I am going to be replacing upper and lower ball joints and putting new shocks on. Will I need to compress the coil springs? Will I need to pull the 4wd drive shaft and should I look at new boots and seals?

When I am in there should replace bushings??? The truck has about a 145K miles on it.

 

No, the coils don't have to be touched, neither does the front driveshaft. I wouldn't automatically replace any bushings, but keep a watchful eye on looseness while you are in there. You will have to remove the front axleshafts, so inspect the axle joints. Put the truck in 4WD before you shut it off to start the repair, so the coupler in the disconnect housing will be engaged with the inside shaft and will not fall down when you remove the rt. axle shaft. One thing you may want to do while it's apart is replace the inner axle seals. It's still a lot more work, but you will be half way there. Either way, make sure you clean all the mud out of the axle tubes, or you will just push it into the seals when you slide the shafts back in. I made a scraper from threaded rod, 2 nuts, and a large washer.
Enjoy.

 

I check at Rock Auto and there are 2 part numbers...are they interchangeable...BCA # 5131 and 710241?

Also on some other posts needle bearings were mentioned should I be looking at replacing those to?...There is a bearing and seal kit.

 

On my 2001, I had to remove the differential to replace the axle seals.

Get a quality set of pickle forks.

Get a quality ball joint press.

An oxy/ace torch would be handy.

Go through the archives and read what is available on hub bearing removal if it applies to a 96.

 

Yes I believe there are 2 different seals. The left one is in the differential housing, and the right one is in the disconnect housing. They are different sizes. I don't think a 96 has needle bearings. Those were on the 1st gen. trucks with locking hubs. (different spindle design) On your truck, if you have the disconnect housing apart, make sure the two shafts meet there reasonably snugly. If not, there is a bushing in the axle tube and a pilot bushing in the end of the rt. axle shaft that may be worn. I wouldn't replace them unless necessary.