hey guys I want to save some money this time around and do the front brake pads myself on the 96 2wd 12 valve {8800gvw} and I was wondering if there is a special tool or process to get this caliper off. This will be my first time doing the brakes so any advise would be greatly appreciated and super helpful!

 

Only "special" tool would be a 3/8" allan wrench for the two bolts that hold the caliper on.
I prefer the ratchet drive type.
Best to open the bleeder before you compress the caliper for the new pads rather than force the dirtiest fluid in the system back into the master cylinder.

You may want to think about replacing the pins also. At least clean and grease the old ones.

 

infidel saves yet another lost man in the world of diesel trucks! thank you and I will make sure the bleeder is open before I compress, my firend was saying something about a special tool and not to do anything until he gets home next week and well I have to get from A to B as loud as possible like the rest of the diesel nuts on here! thanks again infidel, how can I tell if the pins are bad, I imagine they will not move at all or it will be hard to move them.

 

Usually the rubber seals on the pin fall apart.
Not sure if you can buy the seals separately.

 

thanks for the info everything went smooth and I am back on the road!