First off, it's a 1989 XLT 4x2 automatic.

Carrier bearing is bad in mine, so I'm about to embark on the one piece drive shaft swap, rather than pay a shop over $500 to fix.

I will have some limited access to transportation during this conversion when I find out I have to run back and forth to machine shops or parts stores to complete this, but I'd like to keep that to a minimum, so here are my questions:

a. I'm assuming the extended cab is the same as a 'super cab', so if that's correct, from what I've read, an F87A-4602-PB will work, up until the rear axle flange. That will need to come off my current drive shaft and be welded on to the new one to account for the 2.5 inch bolt pattern. Correct? Or is there a direct swap part # that will work for an '89?

b. I'll need a grinding wheel to grind down the rivets and tabs in the frame to remove the crossmember, then I'll need to chisel and pound the hell out of the remainder of the rivets and the tabs so I can remove the crossmember. Is this really doable for a typical DIY-er in their driveway without an air chisel or other power tools?

c. What else am I not anticipating? An early heads-up would help me keep this thing driveable as much as possible!

Thanks!