4T 2WD does. The procedure there was:

Spray all fasteners (cap screws at trans/diff, carrier bearing nut & bolt) with your favorite penetrating oil. I also shot the splined slip joint behind the carrier bearing.

Come back a couple of hours later and break the connection at the rear u-joint. You may need to rotate things to get the back of the drive shaft to drop, so put the back of the truck up on jack stands.

Tape around the u-joint so you don't lose the bearing caps and needles.

Pull the slip joint apart and remove the rear DS.

Loosen the carrier bearing nuts and break the connection at the front u-joint.
Tape up the front u-joint as before.
Remove carrier bearing hardware and slide the front DS forward to remove.