I have a 85 Toyota front axle I want to put 4.88s in. 

you will need to remove the front tire, brake calipers, backing plate bolts, lockout hub, drive hubs, inner axle shaft (aka birfields) then the dozen or so 12mm bolts around the third member.  get the diff on a bench and use a impact with 32mm socket and loosen the pinions nut, now 17mm drops the carrier bearing retainer bolts, at this point the carrier will fall out.  NOW you should be able to put your hand on the pinion gear, put that 32mm socket back on whip that nut on off and pull it out and kiss it.
someone thats done it before will take 4 hours. someone who hasnt 8-10 hours