well, i did the deed today, but i've been reading on the sites about all of the trouble you had to go through in order to get this bugger out and back in, this thing was a snap to do. maybe my runner was made by mechanics at heart, with some extra clearance, or something.
the removal of the batt term guard on the starter gave me the most trouble and it just pulled straight down. didnt have to remove the tire, fender baffle, just the starter. pulled it down thru the lower control arm (i assume thats where your supposed to extract it from).

 

I'm guessing since yours is 2wd, you have no diff/axles in your way and you slipped it out the lower control arm easier than a 4wd would have.

 

ah ha; i knew it was something, just couldnt put my finger on it.