altogether in a matter of a few months i have done 4 lowers and 4 uppers (first the 98 and then the 97)

the hub doesnt NEED to removed but it helps a ton, the axle has to be motivated out of the way.

the best way to get through it is get yourself at least a 2.5 day span of where you can slowly take your time with it especially if your temper sensitive or never have done it before. I HATE doing them but once you do them once your pretty set

 

I did them on my 99, found all the information here searching. I would recommend a grinder definitely, and don't take the hub apart, its unnecessary.

I would recommend taking your time. I did one side one day and the other side the next day. Once the first side was done the other was a breeze. Just watch the stupid ABS sensors, they were what caused me the most headaches.

I took one out on one side and then when it was all back together it didn't get the proper reading. (This only applies if you have a 1998 or up, the ABS sensor is different on the older ones) I didn't take it out on the other side, I learned my lesson with the first. But if you have to take it out before you put it back in plug the hole and scrape as much rust and other crap off before you put the sensor back in, I had to take my sensor out about 5 times to get it right. Besides that you just need the right tools and the job goes pretty easy.