2002 sonoma 4x4 pitman arm. Rediculous!

[billsc30]

I will be soon replacing the lower ball joints, idler arm and pit man arm on my 2002 GMC Sonoma 4x4. By the looks of things , i will have to remove the bolts from the steering box to get the arm off of the shaft. Has anyone else replaced this part on one of these and am I correct in my asumption that the stering box does indeed have to be raised? What college drop out thought up putting the end of the pitman shaft so close to the front cross member? As it sits, i cant even get a pitman puller in there to get the thing off. Any ideas?

Thanks, BillsC30 (1968 Chevy C30)