First things first - I don't have a lift. This job is much easier on a lift, but totally do-able in the garage or driveway if you are patient and have a decent jack and some heavy duty jack stands. Its nice to have the axle off the ground so you can rotate the drive shaft to get to the 5/16 bolts that hold the factory unit on.

Removing the stock drive shaft wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for Jeep's choice to use a bunch of 5/16 bolts to hold it on. The 15mm bolts come right off with an impact. The 8 5/16 bolts would be fine if it weren't for the fact that they put the bolts so close to the inner ring of the flange that you can't get an impact in there. You basically have to use a 3/8 non-impact socket to get in there. I ruined two taking the front and rear shafts off. Way to go Jeep! Either way, the transfer case flanges are being replaced with this beautiful machined parts from Adams:



Check the Adam's flange vs. stock. Which would you prefer?