The illustrations show a later style front axle with an automatic "shift-on-the-fly" system, while earlier units have different axle mounting brackets and lack a vacuum shift motor and vacuum switching valves; however, the removal procedure for these models is generally similar. Begin by loosening the wheel lug nuts, raising the front of the vehicle, and securely supporting it on jackstands before removing the wheels. Next, remove the steering linkage, detach the front driveshaft from the front axle, and hang it out of the way with a piece of wire. Remove the left brake caliper and hang it out of the way, then take off the skid plate if equipped. Disconnect and remove the steering linkage as a single assembly, separate the left steering knuckle from the left upper control arm balljoint, and detach the vent hose from the front axle. Unplug the electrical connectors from the vacuum switching valves and vacuum shift motor, label and detach the vacuum hoses, and remove the switching valve mounting bracket and motor from the axle. Support the front axle assembly with a floor jack, then remove the four nuts attaching the axle mounting brackets to the frame and the eight bolts attaching the brackets to the ends of the axle assembly. With the axle mounting brackets detached from the frame and the axle assembly detached from the brackets, disengage the splined inner end of the left driveaxle from the axle assembly, carefully lower the axle assembly slightly, disengage it from the inner end of the right driveaxle assembly, and remove the axle. Installation is the reverse of the removal procedure, ensuring all brake, steering, and suspension fasteners are tightened to the specified torque, along with the wheel lug nuts.