how to do a front disc swap?

[hpcgmc]

I've found a front end off a 77 Chevy pickup for a good price (I want the disc brakes and power steering). I've got to remove it from the chevy and bring it home. It's still mounted on the truck, and the truck is more or less stripped - no front fenders, grill or hood, but it does still have the SBC 350 mounted. What will it take to remove the front end (front crossmember - disc to disc). Do I need to remove or raise the engine?

I might also get the rear axle. It is a 5 lug leaf spring rear axle. What will it take to remove this axle? Looks pretty simple - remove the big U bolts and the leafs where they connect to the axle. Is it this simple?

This is my first restoration, so I'm trying to learn all I can before getting in the middle of a project and getting stuck. The parts truck is sitting in a field a half hour away, so I don't have the luxury of pulling the parts in my garage.

Thanks for any input.