I am in the middle of 4.88/truetrac install on my 86 and can't for the life of me remove the bolts on the T/C flange. I just slid the front half off for now, but am planning on temp driving it without a front diff. Does anyone have any pointers for removing these 4 stubborn bolts?

 

First, strap the driveshaft up out of the way, but loose enough to still turn.

Second, get one nut lined up good where you can get at it with a socket on an extension at the 6 o' clock position. Then put the transfer case in 4WD(HI/LO) and chock the rear tires and/or put the e-brake on tight. That'll keep it from turning on you, then you can just reef on it. These are pressed-in studs, so you don't need to worry about sneaking a wrench behind the flange either. Just shifting the transfer case in/out of 4WD a few times to get them all off.

I always use my 1/2" socket wrench with extensions for driveshaft nuts/bolts. Then need to be tight, just not breaker bar tight.

 

I've only been able to do it with two wrenches. With one going through one of the holes in the cross member to hold one end from moving and the other up above. You can only move the wrench a little bit at a time so it can be a bit slow but has always worked for me.